What causes Diastasis Recti in Men and How to Treat It?
The excruciating pain in your abdominal muscles might be a symptom of diastasis recti. As an ailment, diastasis recti in men makes it difficult to perform day to day activities.
Activities such as sitting down, walking, carrying things or bending can cause extreme discomfort.
Diastasis recti in men does not involve any life risks. It is an undesirable condition that leads to agitation. It is even more discomforting for older adults as bones grow stiff with age. Also, senior adults have multiple disorders.
They have no more energy or strength to bear the affliction. As observed, fat people are more prone to diastasis and abdominal pain induced by it. If you are looking for diastasis recti treatment, you are at the right place.
Related Reading: Epigastric Pain: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
Diastasis Recti in Men: What Does It Mean?
It is okay if you are not very familiar with the term ‘diastasis’ and all that comes along with it. The word diastasis is of Greek origin which means ‘to separate.’
Diastasis rectus is a medical condition, in which outermost abdominal muscles of rectus separate out. The connective tissue stretch sideways when abdominal muscles suffer too much pressure. The gap of these stretches can be of one inch or more and is entirely visible while doing sit-ups.
Under normal circumstances, these muscles run parallel from breastbone to pubic bone. As they fall apart, a bulge appears around the belly which is the primary sign of diastasis recti. Bulging belly can often be misdiagnosed as weight gain.
Symptoms of Diastasis Recti in Men
Diastasis recti appear like a ridge moving from the belly button to breastbone. In men, it depicts specific signs which you should not ignore. Some of the symptoms include:
- Lower back pain
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Poor posture
- Leakage of urine which can lead to infection and difficulty in breathing
- Problems in carrying out routine daily life activities such as sitting, bending, etc
The absence of proper, timely treatment can lead to a hernia. If you are sure of diastasis recti and have above like symptoms, treat it at the earliest. Exercise is the best natural remedy to treat diastasis and relieve its symptoms.
What Causes Diastasis Recti in Men?
Causes leading to diastasis recti in men can be several like too much pressure on the abdomen, or it can be genetic. What are the others?
1. Wrong Exercising Postures
Abdominal straining workouts may put a lot of pressure on your ventral bones. Men who do such exercises are at a higher risk of diastasis recti.
Rigorous workouts won’t help you maintain your body in shape or keep you healthy. Instead, it will ruin the structure and fitness of your body.
You must learn proper techniques and postures for weight lifting, sit-ups, etc. It will reduce the pressure on your abdomen.
2. Excessive Abdominal Fat
Unlike women, men easily acquire excessive weight or fat which concentrates on the tummy.
Excessive abdominal fat increases the pressure on your ventral muscles. Eventually, this causes separation which leads to diastasis recti.
3. Medical History
One’s medical history and family traits predict the probability of acquiring the disorder. If your ancestors or other family members have complained of it, the possibility is you might too.
How to Treat Diastasis Recti in Men?
Today there are many treatments for curing diastasis recti in men for which you should take an expert’s advice.
A health expert will diagnose the condition before prescribing any therapeutic procedure. Carefully watch out for symptoms mentioned above to identify diastasis recti.
Here are some diastasis recti treatments:
1. Surgery
An operation or surgery will help you eliminate diastasis recti. The surgery can be conventional, laparoscopic, or endoscopic.
Traditional procedure involves an incision in the abdomen. In general, the process of abdominoplasty or tummy tuck means removing the excess fat or skin.
Complications such as collection of fluid under the skin, minor skin loss, hematomas, wound infections, rupture of the wound, pain after surgery or nerve damage may occur. In 60% of the cases, people heal with the surgical treatment.
2. Bracing
Bracing on the abdominal and lower back region is a technique to treat diastasis recti in men. It provides the right posture to your body, for exercising, and also helps you with the pain.
3. Exercise
Exercise is one of the natural ways to eradicate diastasis recti. But one should also be careful and should perform the workouts correctly.
Follow proper postures and techniques to prevent the condition from worsening. Some of these activities you can consider are:
Exercise 1: Concentric Contraction with Pelvic Floor
Lie straight on the leveled surface with your knees and hips bent. Slowly inhale and exhale the air.
Pull your navel towards your spine and tighten pelvic floor. Relax for some time then repeat it at least for 15 reps.Do it twice or thrice a day.
Exercise 2: Diastasis Recti Correction with Towel
Loop a long towel or sheet under back and criss-cross over the lower abdomen.
Then inhale. Pull in the navel, pull tight across belly then exhale the air, raise head towards the chest and hold for three seconds and then relax for three seconds.
Repeat it at least fifteen times twice or thrice a day.
Exercise 3: Diastasis Recti Correction with Hands – Type 1
Put hands on the lower abdomen. Inhale. Pull in the navel and push abdomen muscles together.
Exhale the air and raise head towards the chest, hold for three seconds, take rest for another three. Repeat 15 times for about two-three times a day.
Exercise 4: Diastasis Recti Correction with Hands – Type 2
Sit down on the floor with your hands on the abdomen. Now, contract your abdominal muscles while taking short breaths. Hold onto this position for 30 seconds. Repeat it ten times a day.
Diastasis recti in men is not fatal but can become severe if ignored. It gradually grows over time and may lead to hazardous health conditions.
It can lead to weakened muscles, and the separation may reduce the strength and ability of a person. Timely treatment will help restore the power of the muscles, making them healthy once again.
Sources:
Strange, K., “Diastasis Recti Exercises for Men,” Live Strong web site, July 18, 2017; https://www.livestrong.com/article/301810-diastasis-recti-exercises-for-men/.
Lockhart, T., “Diastasis Recti in Men: Possible Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Tips,” Doctor’s Health Press web site, May 29, 2017; https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-articles/diastasis-recti-in-men/.
Connor, E., “What You Should Know About Diastasis Recti,” Health line web site, July 11, 2016; https://www.healthline.com/health/diastasis-recti-in-men#overview1.
“Causes and Treatments of Diastasis Recti Among Men,” New Health Advisor web site, November 20, 2017; http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/diastasis-recti-in-men.html
