When you look in the mirror, do your ribs seem to stick out a bit more than usual? Does your rib cage expand at the bottom? Does your bra band feel tighter than usual? These are all signs of rib flare. Not only can flared ribs be painful, they can also affect your breathing patterns […]
Diastasis Recti
10 Best Diastasis Recti Exercises To Heal Your Core
Do you have diastasis recti following the birth of a baby? Or maybe you feel the effects of an abdominal separation, like back pain, core weakness, incontinence, or even a “mummy tummy”? A separation of the rectus abdominis muscles is quite common. Even though there is some spontaneous healing after birth, studies show nearly two-thirds […]
Why Do I Look Pregnant?
Normal bodies take time to heal postpartum. But if you had a baby a while ago and still “look pregnant”, there could be an underlying reason. Before we dive in, a friendly reminder that many women have some extra fat to protect organs, so please be kind to yourself. Why Do I Still Look Pregnant? […]
Can Diastasis Recti Cause Back Pain?
Although not everyone with diastasis recti symptoms has back pain, a lot of people do. And with the rigors of mom life, back pain can make you miserable. Mom life requires constant lifting. From picking up a car seat, carrying a toddler through the zoo, or bringing in the groceries in one trip, you need […]
Does Diastasis Recti Cause Bloating?
This one is for my diastasis recti moms who have ever woken up thinking “my stomach looks so flat today!” but by 5 p.m. notice their belly looks completely bloated. This may leave you wondering… does diastasis recti cause bloating? In short, no, but let’s break this down why you may look more bloated by […]
How to Fix Diastasis Recti Years Later
If you’re looking to improve your diastasis recti (DR), you’re not alone. It’s estimated that up to half of all women experience DR to some degree after giving birth. DR can be difficult to overcome—but mama, don’t lose hope! There are lots of resources to help you heal and fix diastasis recti years later—let’s dive […]
Lower Belly Pooch? Let’s Learn to Breathe.
Do you feel like your lower belly pooch won’t improve no matter what you do? First off, remember that you are the owner of a uterus and it is normal to have some pooch to our tummies! This is especially true after having babies. That said, I’m going to share with you the best kept […]
Rib Mobility to Improve Diastasis Recti
The most important factor in core and pelvic floor healing is breathing. I preach about this all day, every day. The vast majority of women breathe up into their chests instead down into their body. This happens from years of sucking in to “look thin.” Add pregnancy on top of that and things get smushed, […]
6 things no one tells us about our postpartum bodies…
As a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist helping women heal their postpartum bodies, I’ve heard a lot of stories. But no matter the story I’ve been told, it always ends with, “Why didn’t anyone tell me this?” Too often, we are blindsided by the postpartum process and what has become of our bodies, […]
How To Check For Diastasis Recti
Are you wondering how to check yourself for diastasis recti? Diastasis recti is the thinning of the tissue that runs between the “six-pack muscles”. Perhaps you have noticed a ridge or coning from your belly when you sit up. Maybe you’ve lost all the “baby weight”, but still feel like you have a lower belly […]