We start the regeneration of the abdominal muscles that become flat with pregnancy by stabilising the "abdominal cylinder", but why? Part 2
Main Article Content
Abstract
The human body is extremely complex and its wonderful workings are experienced by anyone who has gone through childbirth. After pregnancy and childbirth, the body needs time to recover, especially in the abdominal wall area. Many women experience a stretching of the abdominal wall during pregnancy and this problem can persist even after childbirth. Rectus diastasis, or stretching of the abdominal muscles, is a common phenomenon and most of us need to work actively to restore full function to the abdominal wall.
During rehabilitation, the abdominal wall needs to undergo a number of steps to fully recover. Recent research indicates that the abdominal wall should close naturally during the six to eight weeks following childbirth. However, for many women this process takes longer and requires specific, conscious training. In some cases, even a year after childbirth, there is no significant improvement in the condition of the abdominal wall without regular and targeted exercise.
With the right exercises, the deep muscles, which are part of the "abdominal cylinder", can contribute to the appearance and return of a flat stomach. The abdominal cylinder is a system that should be thought of as a cylinder [...]
Downloads
Article Details
Section
How to Cite
References
Bø K., Mørkved S., Frawley H., Sherburn M. (2009): Evidence for benefit of transversus abdominis training alone or in combination with pelvic floor muscle training to treat female urinary incontinence: A systematic review. Neurourology and Urodynamics. 28(5): 368–73. doi: 10.1002/nau.20700.
Coldron Y., Stokes M.J., Newham D.J., Cook K. (2008): Post-partum characteristics of rectus abdominis on ultrasound imaging. Manual Therapy. 13: 112– 121. DOI:10.1016/j.math.2006.10.001
Dumoulin C., Hay-Smith J., Habée-Séguin G.M., Mercier J. (2015): Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women: a short version Cochrane systematic review with meta-analysis. Neurourology and Urodynamics. 34(4):300–8. doi: 10.1002/nau.22700.
Ferla L., Darski C., Paiva L.L., Sbruzzi G., Vieira A. (2016): Synergism between abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in healthy women: a systematic review of observational studies. Fisioterapia em Movimento [online]. 29(2): 399–410. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-5150.029.002.AO19
Fernandes da Mota P.G., Pascoal A.G., Carita A.L. and Bo K. (2015): Prevalence and risk factors of diastasis recti abdominis from late pregnancy to 6 months postpartum, and relationship with lumbo-pelvic pain. Manual Therapy. 20(1):200–5. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2014.09.002.
França F.R., Burke T.N., Hanada E.S., Marques A.P. (2010): Segmental stabilization and muscular strengthening in chronic low back pain: a comparative study. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 65(10):1013–7. doi: 10.1590/S1807-59322010001000015
Hides J.A., Stokes M.J., Saide M., Jull G.A., Cooper D.H. (1994): Evidence of lumbar multifidus muscle wasting ipsilateral to symptoms in patients with acute/subacute low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 19(2):165–72.
Hodges P.W. and Richardson C.A. (1996): Inefficient muscular stabilization of the lumbar spine associated with low back pain. A motor control evaluation of transversus abdominis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 21(22):2640–50.
Hodges P.W. and Richardson C.A. (1997): Feedforward contraction of transversus abdominis is not influenced by the direction of arm movement. Experimental Brain Research. 114(2):362–70.
Kimmich, N., Haslinger, Ch., Kreft M. and Zimmermann R. (2015): Diastasis Recti Abdominis and Pregnancy. Praxis. 104(15) 803-806. https://doi.org/10.1024/1661-8157/a002075.
Liaw L.J., Hsu M.J., Liao C.F., Liu M.F., Hsu A.T. (2011): The relationships between inter-recti distance measured by ultrasound imaging and abdominal muscle function in postpartum women: a 6-month follow-up study. Journal of Orthopeadic and Sports Physical Therapy. 41(6):435–43. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3507.
Neumann P. and Gill V. (2002): Pelvic floor and abdominal muscle interaction: EMG activity and intra-abdominal pressure. International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. 13(2):125–32. DOI:10.1007/s001920200027
Ptaszkowski K., Paprocka-Borowicz M., Słupska L. , Bartnicki J., Dymarek R., Rosińczuk J., Heimrath J, Dembowski J., Zdrojowy R. (2015): Assessment of Bioelectrical Activity of Synergistic Muscles During Pelvic Floor Muscles Activation in Postmenopausal Women With and Without Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Preliminary Observational Study. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 10:1521–1528. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S89852
Sapsford R. (2001): The pelvic floor. A clinical model for function and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy. 87:620–30. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9406(05)61077-2
Sapsford R. (2004): Rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles utilizing trunk stabilization. Manual Thereapy. 9(1):3–12. DOI: 10.1016/S1356-689X(03)00131-0
Fisioter Mov. 2016 Apr/June;29(2):399–410 ISSN 0103-5150
Fisioter. Mov., Curitiba, v. 29, n. 2, p. 399–410, Apr./June 2016