"Core 4" Matters
Here are very common but ignored weakness issues women are dealing with postpartum. This is why ReCORE is recommended to do before returning to a typical exercise postpartum even if no injury is present postpartum. Ab Separation or Diastasis Recti is only one possible weakness. Other issues are: is the Transverse abdominal muscle (TVA) dormant or activating as it should? Is the TVA strong enough to stay engaged throughout more strenuous activity? Is the diaphragm in sync with the pelvic floor and TVA? Can the recuts abdomens generate core stiffness Does the client present with a more anterior tilt? This can be caused by weak abdominals and glutes. Keeping up core strength in pregnancy will help alleviate these issues but the stretched out core muscles still need to be strengthened and re-activated postpartum.
GOAL with ReCORE: Restore function and strength of the core/pelvic floor. While measuring the width is helpful for DR progress, it is not the key factor in what you can and can't do. Three different women can have the same degree of separation and one can have a very weak non functioning core, and the other can have a functioning core, but still weak and the third can have a strong functioning core. What matters is that women try to recondition the core the best they can and see how well the tissue responds. The muscles will respond first, the tissue usually responds next, and then women should work on progressively increasing their core strength and control so the core can handle harder/more vigorous exercise.
GOAL with ReCORE: Restore function and strength of the core/pelvic floor. While measuring the width is helpful for DR progress, it is not the key factor in what you can and can't do. Three different women can have the same degree of separation and one can have a very weak non functioning core, and the other can have a functioning core, but still weak and the third can have a strong functioning core. What matters is that women try to recondition the core the best they can and see how well the tissue responds. The muscles will respond first, the tissue usually responds next, and then women should work on progressively increasing their core strength and control so the core can handle harder/more vigorous exercise.
Diastasis Recti
Typical abdomen vs Diastasis Recti
Diastasis Recti is when the rectus abdominal muscles have stretched apart. This does not necessarily mean that the connective tissue between the abs is torn. There may have been some micro tearing, but usually it is just thinned, weakened and stretched out. Large tears may occur and can cause hernias. Diastasis Recti an abdominal separation of 3 or more fingerwidths. Most women get some degree of abdominal separation (usually 2 fingerwidths) after pregnancy. Most women are told the tissue can heal on its own, and while they can happen for some, it does not address the core coordination, strength and stability aspect without doing specific exercises. Many women have genetically weaker connective tissue and thus, getting abdominal separation to heal on its own is can be very difficult. The good news is most can improve it to at least a functional point with some reconditioning and splinting.
VIDEO - How do I measure for Diastasis Recti?
VIDEO - How do I measure for Diastasis Recti?
How does the FITsplint work?The FITsplint works as a flexible support and splint.
What is splinting? Splinting helps pull 2 muscles or joints close together. Temporarily splinting is helpful if a person is dealing with non functional diastasis recti or is recently postpartum, Splinting the abdomen helps relieve the stress on the stretched out connective tissue between the rectus abdominus muscles as well as aligns, loads and supports the tissue. FITsplint BENEFITS 1-Aligns muscle & tissue close together 2-Provides proprioceptive feedback 3-Gentle compression and proper load to tissue 4-Protects from further stress or strain 5-Supports the abdominal muscles FITsplint FEATURES 1-Allows full range of motion 2-Doesn't restrict breathing patterns 3-Easy to splint abs without increasing *pelvic floor pressure 4-Non-slip technology PATENTED *Pelvic floor pressure Increased pelvic floor pressure is caused several ways; by innappropriate use of core muscles and breathing (women can learn how to redistribute pressure with ReCORE) and tight restrictive material such as stiff corsets that constrict the abdomen and restrict full breaths. However, some intra abdominal pressure is good (in the abdominal cavity, not the pelvic cavity) and helps the core stabilize and protect the spine. The FITsplint provides the same amount of healthy pressure that occurs when a person engages their core correctly or the same amount of pressure that a woman would have if they didn't have diastasis recti. Wearing the FITsplint while combining corrective exercise provides the most optimal environment for recovery. Should I use the FITsplint? Maternity FITsplint - Women who need support for their back, bladder, belly, hips or ligaments can benefit from the FITsplint. Women who have diastasis during pregnancy can wear the FITsplint for support as well. Post-Natal FITsplint - Women who are immediately post-partum or women with abdominal separation 2 fingerwidths or larger can benefit from wearing the FITsplint for 4-6 weeks while doing corrective exercise (such as ReCORE) until tissue stops responding. |
Maternity FITsplint
Post Natal FITsplint
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