The stretch of the rectus abdominals is the divergence of both abdominal rectus muscles to the sides within the white line. It most often occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth, although it can also occur in men. How do you know if it's a stretch of rectal abdominal muscles? What are its symptoms? What is the treatment? When is surgery necessary? Which doctor should you go to with this condition?

Abdominal rectus muscle stretch(RMPB - diastasis musculorum rectorum) this isa separation ofboth abdominal rectus muscles to the sides within the white line . The rectus abdominis muscle is located in its center and is divided into two parts connected by a white line. The white line is a strong fibrous strand about 33 cm long and at least 10 mm wide, running centrally from the xiphoid process (the lowest of the three bones forming the human sternum) to the pubic symphysis. The muscles stick to each other along the white line - this is the norm. However, during pregnancy, most often in the last trimester, the white line may become flaccid and widened due to the increased secretion of hormones - relaxin and elastin - which soften the connective tissue. After delivery, the straight muscles do not always return to their correct position spontaneously. In this case, the diagnosis isstretch mark (divergence) of the rectus abdominis muscles.

Straight abdominal muscles stretch - causes and risk factors

The risk of diverging abdominal straight muscles is increased by:

It is important to eliminate exercises involving the oblique abdominal muscles by the end of pregnancy and in the first stage of the puerperium.

  • high birth weight of the child
  • multiple pregnancy
  • subsequent pregnancies
  • excessive work of the abdominal muscles in the last trimester of pregnancy - it should be eliminated by the end of pregnancy and in the first stage of the puerperium, especially exercises involving the oblique abdominal muscles. These muscles connect with the straight muscles through the fascia, and their terminal attachment is the white line. For this reason, exercises related to rotating or bending the torso to the side may cause the stretch mark to increase

Some of the reasons include obesity, but it has been noticed that divergence of the rectus abdominals is often seen in slim and slightwomen whose belly has grown a lot during pregnancy.

Some studies show that straight abdominal muscle stretch did not occur in women who used systematic abdominal muscle exercises before pregnancy, which suggests that abdominal muscle weakness may also be related to the occurrence of a stretch mark.

The cause ofstraight abdominal muscle stretch in menis obesity most often, especially of the (android) type, where fat is mainly accumulated in the abdomen. If a man often has a cough (because he is, for example, a smoker or is struggling with COPD), which raises pressure in the abdomen, then over time the white line simply cannot stand it and it stretches (divergence - stretch mark - straight muscles), and sometimes even a rupture (white border hernia).

Stretch of straight abdominal muscles - what is this ailment, how can it be diagnosed? Explains the physiotherapist Joanna Mróz from the Mother and Child Center in Pruszków

Straight abdominal muscles stretch - symptoms. How to check if it is a divergence of rectus abdominals?

Flabby and stretching of the connective tissue of the white line does not cause pain in others. A special test must be performed to identify rectal abdominal muscles stretch. Lie on your back and bend your legs at the knees. Feet remain on the ground. Then slightly raise your head - like doing sit-ups. Then with your hand, with your fingers pointing downwards, touch the abdominal muscles from the breastbone to the navel. If you feel a "hole" in your abdomen, you can put three or four fingers in it, it means that you suffer fromrectus abdominal muscle stretch.Many specialists recommend routine use of the RMPB test in the last in the third trimester of pregnancy and in the postpartum period from the 3rd day after physiological delivery and cesarean section.

Important

Straight abdominal muscles stretch - dangerous consequences

Proper abdominal muscle tension ensures that the abdominal organs are kept at the right height and causes the visceral pressure to be properly applied to the lumbar region of the spine. This prevents the worsening of lumbar lordosis and an increase in pelvic forward tilt. In the case of abdominal muscle stretch, this function may be disturbed, leading to the persistence of incorrect body posture and, consequently, to the occurrence of chronic back pain. In extreme cases, a hernia of considerable size may occur and the abdominal organs may move to it. Surgical treatment remains the only option .¹

Straight abdominal muscles stretch - which doctor to see?

With a stretch of straight abdominal muscles you should go toa physiotherapist dealing with the rehabilitation of pregnant and postpartum women.

Straight abdominal muscle stretch - treatment

If you find that your rectus abdominis muscles separate during pregnancy or after childbirth, it is recommended to limit the activities involving the abdominal press, such as lifting heavier objects.

Exercise can be introduced after the end of the puerperium period because you should not do strenuous physical exercises before it is finished.

The correct way of getting out of bed (lying on your side) or bending your knee and hip joints instead of bending your torso during other daily activities is also important.

In the treatment ofstraight abdominal muscle stretch marksyou can use the appropriateexercises . They can be introduced after the end of the puerperal period because you should not do strenuous exercise before it is over. After a physiological delivery or cesarean section, appropriate exercises are recommended from the 3rd day, 5 times a day, 10 repetitions in a series. They should be used until the stretch is reduced to approx. 1-2 cm. You can then carefully start the appropriate abdominal strengthening exercises, often testing the width of the white line .¹

What exercises for rectus abdominal muscle stretch? Explains the physiotherapist Joanna Mróz from the Mother and Child Center in Pruszków

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Pregnancy