Diastasis Recti – RYC. A diastasis recti is a separation of the abdominal wall muscles (the rectus abdominis). Most of us know the famous 6-pack muscles by looking at fitness models or bodybuilders as they are the most superficial layer of muscle and easily spottable when body fat is low and muscle tone is high. With a diastasis recti, these muscles separate in the center of the abs, causing a gap between the left and right sides of the muscle. The left and right sides of the muscle attach into a connective tissue that runs from your ribs to your pubic bone and that tissue, the linea alba - stretches and thins and as a result - the 6-pack splits - left from right.
In both men and women, this gap can be created in the midline of your belly anywhere from the pubic bone to the base of your ribcage. What are the Causes? Many people wrongly believe that a diastasis recti only occurs postpartum. That is just not the case. Most commonly, a diastasis recti develops during pregnancy. Who Develops It Most Often?