Diastasis Rectus Abdominis
Diastasis means the separation of parts of the body that are normally joined together. Diastasis rectus abdominis is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscle, commonly known as the “six pack” muscle. The separation is actually caused by a stretching of connective tissue known as the linea alba. The linea alba is a vertical line that divides the rectus abdominis muscles into left and right halves.
There are several layers of muscles within the abdominal wall.
The first and most superficial layer is the rectus abdominis, the second layer is the external oblique, the third is the internal oblique, and the deepest layer is the transversus abdominis. When healing a diastasis rectus abdominis, finding and strengthening the deepest layer, the transversus abdominis, is very important.