Doming or coning
A ridge appears along the center of your abdomen when you sit up, roll in bed, lift, plank, cough or exercise.
In-home diastasis recti care in Elmhurst and nearby suburbs
Diastasis recti physical therapy that rebuilds confidence
If your abdomen domes, feels unsupported or does not seem to work the way it did before pregnancy, you are not failing at recovery. Diastasis recti care focuses on how your core manages pressure, load and everyday movement—not simply the width of a gap.
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Private one-on-one care • In-network with BCBS PPO • Internal assessment is always optional
Clinical content reviewed by Dr. Melissa Scholl, PT, DPT • Updated
Practical core retraining for the movements that matter to you
20+ years of physical therapy experiencePrivate one-on-one visitsIn-network with BCBS PPOElmhurst and nearby western suburbs
A clearer explanation
Diastasis recti is more than a gap
Diastasis recti is a widening and thinning of the connective tissue between the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscles. It is common during and after pregnancy because the abdominal wall adapts to a growing uterus, but it can also occur in people who have never been pregnant.
The distance between the muscles is only one part of the picture. Physical therapy also looks at the tension the tissue can create, whether your abdomen bulges or domes under effort, how you breathe, and how your trunk coordinates with the pelvic floor during lifting, exercise and daily life.
- Gap width
- A measurement can help describe the starting point, but a smaller number is not the only sign of meaningful progress.
- Tissue tension
- The linea alba should be able to transfer force. The quality of tension can matter as much as the distance between the muscles.
- Pressure control
- Breath-holding, straining or pushing pressure forward may contribute to doming and a feeling of poor support.
- Whole-body function
- Hips, ribs, spine, breathing and pelvic floor coordination all influence how the abdominal wall handles movement.
Start with what you notice
Signs that an individualized assessment may help
You do not need a formal diagnosis before reaching out. Diastasis recti physical therapy may be useful when abdominal changes are affecting comfort, confidence or the activities you want to do.
Core weakness
Your middle feels unsupported, disconnected or difficult to engage even though you have tried general abdominal exercises.
Back or pelvic discomfort
Low-back, hip, pelvic or rib discomfort shows up with carrying, feeding, standing, lifting or returning to workouts.
Pelvic floor symptoms
Leakage, pressure, heaviness, urgency or constipation occurs along with abdominal weakness or poor pressure control.
Uncertainty about exercise
You are avoiding movements because you are afraid of making the separation worse, or online advice has left you confused.
A stalled return to activity
Running, strength training, yoga, Pilates, childcare or work tasks still feel unstable or provoke symptoms.
Care built around function
How physical therapy helps diastasis recti
Treatment is not a generic list of safe and unsafe exercises. Melissa evaluates how your abdominal wall responds to real tasks, then teaches you how to create support without gripping, bracing constantly or holding your breath.
- 1
Understand your starting point
The evaluation may include abdominal-wall width and tension, breathing, rib movement, posture, scars, hips, spine, pelvic floor symptoms and the activities that matter most to you.
- 2
Improve breathing and pressure management
You practice coordinating the diaphragm, abdominal wall and pelvic floor so pressure is shared more effectively during effort.
- 3
Build deep core coordination
Exercises begin at a level you can control and progress from simple positions to lifting, carrying, getting off the floor and other daily demands.
- 4
Strengthen beyond the abdomen
Hip, back, shoulder and whole-body strength may be part of the plan because your core works as part of a system, not in isolation.
- 5
Return to the activity you miss
Your program progresses toward running, Pilates, strength training, sports, childcare, work or whatever feeling capable again means to you.
Private, one-on-one support
What diastasis recti care looks like at home
Melissa comes to your home with a portable treatment table and the tools needed for an individualized assessment. That means the plan can be practiced where you actually lift a baby, carry laundry, get up from the floor, use your stairs or complete your workouts.
