Diastasis Recti Rehab
It's not just the gap!
Diastasis Recti, or abdominal separation is commonly seen postpartum, affecting up to 50% of new mothers. Yet this musculoskeletal condition remains under-recognised and under-treated. This course aims to bridge that gap by delving into the latest research, unscrambling the evidence and providing exercise rehabilitation techniques.
Learning Outcomes
1. Prevalence of DRAM in Postpartum & Difficulties of Translating Research into Practice
- Understand the high prevalence of DRAM among postpartum women, with studies showing varying rates due to differences in assessment methods and timing of evaluation.
- Discuss the barriers to applying research findings in clinical practice, including variability in study designs, differences in patient populations, and the need for standardised assessment protocols
2. Pathophysiology of DRAM
- Explore the physiological adaptations that lead to DRAM
- Learn the mechanisms that contribute to DRAM, such as hormonal influences, increased intra-abdominal pressure, and connective tissue changes, as well as when these changes typically occur.
-Recognize that DRAM is not limited to new mothers. It can affect men, athletes, and individuals with rapid weight changes or those who perform activities that significantly increase intra-abdominal pressure.
3. Core Musculature & Intra-Abdominal Pressures (IAP)
- Review the anatomy and function of the core muscles, including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, obliques, and pelvic floor muscles.
- Understand how intra-abdominal pressure is generated and regulated, and its impact on the stability of the abdominal wall and the occurrence of DRAM.
4. Assessment of DRAM in Clinical Practice
- Learn assessment methods for DRAM in your patients
5. Rehabilitation & Exercise Prescription Guidelines for DRAM
- Effective rehabilitation techniques for DRAM, focusing on progressive core strengthening exercises, breathing techniques, and progressive overload.
- Understand the high prevalence of DRAM among postpartum women, with studies showing varying rates due to differences in assessment methods and timing of evaluation.
- Discuss the barriers to applying research findings in clinical practice, including variability in study designs, differences in patient populations, and the need for standardised assessment protocols
2. Pathophysiology of DRAM
- Explore the physiological adaptations that lead to DRAM
- Learn the mechanisms that contribute to DRAM, such as hormonal influences, increased intra-abdominal pressure, and connective tissue changes, as well as when these changes typically occur.
-Recognize that DRAM is not limited to new mothers. It can affect men, athletes, and individuals with rapid weight changes or those who perform activities that significantly increase intra-abdominal pressure.
3. Core Musculature & Intra-Abdominal Pressures (IAP)
- Review the anatomy and function of the core muscles, including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, obliques, and pelvic floor muscles.
- Understand how intra-abdominal pressure is generated and regulated, and its impact on the stability of the abdominal wall and the occurrence of DRAM.
4. Assessment of DRAM in Clinical Practice
- Learn assessment methods for DRAM in your patients
5. Rehabilitation & Exercise Prescription Guidelines for DRAM
- Effective rehabilitation techniques for DRAM, focusing on progressive core strengthening exercises, breathing techniques, and progressive overload.
Meet the speaker
Esme Soan
Esme has worked as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a Women’s Health focus as part of multidisciplinary teams, and now owns & works in her own clinic, Pear Exercise Physiology: Pregnancy & Women's Health in Brisbane.
As co-director of The Women's Health Collective she is passionate about learning & teaching more in Women's Health. Esme is the ESSA Women’s Health Media Expert and has taught webinars and several workshops in the past year on women’s health and exercise for ESSA, NSW Health, Sports Medicine Australia and The Women’s Health Collective.
As co-director of The Women's Health Collective she is passionate about learning & teaching more in Women's Health. Esme is the ESSA Women’s Health Media Expert and has taught webinars and several workshops in the past year on women’s health and exercise for ESSA, NSW Health, Sports Medicine Australia and The Women’s Health Collective.