Diastasis: Physiotherapy assessment and treatment

G. Donnelly. POGP CONFERENCE 2018 Diastasis rectus abdominis: physiotherapy management. Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy, Spring 2019, 124, 15–19

This acronym was developed by Grainne Donnelly,  as a proforma for assessing and managing diastasis. The acronym covers the key areas of assessment:
1.Person - understanding who you are treating and their personal journey
2.Posture
3.Patterns (of movement - eg. abdominal bracing)
4.Respiration- (is breathing optimal for core recovery?)
5.Ribcage (assess compensatory strategies, flaring, asymmetry, infrasternal angle)
6.Load (assessing the abdominal wall with different types of load)
7.Defect (Are there any other defects? eg hernia)

Assessing each of these areas will help you identify factors that could be contributing to an ongoing diastasis. Addressing any compensatory strategies, suboptimal breathing, altered movement patterns and postural changes will ensure your rehab is bespoke and address the function of the abdominal wall, not just the gap.

This is such a great road map for how to approach diastasis holistically and FUNCTIONALLY. If you treat diastasis go read it!!!
You can read the full article here:
"Donnelly G. (2019) Diastasis rectus abdominis: physiotherapy management. Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy 124 (Spring), 15–19.