Diastasis recti abdominis – Guide for the maternity clinic clients of Perusturvakeskus Pori
Lehvilä, Essi (2020)
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Lataukset:
Lehvilä, Essi
2020
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020061718981
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020061718981
Tiivistelmä
Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), the condition affecting mainly women in their late pregnancy and postpartum period, but also other factors such as obesity may result in separation of the rectus abdominis muscle bellies along linea alba. Presumably almost every pregnant woman undergoes some stage of separation along the midline of the abdomen during the third trimester of pregnancy or immediately after giving birth. Multiple studies with varying results have been made while trying to determine the most efficient treatment methods, and still to this day, there are no official guidelines for treating DRA.
The aim of this thesis was to provide the latest evidence about diastasis recti abdominis and its treatment with illustrated exercises in a form of a printable guide leaflet in Finnish and English for the client of this thesis, maternity clinic of Perusturvakeskus Pori. Exercises chosen for the guide are focusing on postpartum DRA rehabilitation by strengthening the weakened abdominal wall and pelvic floor muscles. The client of this thesis may use the guide in their work and distribute it to patients in need.
The thesis process included the gathering of the evidence from recent years concerning DRA and its treatment methods. After the relevant evidence was selected, the thesis process continued with writing the theory part. A printable guide leaflet was created in based on the theoretical knowledge presented in this thesis.
At the end, little is known about this common condition and future research is still required to standardize the most effective intervention methods for diastasis recti abdominis. Many women in their pregnancy and postpartum are affected by DRA without even knowing about it. Screening for DRA could be beneficial if it could be merged into a doctor’s or public health nurse’s checkup at the late pregnancy or in the first weeks after giving birth.
The aim of this thesis was to provide the latest evidence about diastasis recti abdominis and its treatment with illustrated exercises in a form of a printable guide leaflet in Finnish and English for the client of this thesis, maternity clinic of Perusturvakeskus Pori. Exercises chosen for the guide are focusing on postpartum DRA rehabilitation by strengthening the weakened abdominal wall and pelvic floor muscles. The client of this thesis may use the guide in their work and distribute it to patients in need.
The thesis process included the gathering of the evidence from recent years concerning DRA and its treatment methods. After the relevant evidence was selected, the thesis process continued with writing the theory part. A printable guide leaflet was created in based on the theoretical knowledge presented in this thesis.
At the end, little is known about this common condition and future research is still required to standardize the most effective intervention methods for diastasis recti abdominis. Many women in their pregnancy and postpartum are affected by DRA without even knowing about it. Screening for DRA could be beneficial if it could be merged into a doctor’s or public health nurse’s checkup at the late pregnancy or in the first weeks after giving birth.