May 28, 2024
Time to get us all on the same page with a Diastasis Classification System. Adopting a more standard way of describing Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA) gives us communication clarity and understanding across continuum of providers (docs-nurse practitioners-midwives-physios/PTs/OTs-fitpros), social media influencers, and the public. Give it some thought. To be clear, this proposed Diastasis classification system […]
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February 18, 2020
“When should I think about my pelvic floor and breath in fitness, and when can I rely on it to happen automatically?” Always? Never? Some? This is a real time issue for female athletes returning to fitness or sport after pregnancy and delivery. My answer here represents the shift in thinking I hope to continue […]
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January 29, 2020
Our Find-A-Pro map is here! I consistently have individuals and practitioners reaching out asking if I know of pros in their area. So often I know there are probably awesome, talented folks who have taken my courses that would be a great fit, but I don’t know them personally or can’t recall their contact information. Voila….the Find-A-Pro map […]
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October 9, 2019
My latest ambition and push is to encourage women to get their baseline. By baseline, I mean know your own body prior to pregnancy. Measure the NORMAL, naturally occurring separation between the sides of your abdomen, now. We have a study that told us that women who have never had children can have up to […]
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March 13, 2019
Dear Diastasis Community-Can we talk about diastasis research? Recently, I returned to school to pursue my DPT (a clinical doctorate in physical therapy). My middle schooler and high schooler have assured me that it can’t possibly be as hard as what they are studying, so I am not allowed any whining. Which sucks because Pharmacology […]
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September 25, 2018
In a recent blog, we discussed a normal diastasis gap, a naturally occurring separation necessary for the function of the abdominal wall. Growing in our understanding of what is normal or natural before having children, can help us establish more appropriate rehabilitation and fitness expectations, programs and goals for pregnancy and pregnancy recovery (please read this […]
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September 3, 2018
What is a normal diastasis? One of my favorite things to do clinically is to reassure women that they don’t have a ‘diastasis’. And yes, I just used air quotes (written air quotes, but…not to be sarcastic, instead to ease women’s minds). I love telling them that yes, you have a gap, technically a ‘diastasis’. […]
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April 3, 2018
One of the tools I employ with my female athletes is to limit their overhead work if they are pregnant with a diastasis. Listen in for the reasoning behind this temporary boundary I set for my pregnant athletes who lift or exercise overhead. This is neither a rule or a formula, instead gain an understanding […]
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October 30, 2017
Q: Hi there, I was wondering if you would teach the “blow before you go” and lift the pelvic floor in pregnant women who don’t have any symptoms of pelvic floor issues? I mean if we do this to an already functional pelvic floor , wouldn’t we risk making it tighter? A: Great question. Before […]
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July 3, 2017
The water is getting pretty murky out there, and I am seeing and hearing a lot of confusion regarding this question: alignment (defined as a specific alignment, usually “neutral”, the use of an optimized position) or variability (adopting a variety of postures) for pelvic health or diastasis concerns. Unfortunately, these two ideas have been communicated […]
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