AEsteticaMED
integrated aesthetic medicine
Aesthetic Division of
NUTRIZIONE PREVENZIONE

Project
DI.A.M.AN.TE.

Abdominal Diastasis

Abdominal diastasis is a condition in which the rectus abdominis muscles separate along the midline of the abdomen, called the linea alba, made of connective tissue that can widen or weaken.

CAUSES

It can occur in men or women due to obesity; however, it is also quite common in women after pregnancy, in both cases because of the pressure exerted on the growing abdomen.

SYMPTOMS

The main symptom of abdominal diastasis is a bulging of the abdomen, as if there were a "balloon" inside.
Symptoms worsen when coughing, laughing, or lifting a weight.
There may also be lower back pain, poor posture, and hernias.

COMPLICATIONS

Abdominal diastasis can have a significant impact on the life of those who suffer from it, physically, emotionally, and functionally.

  1. Physical appearance and emotions: It can negatively affect self-esteem and body image.
  2. Pain and discomfort: since the abdominal muscles play an important role in supporting the spine, their weakness can lead to poor posture with lower back pain.
  3. Functional complications: these occur when part of the intestine or fatty tissue pushes through a weak point in the abdominal muscles, causing pain and possible complications (hernias).
  4. Digestive problems: digestive issues such as constipation or bloating may be felt.
  5. Incontinence: abdominal diastasis may interfere with normal bladder and bowel control.

Treating abdominal diastasis is important not only for appearance but also to prevent or ease physical problems, improving quality of life.

Untreated abdominal diastasis can worsen over time and require longer recovery with only partial results.

The longer you wait, the greater the risk of hernias may become.

Obesity is one of the main causes of Abdominal Diastasis, and the main activity of our center is precisely to address in a multiprofessional (scientific holistic) way all the discomforts and problems that overweight and obesity conditions entail.

Reducing weight means reducing abdominal pressure; an anti-inflammatory diet promotes tissue healing, and the coordinated involvement of complementary professionals maximizes the chances of care or recovery.

This innovative and comprehensive approach is made available to women who suffer from postpartum Abdominal Diastasis.

Our DIAMANTE treatment protocol for abdominal diastasis includes the following stages:

  • ultrasound for diagnosis and assessment of the current status
  • nutritional consultation and development of a personalized eating plan
  • aesthetic medicine consultation
  • definition of a personalized treatment protocol
  • active bodyweight physiotherapy exercises or passive exercises on the clinic treatment table
  • postural re-education and breathing exercises
  • use of medical devices for passive muscle toning (EM-SCULPT)
  • patient education for independent management of residual symptoms
  • in more severe cases, coordination with the surgeon for surgical intervention

The combined use of complementary treatment modalities at the heart of the "DIAMANTE" project makes it possible to develop personalized and comprehensive treatment protocols, to address the problem from every angle.

Only in this way is it possible to maximize the chances of recovery and improved quality of life.

Project DI.A.M.AN.TE.

DIastasis Abdominal - Method of ANalysis and TErapy

A multiprofessional approach to abdominal diastasis is the most effective treatment modality because it increases the chances of recovery and improved quality of life.

The DIAMANTE protocol therapeutic proposal includes:

1

Pre-treatment ultrasound assessment

To confirm the diagnosis, assess the severity of the diastasis, personalize treatment, and measure progress over time

Performing an ultrasound assessment before starting a treatment protocol for abdominal diastasis is essential for several reasons:

  • Assess the severity of the diastasis: Ultrasound can provide a precise measurement of the distance between the rectus abdominis muscles. This makes it possible to determine the severity of the diastasis, which in turn will influence the type of treatment needed.
  • Identify any complications: Ultrasound can reveal whether there are complications related to the diastasis, such as hernias or other structural anomalies. This information can influence the treatment plan.
  • Establish a starting point: Knowing the initial severity of the diastasis can help monitor progress over time. Comparing ultrasound scans before starting the treatment program and at the end of it allows results to be measured objectively.
  • Personalize treatment: Depending on the severity of the diastasis and any complications, treatment can vary considerably. Ultrasound assessment helps personalize the treatment plan according to the patient's specific needs.
  • Confirm the diagnosis: Although abdominal diastasis can often be diagnosed through a physical examination, an ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis and provide a more detailed visualization of the condition.

In summary, an ultrasound assessment offers a more precise and detailed understanding of the Abdominal Diastasis condition.

2

Nutritional consultation and development of a personalized eating profile

A proper diet plays an important role in the treatment of abdominal diastasis because it helps manage weight, reduce inflammation, and reduce bloating.

