Split abdominal muscles (also known as diastasis recti) is a condition in which the muscle tissue of the rectus abdominis, or "six-pack muscle," spreads due to increased intra-abdominal pressure. This can happen during pregnancy, after giving birth, or as a result of excess weight or exercises that bother the stomach.

Split stomach muscles can cause the appearance of a "bowed" appearance in the abdomen, and can also cause pain in the back and lower abdomen. For pregnant women, this can also lead to problems maintaining control over the pelvis, which can lead to incontinence or problems controlling bowel and bladder function. In addition, it can cause problems with carrying and caring for the child, and can also cause problems with having a normal birth. It is important to get treatment for split abdominal muscles during pregnancy to avoid complications during birth.

Four weeks after giving birth, it's time for a self-test of your abdominal muscles. This is important so that you can adjust your training to your level. Feel free to check again in a month; the result may be completely different.

Lie on your back with bent knees and the soles of your feet resting on the floor.

Find the midline down your abdomen (a line that runs from between the breasts, through the navel, and all the way down to the front pelvic joint - symphysis).

Place two fingers side by side, about two finger widths above the navel.

Lift your head with your chin towards your chest as if doing sit-ups.

How much space is there between the straight abdominal muscles? Measure the distance in this gap with your fingers. If you can fit one to two finger widths, it is normal.

You should also examine how deeply you can press your fingers into this gap. Regardless of how your postpartum belly is now, gradual rehabilitation will be important.

You can train your abdomen as usual, but remember to start slowly. Width: Two finger widths or less Depth: Less than three centimeters

You should especially train the deep abdominal muscles well at the beginning. Width: Two finger widths or less Depth: More than three centimeters

Avoid heavier exercises that cause the abdomen to be unable to withstand pressure from within. Width: 2 1/2 finger widths or more Depth: Less than three centimeters

Avoid heavier exercises that cause the abdomen to be unable to withstand pressure from within. Take extra time for the most important abdominal muscles. Width: 2 1/2 finger widths or more Depth: More than three centimeters

See effective excercises

We know that the right competence and good chemistry are important. Below you can therefore get to know our therapists better. We hope this makes it easier to find a therapist who is right for you.

Joanna works with all types of muscle and bone ailments, with a special interest and expertise in women's health. Common conditions she treats are pelvic floor dysfunction and pain, abdominal pain (including vulvodynia, vaginismus, vestibulitis, abdominal prolapse/abdominal prolapse and urinary incontinence), long-term pain, anorectal dysfunction, pain in the tailbone area and sexual dysfunction.

She also examines and treats jaw pain and temporomandibular joint dysfunction TMD. Here she uses several different treatment tools.

Joanna is particularly interested in:
Women's Health | The stream | Vulvodynia | Vaginism | Urinary incontinence | Anorectal dysfunction | Coccyx Pain | Hip | Back | Jaw pain | Temporomandibular joint dysfunction - TMD

Additional services which Joanna offers:
✓ Manometry – pressure measurement of strength and endurance in the pelvic floor
✓ Shock wave treatment
✓ Vaginal and rectal examination

Where can you book an appointment with Joanna?
📍 Majorstuen - Hegdehaugsveien (Oscars gate 20)

See available slots with Joanna:

Ingrid is from Askøy. She studied in Bournemouth and graduated in 2008. She is a general chiropractor with over 15 years' experience with a wide range of skills and has a special interest in the treatment of pregnant women and infants, as well as foot and ankle problems. She has previously worked at the Foot and Ankle Specialist together with an orthopedic surgeon with whom she still has a good working relationship.

As a chiropractor, Ingrid is the primary contact in the healthcare system, such as GPs, and can refer to medical specialists, MRI or other imaging examinations and take sick leave for up to 12 weeks if clinically necessary. She herself has for many years played sports in the USA, mostly basketball, athletics and lacrosse.

Ingrid is particularly interested in:

Back | neck | Foot, ankle and calf | Headache | The stream | Women's health/Pregnancy complaints, children and infants

Where can you book an appointment with Ingrid?
📍Berstadhuset (Bergen, Valkendorfsgaten 9)

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With 25 years' experience as a physiotherapist and osteopath, Hege offers specialized treatment including medical acupuncture. Educated in Berlin and further educated at the European School of Osteopathy. Her dedication to her profession is reflected in her personal approach to each patient, where the goal is to achieve optimal health and well-being. Hege treats all musculoskeletal complaints, including back, neck, hip, knee and foot complaints, and has special expertise in women's health/pregnancy complaints.

Where can you book an appointment with Hege?
📍 Stavanger - Vaktapoteket (Olav V s gate 11)

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Bente is a physiotherapist and osteopath with 20 years' experience in the treatment of adults and children. She is keen to see the big picture and find an individually adapted treatment course for the individual. As both an osteopath and a physiotherapist, she has a wide selection of treatment techniques to choose from. These include joint adjustments, mobilization techniques, soft tissue treatment and cranial osteopathy. If necessary, dry needling or pressure wave treatment is used. She also has expertise in women's health.

Bente is particularly interested in:
Pregnant | headache | neck | back | dizziness | Abdominal complaints | the stream | functional stomach and intestinal complaints | jaw | trouble breathing

Where can you book an appointment with Bente?
📍 Grunerløkka (Markveien 25)

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