Maternity Physiotherapy: Rehabilitation of Abdominal Separation

A single midline fibrous line, called Linea Alba, runs between the straight abdominal muscles. This seam stretches during pregnancy and the abdominal muscles may become separated. They begin to recover back into the optimum position during the weeks after delivery.

Sometimes, however, it does not return to place spontaneously. Therefore, in order to restore abdominal stability, rehabilitation is needed. The difference can be noticed as a bulge or a depression in the abdomen, causing abdominal discomfort and other symptoms such as lower back pain and poor posture.

Physiotherapy monitors carefully the narrowing of the abdominal separation and the strengthening of the pelvic area as well. The separation can be rehabilitated even years after childbirth.