Vitality Therapy And Performance

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Diastasis Recti

Pelvic floor physical therapy isn’t just all about the pelvic floor. You may be feeling core weakness or noticing a bulging in the center of your abdomen postpartum. We can help address weakness in the abdominals to get you back to what you want to do, and avoid future complications from abdominal separation such as back pain or incontinence.

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Can We Help?

What Causes DRA

DRA is caused by stretching of the connective tissue between the rectus abdominis muscles. Rapid weight gain (such as in pregnancy) or over training of the upper abdominals can cause DRA.

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How does PT help DRA?

At Vitality Pelvic Health you’ll work 1:1 with your physical therapist to develop a plan of care to strengthen your deep abdominals and fix your DRA without surgery. Your treatment plan may include exercises for strengthening, strategies to avoid tension on the connective tissue, and co-strengthening with the surrounding musculature.

How long will it take?

A typical plan of care for DRA is around 6-8 weeks. Closing the gap can take time, and a lot of consistency.

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What the research says:

To improve quality of life, rehabilitation should be focused on restoration of function, not just on “closing the gap”

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of women have DRA 12 months postpartum that will likely not resolve on its own

Common complaints

“I feel like I still look pregnant”
“I notice bulging above my belly button when getting out of bed in the morning”
“I feel bloated in my abdomen every time I eat”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Exercise safety is dependent on severity of separation and baseline strength. The two main exercises to be cautious with are crunches and planks. Both of these exercises place increased stress on the already compromised abdominal wall. Working with a physical therapist will help determine if either of these exercises are safe for you to do, or what to work on in order to get there safely.

Diastasis recti can look like abdominal bulging, increased abdominal bloating, or just feeling weak in your core months/years postpartum.

An abdominal separation of 2 fingers or less is considered “normal”.

100% of pregnant women will experience diastasis with pregnancy, but not all of them will experience resolution of their separation postpartum without intervention.

Diastasis Recti Quizzes
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Can pelvic floor physical therapy help your situation? Take this quick quiz!

Get To Know Our Pelvic Health Team...

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Tristen Swengle

PT, DPT, Director of Pelvic Health
Learn More
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Nikki Randolph

PT, DPT, Pelvic Health Specialist
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Kally Owen

PT, DPT
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Deena Winham, PT

Deena Winham

PT, DPT, PCES
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Testimonials

What Clients Are Saying

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Stacy B

I have been coming to Vitality Pelvic Health for several weeks. I was looking for options to help strengthen my pelvic floor following an injury during childbirth and just aging in general. I am 44 years old, and my youngest child is 13, but Tristan explained that we are always in that postpartum phase. Tristan is extremely knowledgeable and so incredibly thorough! I’ve never met anyone who knows so much about pelvic dysfunction and ways to combat it. She’s created a strengthening program for me that I can continue to use long after my sessions are completed. I highly recommend her to any woman seeking help in this area. You will not regret it!

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Illustration of a woman with long, flowing brown hair, depicted in a minimalist style with soft earth tones. She is wearing a sleeveless top and appears to be in a thoughtful pose, reflecting on
Shannon F

Dr. Nikki is truly amazing. I came to her a year and half after having my baby because I felt like something was off and that I was still not fully recovered. She gave me a whole toolbox of movements and practices to get myself back together and feel confident that my body could safely pick up my growing daughter. She figured out exactly what I needed to do, and gave me a realistic plan all while being so kind and patient. I could not recommend her more to any new moms or moms to be (or really anyone struggling with functional movement).

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Ready To Get Started?

Whether you need more information or are ready to get started on your path to recovery, our team is here to help. All we ask is you simply reach out by filling out a quick form. No commitment to doing this, but we just might be the answer you have been looking for. You owe it to yourself to at least find out more.

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A smiling woman with curly hair wearing a black top, specializing in physical therapy and pelvic health, standing against a plain white background.

Tristen Swengle

PT, DPT, DIRECTOR OF PELVIC HEALTH

Tristen, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, is passionate about treating active women and men who are dealing with various types of pelvic floor dysfunction so that they are able to return to their preferred exercise routine and lifestyle. She received her doctorate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Fayetteville, AR. Since graduating, Tristen has continued to pursue further education through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.

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Nikki Randolph

PT, DPT, PELVIC HEALTH SPECIALIST

Nikki is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa in 2015. She then received her doctorate from Washington University in St Louis in 2022. During her time there she became passionate about pelvic floor rehabilitation, specifically in both the active population and post-oncologic. Nikki is continuing to pursue her education through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. The opportunity to help patients achieve their goals, live free from pelvic pain, and feel empowered with the tools and knowledge to live a healthy life is incredibly meaningful to her.

A smiling young woman with blonde hair, wearing a black t-shirt with "physical therapy" text, stands against a light gray background.

Kally Owen

PT, DPT, Pelvic Health
Kally holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and a minor in Microbiology from Oklahoma State University graduating in 2019 and from there went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2022. Kally enjoys treating all orthopedic conditions with a special interest in pelvic floor physical therapy and she is Dry Needling certified. She enjoys working with patients who desire to take an active role in their recovery and loves learning unique and holistic ways to provide the best to the clients she treats. Kally is continuing to pursue her education through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.
Deena Winham, PT

Deena Winham

PT, DPT, PCES

Deena is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. She is passionate about treating women through their pregnancy to maintain a higher level of function and exercise capability throughout their pregnancy and postpartum to help mothers recover quicker from pregnancy without any pelvic floor dysfunction. Deena also enjoys treating pelvic floor dysfunction in the pediatric population as well. Since graduating in 2019 with her doctorate from South College in Knoxville, Tennessee, Deena has continued to pursue further education through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.