Why Men Get Diastasis Recti

In men - we typically see a few pretty consistent scenarios that lead to Diastasis Recti:
1️⃣ Men who have done a lot of situps, crunches, crossfit or traditional exercises in which they have done A LOT of forward-bending exercises which leads to the overdevelopment of the outer most abdominal muscles (those quintessential “washboard abs”) without the balance and strength of the internal muscle.
2️⃣ Bracing, pushing, or holding their breath due to chronic constipation, chronic respiratory problems that include a lot of coughing, lifting with poor posture and poor strategies that causes a forward forceful pressure strategy.
3️⃣ Men with very tight upper body/pectoral muscles due to sitting for long periods of time (working at a computer, driving, etc.) which then causes their ribs to flare when they stand putting their connective tissue in a VERY compromised and stretched position.
Watch Kelly Dean, MPT, founder and functional core specialist at The Tummy Team talk more about why men get Diastasis Recti.
Our online clinically-proven courses provide you will our most comprehensive rehab approach and will step by step take you through the clinically proven Tummy Team rehab approach to restore your core and pelvic floor, relieve your pain and help you reclaim the life you were meant to live. This option is perfect if you are struggling with daily symptoms of functional core weakness: low back pain, diastasis recti, pelvic floor dysfunction, weak collapsed posture, pelvic instability, or GI trouble and you are ready to resolve these issues once and for all.
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[@el_aleman]

I got my DR from years of heavy dead lifts and clean and press with a tight leather weight belt ...after a few doctor and PA visits I was told it was from being overweight (sure) and just live with it ...try being a fit male and not being taken serious with DR So Thank You for this video

[@ThetummyteamWA]

You're welcome, Michael! I'm so sorry the health professionals in your life responded this way. Please let us know if we can support you in any way!

[@pauljones7682]

Great information

[@billkeegan3566]

Very informative Thanks

[@geneercolino4159]

You've done more for me in this video than Primary. .Emergency. .and Gastro docs could do. Guess it helps to care about cures more than billing. . .Thankx

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi Gene, I wanted to check in to see how you are doing?

[@larrynance9361]

I just came across your video and nailed my exact issues. I am a senior now, but most of my younger years i have always been active including holding my abs tight. I noticed the domed abdominals about 4 years ago and didn't know how the heck it developed. I will definitely check out the recommended website.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hey Larry, for some reason this comment just hit our inbox! I am so sorry. Did you take a look at our Core Foundations for Men course? online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@IvanaChapman]

Good points! I've had two male clients with DR recently. Both had a history of frequent crunches and planks as part of their training.

[@Fitshape_Gym_MuswellHill]

Great video. Question = in your opinion are pelvic floor contractions beneficial when working the transverse muscle ?

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi Ivana, for some reason this comment just came through to our inbox. I am so sorry. Did you find the support you needed from our site? Check out online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

@@Fitshape_Gym_MuswellHill So sorry for the really long delay, we were not getting these comments. The Transverse and Pelvic floor have a co-contraction. We work on upright TA work and neutral pelvis first then bring the focus to including the pelvic diaphragm. Often because of the alignment work we do and the effectiveness of upright TA work the PF is already making huge improvements.

[@dennispatchett9806]

I’ve recently been diagnosed with diastisis recti and haven’t had any help in this condition probably had it a few years and kept complaining about weakness and pains in my stomach and lower back then I noticed the bulge so got it checked out with a Gastro surgeon and they gave the diagnosis Your explanation has been very helpful thanks so much

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi Dennis! I am so glad. Did you try Core Foundations for Men?

[@Mentaltruckr]

Finally figured something out by watching this video. Thanks.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Sorry for the delay, we just received this comment. We have a comprehensive rehab approach for men including exercise, rehab strategies, posture retraining, etc and it is very effective. Check out Core Foundations for Men. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@HoffAppFarm]

Oh my...so spot on! My wife (a nurse) mentioned this as a possible issue I'm dealing with when I told/showed her this centerline bulge in my stomach when I do crunches. I'm doing a 12 week dumbbell workout via BeachBody, of which abs is a small portion of the workouts. Additionally, I've been having lower back pain, prostate pressure, a feeling of an upset stomach when I eat (not over eating, just eating)...all of the things mentioned. I'm so glad I came across this...thank you!!!! I just turned 51 and was afraid I was doomed...I have gained about 20 pounds since the start of COVID and am working on dropping that. My job (remote technical writer) doesn't help much as I sit all day. Is it possible to continue with the dumbbell workout (leaving out the ab portion) and using some of the recovery techniques here? I also run and bike...as long as I'm cognizant of not exacerbating the issue, can I continue those workouts? Thanks!

