I would say nearly 100% of the clients I see for a diastasis recti that HAVE SEEN a doctor or surgeon specifically about their diastasis recti are TOLD that they need surgery.
WHY?
First of all, doctors learn about diastasis recti for 1 paragraph to 1 page in med school. Thats it. Its not what they DO, its not what they specialize in. Its not where they make their bread and butter. The 2 second solution is to refer their patient to a surgeon. Also, its most likely what they learned to do in residency – REFER TO A SURGEON.
I have found MOST do not know how to measure a diastasis recti.
They few that THINK they know how to measure, often measure incorrectly, or insufficiently.
I have had some clients that get a CAT SCAN to find out what their diastasis recti measures – SO NOT NECESSARY!!!
I had one client whose diastasis was 1 on top, 1 in the middle, and 1 on the bottom (measured in fingerwidths) who was told SHE NEEDED SURGERY. I was literally incredulous! That is practically malpractice!
Diastasis Recti are VERY COMMON – UP TO 98% of postpartum women have a diastasis recti. So ODDS ARE if you are reading this, YOU HAVE ONE and can benefit from doing exercises that will close your gap, bring in your waistline, and put your organs back into their correct position.
Same things with Hernias! Julie Tupler was at the Hernia Conference AGAIN this year, promoting the Tupler Technique as an ALTERNATIVE TO SURGERY FOR HERNIAS!!! In her words, “Its “Mesh” and ME [at the hernia conference]. (Mesh meaning the companies that sell mesh to the surgeons). Hernias can VERY VERY often be poked back INSIDE the connective tissue by bringing the recti together, and healing your connective tissue THROUGH the Tupler Technique.
So before you spend THOUSANDS of dollars and THOUSANDS of hours and minutes in pain and recovering, LEARN THE TUPLER TECHNIQUE!
My next post I will highlight some case studies about this!
Have you been told you needed surgery? Did you look for other options once you were told you needed surgery for a diastasis recti or hernia?
I was asked today if you can do these exercises while pregnant. Since so many people have asked this lately – I thought I would chime in here – YES!!!!
You SHOULD do these exercises while pregnant to keep the recti from splitting!!
Also YES you can splint while pregnant. If everyone did the exercises and splinted while pregnant, it would eliminate TONS of diastasis recti!! And you would have a better pregnancy, stronger muscles and a better birth and pushing!
After #3 I went to a surgeon about “my bulge” and was told that I needed surgery.
I have been reading your blog and doing Lindsey Brin. I have yet to buy the band, but one day I’ll get there!
Thanks for all the information!
Yes! All surgeons think surgery is the only way to go, unfortunatly. Of course, they are a little biased, since that is WHAT they do.
However, if you let the body do the proper things it needs to do to HEAL ITSELF – IT WILL!!!!!
They connective tissue in between the recti ACTUALLY HEALS as you bring the two halves of the recti together through the Tupler Technique (rather than artificially sewing weak muscles together, so to speak).
Quick question…I am 5 foot 3 inches and was a wonderfully in shape ballerina before I had my 1st son in February of 2011. He was an enormous 9 1/2 pounds at birth and stretched my abdomen out quite bad. I do have diastasis recti and what I believe to be a herniated belly button and some wrinkled skin above my belly button. I am now 6 months pregnant with my second child and plan on doing the Tupler program and my question is…will this help with my loose and slightly wrinkled belly skin??
How do I spread the word on what great support is out there? I’ve been searching since my first baby 3 years ago on how to repair this, physical therapists, midwives and no one had a clue. I finally got my butt in gear after baby #2 (they were 8lbs 12.5oz and 8lbs 6oz that my 5’3″ fram couldn’t handle and have a 4-5-2 DR). I’ve just started the Tupler Technique and already seeing results. I want to help spread the word, get information to my midwife and chiropractor so they can help inform other women that there is a fix!!!
Hi Kayla! Closing your diastasis will improve the look of the belly in general. Skin will lay differently over muscles that have been brought together rather than laying strangely over connective tissue with the organs protruding against is and the muscles of the recti off to the side.
Skin TAUTNESS is more age and genetics. But I am a big advocate of organics virgin coconut oil to put over that to heal the connective tissue of the skin itself, and also on my site you can purchase contouring cream (right hand side, scroll down) which can also help with the skin integrity.
Hi The Huffs,
YES! Great question! You can go to diastasisrehab.com and look under licensed professionals in your area. Maybe there is one nearby. Blogging or various forums and boards can also be a huge tool!
Word of mouth can be a powerful thing, especially when much of the medical community can be a little locked in their own approach to things. Also – you can become a licensee yourself if you have the inclination if you are a CPT, PT, Midwife, Doctor or RN 🙂