An internal pelvic floor assessment is not required to evaluate diastasis recti. It may be discussed if bladder, bowel, pressure or pain symptoms suggest that pelvic floor coordination is part of the problem, but it is always optional and only happens with informed consent.
- A clear explanation of what the assessment shows—and what it does not mean
- Exercises chosen for your current strength, symptoms and goals
- Coaching on exhaling, bracing and managing pressure during difficult tasks
- Adjustments for C-section or abdominal scars when relevant
- A short home plan that fits into real life rather than an overwhelming routine
- Progressions based on function, not an arbitrary postpartum timeline
Progress without fear
You usually do not need to avoid every challenging exercise
Blanket rules about never doing crunches, planks or heavy lifting can create more fear than clarity. Whether a movement is appropriate depends on your symptoms, control, breathing, tissue response and current capacity.
Modify, then progress
A movement can often be changed by adjusting range, load, position, speed or breathing, then gradually rebuilt as control improves.
Watch the response
Doming, pain, leakage, pressure or breath-holding are useful feedback. They are signals to adjust the task—not proof that your body is damaged.
Train for real life
Babies, groceries, laundry and work do not stay light. Therapy prepares you to meet increasing demands with better strategy and confidence.
Concierge care close to home
Diastasis recti physical therapy in Elmhurst and the western suburbs
The Healthy Pelvis provides private in-home care in Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Lombard, Villa Park and nearby western suburban communities. Visits remain one-on-one with Dr. Melissa Scholl, a physical therapist with more than 20 years of experience.
The practice is in-network with BCBS PPO plans. Coverage depends on your individual benefits, deductible, coinsurance, visit limits and medical-necessity requirements. Benefits can be checked before care, but verification is not a guarantee of payment.
- Setting
- Private visits in your home—no waiting room, shared gym or handoff to an aide.
- BCBS PPO
- In-network. Your plan determines deductible, coinsurance and other patient responsibility.
- Other insurance
- Self-pay is available, and a superbill may be provided for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
- First step
- A free 15-minute consultation can help you decide whether an evaluation is the right next move.
Answers before you begin
Frequently asked questions
Can physical therapy fix diastasis recti?
Physical therapy can improve abdominal-wall tension, coordination, strength, pressure management and function. The visible gap may change, but treatment is not judged only by closing it completely. Feeling supported and returning to activity without doming, pain, leakage or pressure are meaningful goals.
How long does diastasis recti take to improve?
There is no single timeline. Progress depends on tissue changes, symptoms, starting strength, sleep, daily demands, consistency and the activity you want to resume. An evaluation helps establish realistic milestones for your body and goals.
Are crunches or planks bad for diastasis recti?
Not automatically. Some people need an easier variation first, while others can perform these movements with good pressure control. Melissa looks at your response and helps you modify range, load, position or breathing before progressing.
Can I start therapy years after having a baby?
Yes. It is not too late to improve strength, coordination and confidence. Therapy can be useful months or years postpartum, especially if you still notice doming, weakness, back discomfort, leakage or difficulty returning to exercise.
Do I need an internal pelvic floor exam?
No. Diastasis recti can be evaluated without an internal examination. If pelvic floor symptoms make additional assessment useful, Melissa explains the options and purpose first. You may decline or stop any part of the evaluation.
Will I need surgery?
Many people improve function and symptoms without surgery. Physical therapy cannot determine whether surgery is appropriate for every person. A medical or surgical consultation may be recommended when there is a hernia, significant pain, progressive symptoms or goals that require another opinion.
Does BCBS PPO cover diastasis recti physical therapy?
The Healthy Pelvis is in-network with BCBS PPO, but coverage depends on your plan and whether skilled physical therapy meets its medical-necessity requirements. Benefits are verified when possible; the insurer makes the final claim decision.
Take the next step
Not sure which type of pelvic floor care fits?
A free 15-minute phone consultation is a simple, private way to ask questions and decide whether an evaluation makes sense.