Healing my postpartum stomach with a physiotherapist

Yesterday I had my first session with a physiotherapist to examine my c-section scar and assess whether or not I have diastasis recti.

I wasn’t sure what to expect because I heard that they specialist in postpartum care but I didn’t exactly know what we’d be doing during the session beyond an assessment.

After doing an intake, the clinician confirmed that I have diastasis recti (a 2cm gap around my bellybutton and a 3 finger gap above it).

More importantly, I shared that I had a lot of sensitivity around my scar. It felt like there was nerve issue, as if my stretch marks had just happened yesterday.

So as far as treatment, I received a myofascial massage. The clinician basically does a combination of pinching and rubbing the skin around my c-section scar to loosen up tension in the fascia, which was likely causing the sensitivity.

I was surprised after I left how relaxed I felt in my belly area. It was as if I was able to stand taller and hadn’t realized I was crouching down a bit to not subconsciously overstretch my belly.

Treatment wise, I was told to go every 2 weeks until more tension is released, and then I can space out the sessions until I feel I no longer need them.

Overall, I feel like the light is at the end of the tunnel in returning to a feeling of normalcy in my body (even though some bits, like the scar and stretch marks won’t return 100%).