Pressure & Movement Patterns
You can have strong abs and still have diastasis because strength doesn't equal integration. The issue is pressure management and movement sequencing -- and that's exactly what we address.
Written by Louis Ellery • Last reviewed: April 2026
The Reality
Diastasis recti is widely described as a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba. While anatomically accurate, this description misses the actual problem. The separation is a symptom, not a cause. It's the result of a pressure and movement sequencing dysfunction.
The real issues driving diastasis are dysfunction in rib cage positioning, pelvic orientation relative to the ribcage, diaphragm and transverse abdominis coordination, how the obliques integrate into the sling systems, and how load transfers through the torso during walking and standing.
This is why crunches and planks don't fix it. They can actually make it worse by increasing intra-abdominal pressure without addressing the coordination failures that created the separation in the first place. You need to change how your body manages pressure during movement -- not just make the muscles stronger.
The Conventional Problem
Most diastasis recti programs focus on "closing the gap" through ab-specific exercises -- gentle crunches, pelvic tilts, drawing in the belly button. These approaches treat diastasis as a local muscle weakness problem. But diastasis is a whole-body coordination problem that happens to manifest in the abdomen.
If your rib cage is flared, your pelvis is anteriorly tilted, and your diaphragm isn't coordinating with your pelvic floor -- no amount of ab work will close the gap permanently. You need to address the structural positioning of the ribcage, pelvis, and spine, then retrain how they coordinate during the movements you perform every day.
Our Method
We address diastasis recti as a whole-body coordination issue, working through six interconnected components.
Restore the natural position of the rib cage -- not through bracing or gripping, but by retraining how the ribcage moves during gait. A flared rib cage creates constant outward pressure on the linea alba.
Return the pelvis to a neutral relationship with the rib cage. When the pelvis and ribcage are misaligned, the abdominal wall can't generate tension evenly, and pressure leaks through the weakest point.
Reintroduce natural pressurisation. The diaphragm and transverse abdominis must work together to create internal pressure that supports the spine without bulging through the linea alba.
The obliques are part of the anterior and posterior sling systems that transfer force diagonally through the body during walking. When they don't integrate into these slings, the rectus abdominis bears too much load.
Retrain how the ribs, pelvis, and feet coordinate during walking and running. This is where everything comes together -- the gait cycle is the ultimate test of whether your core is truly integrating.
Progressive loading back to real-world demands -- lifting, carrying, running, strength training. The gap closes when your body can manage pressure correctly under increasing load, not just during gentle exercises.
How We Assess
Our assessment goes well beyond measuring the gap width. We evaluate your entire movement system: how your rib cage sits relative to your pelvis, how you breathe at rest and under load, how your obliques and TVA coordinate during walking, and where pressure is leaking during basic movements.
We film your gait from multiple angles and assess your standing posture, rib cage position, pelvic tilt, and breathing patterns. This comprehensive evaluation allows us to identify the specific coordination failures driving your diastasis -- because every case is different, and the treatment must match the cause.
Specialised Pathways
Pregnancy changes everything about how your body manages pressure. The growing uterus displaces the diaphragm, shifts the centre of gravity, and stretches the abdominal wall. Our approach during pregnancy focuses on:
Postpartum recovery isn't about rushing back to exercise. It's about systematically restoring the coordination systems that were disrupted by pregnancy. Our postpartum pathway includes:
What to Expect
Measurable reduction in gap width and coning during movement
Restored rib cage position and improved breathing capacity
Elimination of lower back pain associated with core instability
Ability to return to running, lifting, and sport without coning
Improved pelvic floor function integrated through gait training
Confidence in your body's ability to handle physical demands
Evidence-Based
Peer-reviewed research supporting this treatment approach:
Common Questions
Diastasis recti occurs when sustained intra-abdominal pressure pushes the abdominal wall apart along the linea alba. While pregnancy is the most common trigger, it can also result from chronic poor breathing mechanics, excessive abdominal bracing during exercise, or any condition creating persistent outward pressure. The separation itself is a symptom of a pressure and movement problem.
In many cases, yes. Diastasis recti responds to proper pressure management and movement retraining. By correcting diaphragm function, rib cage positioning, and how your core integrates during movement, the abdominal wall can progressively close. Surgery addresses the structural gap but doesn't fix the pressure dysfunction that caused it — which is why recurrence after surgery is common.
Traditional ab exercises like crunches and planks often worsen diastasis recti because they increase intra-abdominal pressure without addressing the underlying dysfunction. The gap isn't caused by weak abs — it's caused by how pressure distributes through your torso during movement. Correction requires retraining diaphragm function, rib cage-pelvis alignment, and integrated core engagement during gait.
Further Reading
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