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hey Joshua! Did you get the support you needed? Did you try Core Foundations for Men?

[@HoffAppFarm]

@@ThetummyteamWA thanks! I gave it a try but need to go back to it...I'm sadly completely off any workout schedule (running, weights) at the moment and it's frustrating me. I'll be diving back in this week...thanks!

[@GStaxxx86]

I have had this condition since I was a small child. I'm 36 now and I have tried numerous methods over the years to fix it with no luck.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi there, have you looked into our Core Foundations for Men course? online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men Or we could do a series of eSessions to help you personally. We have a very high success rate and we would love to help you.

[@JoshuaCherry]

I was recently diagnosed with this a few weeks ago and the PA said it was something I have to live with now. I see there are exercises to help, but your website keeps throwing 404 errors.

[@andyg4490]

The core foundation for men link doesn't work. Has it been deleted or moved? I am 70 and have DR from weight gain after several knee surgeries and am in need of learning the correct exercises to do.

[@RandomShart]

I have this, in my 40s now, but got it in my early 30s, I remember the exact moment, I was riding a large (250kg) motorcycle and as I came to a stop the road surface was uneven and I misplaced my foot, the bike started to fall but I caught it and as I was straining with the weight pulling it back upright I felt this really sharp pain in my abdomen and then noticed the bulging when sitting up from bed etc. I thought I had a hernia, so I saw a gastroenterologist a few years back and he said it was Diastasis Recti and that nothing could be done. He did say there are some (what he considered to be) cosmetic surgeries that stitch back the abdominal lining but they routinely fail and it comes back, so he wouldn't recommend doing it. I'm interested in the program but would like to know what is your success rate of repairing the abdominal wall by using this routine? How many men bought the course and how many reported that their abdominal wall is now repaired (no more bulges etc)? Thanks.

[@matthewmcknight5621]

Had several surgeries. Hands inside my belly rearranging and stretching. Been years trying to recover core strength

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Yes that can make it really hard. We address trauma and disconnect in all of our courses and have a specific step by step plan to help you restore what you have lost. Check out our men's collection: course.thetummyteam.com/mens-collection/ . We can help no matter how long it has been.

[@frankyforearmsnycnh1]

Will doing pullups make DR worse?

[@kyotikk6761]

I'm a 19 year old male who has done calisthenics and lots of exercise most of his teenage years. In the middle of the night in December I woke up to a terrible pain (felt like a string in the middle of my abs, as if it were going to snap.) I went to get an MRI (this is 3 months later, I have stopped working out due to the pain) And was told I have Diastasis Recti (18mm) and this just confuses me! I felt as if the strength in my core should've been more than enough to prevent this! When I was a kid I already got this weird string snap feeling before but it would go away after 2-3 days, its been months now and I can still feel sensitivity in my bellybutton, any working out brings it that sharp pain again and then I feel like I can barely move my abs (leaning back) and become bedridden for 2-3 days in tons of pain. I am in the worst shape I've been in my life now and I want to know what could've happened, and what I can do to fix it. Thank you.

[@jgoldian47]

what exercises can be used to fix this? i have it and i seen a doctor and said i can continue my normal activities as long as i have no pain which i don't i want to strengthen and develop my abdominal but not sure what precises to perform

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Sorry for the delay, we just received this comment. We have a comprehensive rehab approach for men including exercise, rehab strategies, posture retraining, etc and it is very effective. Check out Core Foundations for Men. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@invisiblekid7374]

I just found I have this a few months ago. I believe I got it from falling asleep sitting toward due to medication. Now when I sit forward it feels like my insides are being squished. I’ve been through the ringer with tests because my dr thought I had a hernia at first but none of the images from an X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan show any signs of a hernia. Is it common for DR to cause pain??

