Can physiotherapy help with diastasis?
Yes, but its role must be distinguished from that of surgery. A rehabilitation programme can help improve:
Trunk control
Better management of movement and posture.
Muscle coordination
More effective activation of the deep muscles.
Abdominal pressure
Optimal management of exertion and increases in pressure.
Wall awareness
Awareness and conscious activation of the abdomen.
Functional problems
Reduction in certain symptoms related to core stability.
Physiotherapy may be considered before surgical treatment and is essential after surgical treatment, but no specific programme is currently identified as superior to the others.
Rehabilitation and anatomical reconstruction are not the same thing
Rehabilitation focuses on muscle function and wall control. When, however, there is a significant anatomical alteration of the midline, particularly if associated with hernias, a surgical assessment is necessary to establish whether reconstruction is indicated.