Abdominal Separation (Diastasis Recti)

Many women’s initial postnatal goal is to try and regain their pre pregnancy bodies. However, women suffering from abdominal separation will not be able to start their postnatal recovery until their gap has closed.

abdominal

What is abdominal separation (Diastasis Recti)? Your tummy muscles, especially your rectus abdominis (the 6 pack muscle) gets stretched during your pregnancy, very stretched! Added into this incorrect breathing, poor alignment and incorrect build-up of internal pressure can lead to a condition called diastasis recti or abdominal separation. This is where the two walls of the rectus abdominis tear away from the connective tissue. This has serious implications and can lead to a whole world of complications including back pain and slipped (prolapsed) discs, pelvic floor weakness and hernias. So many women with abdominal separation are turned away from conventional exercise because of the risks associated to exercising with an abdominal gap.

If your pregnancy has left you with a Diastasis Recti, Katy can work with you to bring the walls of your abdominal raphe back together again. Katy uses a Pilates based, whole body method to fix abdominal separation devised by well know women’s health guru Claire Mockridge. By using correct breathing techniques, with a focus on alignment and appropriate exercises, you can work to close your gap and start your postnatal recovery.

How it works: Katy will come to your house for an initial assessment, free of charge, to assess your core and make a diagnosis. She will then return within a week to deliver your first session. You will then be expected to do the homework yourself and then Katy will return a month later for the second session. During this your gap will be reassessed and the next months work will be covered. 90% of clients gaps will have improved by that second session and it is very rare that clients will need more than 5 sessions.

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Here is what a few of Katy’s previous diastasis clients have said:

Zeynep, London

After the birth of my second child, I wanted to make sure that I had the best chance possible of closing my diastasis recti and so started to look around for someone who could help me. Katy’s knowledge, approach and own personal experience were key in my choosing to work with her. Her personalised program and flexibility were super helpful given I work full time. Believe it or not, my gap closed within 3 months! I’m really happy to recommend her to others.

Fabiola, London

I had just had my second son (4 months old at the time) and a friend who teaches Pilates offered to check my stomach and found that I had a large separation between my abs. I could fit all four fingers between my abs (and spread them!). I found Katy on an online search for Abdominal Diastasis rehabilitation and we got to work the following week. Katy provided clear and simple exercises for me to carry on with throughout the month. Any doubts I may have had on their effectiveness were quickly erased when I saw real progress after just the first month. Still I had fears it would take a year to fully recover or, worse yet, surgery. But with Katy, we were able to close my large gap in just 5 months. To say that I was impressed is an understatement. And whilst the above speaks to her skill, she also exhibited great professionalism and thoroughness. She would check in on my progress and was always available if I had any questions. She always showed up on time for our meetings and always stayed positive throughout the journey. I cannot offer a higher recommendation than that I give for Katy. She is a star and I couldn’t have closed my gap without her.

Rachel, Kingston

I’ve had 2 sessions with Katy so far to join back together my post natal stomach muscles. I’m really glad I found her. The exercises are comprehensive but realistic and manageable with two young children to look after. Katy is brilliant at explaining each exercise so that you go away really understanding what to do until the next session. I would thoroughly recommend Katy.

Ana, London

Katy has been amazing throughout the whole process of fixing my diastasis recti. She was always super flexible and understanding, considering my busy life with 2 small children and working full time. Even at times in which I thought I wouldn’t be able to fix it, Katy kept a very positive attitude and high energy, encouraging me to carry on.
The exercises were easy to follow between sessions, bespoke to my particular needs and Katy made sure she was always available to answer any questions. It’s been a great experience and won’t hesitate to contact her during my next pregnancy to make sure I don’t fall back to bad habits!

Merrill, Hampton Court

After my second baby I had abdominal separation again so I wanted to try and fix it properly rather than leaving it again. I found Katy online and was sceptical at first but I read the reviews and when I met her she told me herself that it would work and to have faith! So after 5 months of doing the exercises (not every day just a few times a week) I did indeed close the gap and realign the muscles.
Katy is so knowledgeable and great to work with. I really enjoyed my sessions even though they were interrupted by lock down we still did it online for a few months.
She understands how everything comes together so it is not all about doing tummy exercises but looking at things holistically.
I am very grateful that I found Katy to help we get back on track to normal!