[@ThetummyteamWA]

I am so sorry, we just received this comment. I would love to still help you if you still need support. DR rarely causes a lot of pain right at the location, maybe some stretching or twinges. I can be connected back pain, other abdominal pain, pelvic pain etc as your body compensates for weakness. Have you considered our Core Foundations for Men course? online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@jessiopez5827]

How do I fix it?

[@evilways961]

Why men get Diastasis Recti- Bending down and picking up an old crippled 140lib dog at an odd angle not able to use your legs and only lifting from the hips to carry him down the stairs and outside. Flet like a balloon expanding in my upper stomach. I have been living with this for about 6 years, even went to the doctor right afterwards because I thought it was a hernia... and was told it nothing. Only figured this out week ago that I actually had this Diastasis Recti [maybe]. Normally I am thin but do to all the stuff recently [covid/lockdowns/not going out as much/ put on some weight so started doing setups to work on my stomach. Noticed the coning when I do a setup and it was extreme.... like a 3 inch shark fin sticking out of my stomach. I knew this wasn't normal, so I looked it up myself. I could have this, or not.. maybe just my stomach muscles just got weak. I don't seem to have a GAP... just coning. If I check for a gap my stomach is rock hard. I went and bought a vest type wrap to wear when I exercise just in case.... Looked at a lot of the exercises for this DR.. not really doing it for me.. or would take 20 years. I am just going to exercise with the compression vest on.. it has two straps on the side overlapping the stomach also. Might work, might not.. I don't have 20 years to fix this.. I don't even have a year and I am not going to be gutted in an operation either. I have a checkup at the Doc's in a few months I will have her look at it then.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Sorry for the delay, we just received this comment. We have a comprehensive rehab approach for men including exercise, rehab strategies, posture retraining, etc and it is very effective. Check out Core Foundations for Men. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@Redbeardblondie]

I have just now found out what this is called, but I developed it in the last 6 years or so in my mid-twenties.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Sorry for the delay, we just received this comment. We have a comprehensive rehab approach for men including exercise, rehab strategies, posture retraining, etc and it is very effective. Check out Core Foundations for Men. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@paulmcgarr6557]

I've had a protruding from my belly when I did situps and similar movement (like a whale surfacing) since I was a child. Now that I am in my 50s it is there all the time. It is very firm. Should I be worried?

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi Paul, Yes this is a very typical story. You likely have developed a muscles imbalance between the internal and external abdominal muscles and the chronic pressure on the connective tissue has stretched it out. This is exactly what we treat at The Tummy Team. Check out our Core Foundations for Men- online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men It happens to be on sale til May 19th. We would love to help you.

[@skinfiddler]

My Doc seems to think it's no big deal (but I do) I have tried for six months to improve this through various exercises and they have not helped.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi JW. I’m so sorry your doctor isn’t taking your DR seriously. We are actually dedicating all of July to educate and empower health professionals to support their communities. We do have a comprehensive online core rehab program designed specifically for men - Core Foundations for Men: online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men This course is ideal for functional core weakness, lower/mid/upper back pain, diastasis recti, bulging tummy, sciatica, sacroiliac instability, rib pain, mild abdominal hernias, post prostate surgery recovery, post abdominal surgery rehabilitation. If after doing further research, you are still unsure what program might be right for you, you can always book an eSession with Kelly to talk about what your best options might be: online.thetummyteam.com/esessions/ Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

[@Lithonion1]

I got mine from surgery after removing my left kidney due to cancer. When I was able to get back to some basic exercise is when I noticed it. Right where they cut me to insert a camera is where mine is at.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

yes, abdominal surgery is a trigger for DR in many cases. We would love to help you fully heal. Have you looked into our Core Foundations for Men course? online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@aliman1146]

Easy to explain why I got it. My trainer had me doing plank exercises with my forearms on a ball for an ab workout. On my third extension (rolling the ball away from me) on the ball it felt like my guts were falling out and that was that. I ruined my stomach by trying to train my stomach.

[@joelandersson6019]

How are You now? Have You managed to get help?

[@aliman1146]

Unfortunately no help. I just found out what it was within the last few weeks by accident. I always just thought it was an umbilical hernia but I've had that hernia before and it was never like this domed belly thing. I've had it since 2017.@@joelandersson6019

[@Archaeodrasil]

​@@aliman1146I've noticed mine just a month ago, I've been using a rowing machine and that may be the key to helping me. I'm trying to strengthen my lower back and reduce fat and see how that helps. Hope you find a solution, and share it with us buddy

[@albert75911]

I have diastasis recti. My question is: If I play golf would it hurt me in the long run? In other words is golf the wrong physical activity with this condition?

