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Mind the Gap (Part 2): How to Exercise with Diastasis Recti, Without Making It Worse

If Part 1 left you thinking, “Great… so what do I actually do ?” you’re not alone. We know more than ever about diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), and at the same time, we are still piecing together the full picture. What we do  know is this: You cannot “close the gap” with one magical exercise. You can, however, train your body to manage pressure, generate tension, move well, better input and reorganize . This is what improves function, and often, appearance follows. We w

Mind the Gap (Part 1): Diastasis Recti Abdominis

As curated social media images expand, stories of going from postpartum body to model abs are everywhere. They are compelling and hopeful. They are also incomplete. They do not reflect most experiences, and they do not answer many of the lingering questions about diastasis recti abdominis. What is diastasis recti abdominis and why do we care? Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a widening between the two sides of the rectus abdominis, often called the six-pack muscle. This sep

Battle Wounds: Postpartum Scar Management (C-Section and Perineal Healing)

No one tells you that the pain of childbirth does not always end with that final push. It also does not matter whether you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean birth. If you are among the roughly 10% of people who delivered without tearing, we salute you and your fairy child.* For the rest of us, here are practical, evidence-informed strategies for postpartum scar care. For many new parents, scars from delivery heal without intervention. However, in our clinic, we often see hype

The Art of Letting Go: Pelvic floor muscle down-training and relaxation

“Just relax” must rank as one of the most infuriating phrases in modern life. Relaxation sounds easy and does not require money or advanced degrees. And yet, when someone kindly tells us to “just relax,” our minds and bodies often ramp up, alerting even the highest achiever that not doing can be harder than doing. The pelvic floor relaxation addressed in this blog post relates to the treatment of overactive pelvic floor muscles . The goal is better described as pelvic floor d

Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain: What's going on?

Pregnancy is a time of rapid and remarkable change. The body adapts to support a growing baby, prepare for delivery, and transition into postpartum and breastfeeding. For many people, these changes happen smoothly. For others, they can come with discomfort, including pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Pelvic girdle pain can feel confusing, unpredictable, and limiting. If you are experiencing it, you are not alone. What is Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy? Pregnancy-related

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