The abdominal diastasis that Noemi Bocchi, Totti’s partner, claims to suffer from is the so-called “pancetta”, which also occurs in slim and fit people, it may not just be an aesthetic problem.
If it is accompanied by other symptoms such as back pain and a feeling of instability of the spine, swelling after meals, episodes of incontinence, digestive and respiratory problems, obvious peristalsis, hernias, it can hide abdominal diastasis, excessive separation of the muscles of the rectum – central abdomen .
What is that
The major muscles of the rectus abdominis wall are divided into two parts: a right rectus abdominis and a left rectus abdominis, which are held together by a thin band of connective tissue (called the linea alba or midline) that not only holds together the rectus muscles, but also allows the continence of the internal bowels.
If the linea alba, which is very resistant but not very elastic, wears out for any reason, it is difficult to return to its original state naturally. Depending on the distance created between the two rectus abdominis muscles, it can range from mild diastasis (less than 3 cm), which does not usually cause disturbances and does not require intervention, to moderate diastasis (between 3 and 5 cm). and severe degree (more than 5 cm). If it is a severe degree, an umbilical hernia or an epigastric hernia may occur as the muscles lose the ability to hold the abdominal viscera out of their natural position.
The reasons
The most important is pregnancy, especially in twins, which during pregnancy causes the two longitudinal muscle bands of the abdomen to spread apart to allow the fetus to grow during the nine months. In 70% of cases, the muscles naturally return to their place within a year after birth, in the remaining cases, the two muscle groups remain separate and thereby stabilize. There may be a genetic predisposition that puts some women at higher risk due to lack of collagen in connective tissue.
The other causes of abdominal diastasis, which can also affect men, are related to sudden and significant weight changes, muscle relaxation, excessive physical activity, chronic coughing, or severe and persistent gagging.
how to heal
If the problem does not resolve naturally and is of “mild magnitude,” targeted physical therapy can be done. If, on the other hand, disabling side effects occur, an operation is required, which is assessed according to the degree of severity. Among the most common is abdominoplasty (usually in “moderate” cases), which allows the two muscles to be brought closer together, while in “severe” cases it may be necessary to insert a biocompatible absorbable mesh that allows the muscles to be brought together and also has a containment function of internal organs.
However, physical exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles should be avoided as they could even be counterproductive. The danger is that they put undue stress on already tried and tight abs.