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi Albert, golf can be difficult when you have a DR and can make it worse. But we can also help you rehab your core and work on your golf technique and both will improve. Sorry for the delay, we just received this comment. We have a comprehensive rehab approach for men including exercise, rehab strategies, posture retraining, etc and it is very effective. Check out Core Foundations for Men. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@sirlancenotalot2765]

I need help with this condition. I’m 44 years old and have always been physically active and in shape. But this is now really restricting me with bad backs etc. Plus the bulge is really getting on my nerves :(

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hey there, for some reason we just got your comment in our inbox (a year later). We would love to help you! We work with a lot of men in this same condition and have a really good success rate. Check out our Core Foundations for Men online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men Let me know if you have more questions.

[@BenThrockorton]

I am 57 and my job requires me to sit for 12 hours a shift looking at multiple computers. I noticed this bulge when sitting up in bed a couple months and was concerned. I had already had a small ambilocal hernia so I went to a Doctor and got set up for a CT. I was able to see the spread on the CT. Now just waiting for the specialist to get me in for a consultation. I had to pay for the CT so I am at least going to get the small ambilocal hernia taken care of.

[@MemoTraining]

Same bro! Any news? ai had small hernia above belly button, then noticed same as you one day. mad

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hey Ben, we just got this comment in our inbox (a year later!!!). Can we help you? Have you looked at our Core Foundations for Men course? online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men We work with men in your situation all the time. We would love to help you.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

@@MemoTraining We would love to help you. This is our speciality. Check out our Core Foundations for Men course. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@naveenlife7721]

I have both rib flare and diastasis recti what should I do.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi Naveen. We've helped many clients with similar symptoms. You are not alone. I would recommend checking out our Core Foundations for Men program here: online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@jerrydias1651]

I am only 27 yrs old and i have this, what should i do to correct this, pls help 🙏

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi Jerry, we can totally help you. We have a comprehensive rehab approach for men including exercise, rehab strategies, posture retraining, etc and it is very effective. Check out Core Foundations for Men. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@mooganstooker2419]

It seems like you can't do much of anything one you have DR.

[@drumwish2010]

I NEED YOUR HELP DESPERATELY!!!

[@actionjackson1312]

They Need your Money, or they dont help you ;)

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Sorry for the delay, we just received this comment. We have a comprehensive rehab approach for men including exercise, rehab strategies, posture retraining, etc and it is very effective. Check out Core Foundations for Men. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men We would love to help you! Please reach out to us at Thetummyteam.com and see how we can help.

[@drumwish2010]

this will reconnect even if its severe?

[@ThetummyteamWA]

Hi Alan. Severe DRs can absolutely be healed. We have worked with clients of varying severities with great success. You can learn more about The Tummy Team here: online.thetummyteam.com and our Core Foundations for Men program here: online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men Please feel free to reach out if you need any additional support.

[@markvargas5926]

@@ThetummyteamWA what if I’m not from where you’re at could you still help

[@ThetummyteamWA]

@@markvargas5926 yes, we are completely online

[@shefchenko111]

I've been working out on my abs, but I only get a bulge... :(

[@ThetummyteamWA]

It is not what you think. It is not traditional core work that fixes this. We have a comprehensive rehab approach for men including exercise, rehab strategies, posture retraining, etc and it is very effective. Check out Core Foundations for Men. online.thetummyteam.com/core-foundations-for-men

[@JulietsMan]

i got DR cuz im SO HOT. I mean i am good. i am definitely alpha.

[@dragoninwinter]

Sounds like I did it all wrong. lol

[@ThetummyteamWA]

You are so not alone in that feeling! That's why we are so passionate about providing these resources to our community. Let us know if we can help in anyway!

[@waynerichardson414]

I'm sorry but the research shown by surgeons is that surgery is the way to permanently correct Diastasis Recti. There is no exercise that will correct the condition, it may help make it look less noticeable for a while, but it is not permanent.

[@ThetummyteamWA]

The research is outdated. Clinically we have helped thousands of men heal and stay strong for years after the initial rehab approach. We would love to help you.