Diastasis in La Crosse
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Diastasis Recti in La Crosse
Living with abdominal separation, or diastasis recti, can be stressful and uncomfortable. The gap between your abdominal muscles causes your belly to stick out, you may deal with back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, and you don’t have the core strength you need for daily activities. If you’re a woman struggling with diastasis recti in the La Crosse area, pelvic floor physical therapy at O’Brien Physical Therapy & Wellness can help. Our experienced women’s health physical therapists are specially trained to treat diastasis recti and rebuild core strength.
What Exactly is Diastasis Recti?
Diastasis recti happens when the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis muscle separate, causing the belly to bulge. It’s common during pregnancy, affecting up to 60% of women by the third trimester, and over 25% still experience it a year after childbirth. Other causes include weight changes, certain exercises, and genetics.
Other symptoms include:
- Back pain and pelvic pain
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Core weakness or feelings of unstability
- Poor posture
- Aches when lifting objects or exercising
How Pelvic Floor PT Helps Diastasis Recti
At O’Brien Physical Therapy & Wellness, our women’s health physical therapists use a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to treat diastasis recti. We’ll perform an in-depth evaluation, then develop a customized treatment plan addressing your core weakness, muscle imbalances, posture, breathing patterns – all the factors related to your separation.
Your program will include:
- To improve the coordination of abdominal muscles
- Breathing retraining to properly brace and support the core during movement
- Postural correction and body mechanics to alleviate back strain and enhance alignment
- Manual therapy to improve muscle tissue quality and mobility around the abdomen and pelvis
- Pelvic floor rehabilitation to resolve bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction
Benefits of Pelvic Floor PT for Diastasis Recti
- Our cutting-edge techniques and women’s health expertise set O’Brien Physical Therapy & Wellness apart from “one-size-fits-all” therapy programs. Diastasis recti patients see life-changing results, including:
- Pain reduction: With a stronger, properly functioning core and healthy alignment, most patients experience significantly less back, hip and pelvic pain.
- Improved posture, balance and stability: A strong core enhances movement efficiency, balance and stability for everyday activities plus recreation and exercise.
- Restored urinary/fecal continence: We address any related pelvic floor dysfunction to reduce leaking and urgency.
- Less strain on the spine, hips and pelvis: Proper core and breathing mechanics significantly reduce compensation patterns and strain throughout the body.
- Lasting results: We equip patients with customized “mine for life” core and breathwork programs to maintain gains from therapy long-term.
Beth Kirchner
“Life changing! I have never worked with a team so willing to listen and help me reach my goals, cheering me on the entire way. OBT is a game changer!! Absolutely the best! Small changes = big impacts!! I cannot thank them enough for giving me the tools I needed to improve my physical AND mental well being.”
Polly Berendes
“The team at O’Brien Physical Therapy is knowledgeable, empathetic, and go above and beyond to ensure they are providing exceptional care. I am an active woman in my 40’s – I run about 30 miles a week, bike, and lift weight. I have seen Chelsea and Jill for a variety of things including pelvic health, physical therapy for aches and pains related to running, shoulder and back pain, and runner’s boot camp. Each one goes the extra mile to ensure they understand what my needs are and help me achieve my health goals. I feel so comfortable with anyone at OPT, knowing I will be cared for and able to still do the things I love and remain healthy.”