Here are some tips:

  • Maintain a healthy body weight: excessive weight gain can put further pressure on the linea alba (the line that separates the abdominal muscles), worsening the diastasis. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet can help reduce this pressure.
  • Consume protein: proteins are essential for tissue repair and growth, so an adequate intake (not in excess of requirements!) of protein can support the healing process.
  • Anti-inflammatory foods: some foods are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, such as fish rich in omega-3, leafy green vegetables, red berries, nuts, and extra virgin olive oil. These can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the abdomen.
  • Hydration: drinking enough is important for overall health and can help the body repair tissues.
  • Avoid foods that cause bloating: some foods can cause bloating and gas, which can put further pressure on the abdomen.
3

Aesthetic Medicine Consultation

Non-surgical aesthetic medicine offers minimally invasive treatments to improve the appearance of abdominal diastasis and muscle tone. You can also take the opportunity for a total-body aesthetic consultation.

4

Postural re-education activities

Of fundamental importance, it helps correct any bad habits and strengthen the musculature, contributing to reducing pain and various discomforts.

Postural re-education is a critical aspect of abdominal diastasis treatment for many reasons:

  • Structural support: The abdominal muscles play a fundamental role in the structural support of the body. When these muscles separate or weaken, as in the case of abdominal diastasis, incorrect posture may develop. Postural re-education helps correct any imbalances and realign the body.
  • Pain reduction: Incorrect posture can cause pain and tension in other parts of the body, such as the back and neck. Postural re-education can help reduce pain by improving alignment and body weight distribution.
  • Prevention of further damage: Incorrect posture can put pressure on other parts of the body, potentially leading to further health problems. Postural re-education can help prevent these problems.
  • Treatment optimization: If you are working to strengthen and realign the abdominal muscles through physical exercise, good posture is essential to ensure that the exercises are effective. Correct posture can help ensure that you are engaging and strengthening the right muscles during exercise.
  • Improvement of overall function: Good posture does not only improve physical appearance, but can also improve breathing, circulation, and digestive function.

For all these reasons, postural re-education is a fundamental component of abdominal diastasis treatment. It helps ensure that patients can get the maximum benefit from their treatment and maintain long-term results.

5

Exercises for targeted muscle strengthening (abdominal and beyond)

They help reduce muscle separation, improve abdominal function and appearance, and prevent further problems.

Postural re-education and toning exercises are an essential step in the treatment pathway for these reasons:

  • Muscle rehabilitation: Targeted exercises help rebuild the strength and function of the abdominal muscles. This can help reduce the diastasis, improving the physical appearance of the abdomen and reducing symptoms such as back pain.
  • Prevention of further damage: Strengthening the abdominal muscles can help prevent further muscle separation, protecting the body from further damage.
  • Structural support: Strong abdominal muscles provide structural support for the entire body, helping to maintain correct posture and reducing pressure on other parts of the body, especially the lower back.
  • Improvement of overall function: Strong abdominal muscles help with daily movement and body balance. They can also play a role in supporting digestive and respiratory function.
  • Prevention of other conditions: Strengthening the abdominal muscles can help prevent other health conditions related to muscle weakness, such as hernias.
  • Improved self-esteem: Seeing an improvement in the physical appearance of the abdomen can have a positive effect on self-esteem and body image.

For these reasons, a targeted exercise program is a fundamental component of any treatment protocol for abdominal diastasis. Exercises are personalized to the patient's specific needs, and the patient is educated to perform them safely, effectively, and independently.

6

EMSCULPT for passive muscle toning

It complements the benefits of traditional physical exercise through passive muscle toning induced by high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation. Particularly useful for those who cannot do intense physical exercise due to pain or limitations.

EMSCULPT is a device that uses high-intensity muscle electrostimulation to strengthen and tone muscles. It can be an important element in the treatment of abdominal diastasis for several reasons:

  • Muscle Strengthening: EMSCULPT generates thousands of intense muscle contractions that would not otherwise be possible through conventional physical exercise. These contractions can strengthen the muscles and reduce the separation between the rectus abdominis muscles, or strengthen complementary muscles.
  • Efficiency: Studies have shown that EMSCULPT can produce significant results in a relatively short period of time, making it an effective option for those seeking to improve abdominal diastasis.
  • Non-invasive: Unlike surgery, EMSCULPT is non-invasive, which means it does not require incisions or anesthesia. This reduces the risks and recovery times associated with treatment.
  • Passive treatment: Because EMSCULPT works using electrostimulation, it is a passive treatment option. This can be particularly useful for those who cannot do intense physical exercise due to pain, aging, or other limitations.
  • Visible results: Many patients report visible improvements in the shape and tone of the abdominal muscles after using EMSCULPT. This can improve self-esteem and body image.

However, it is important to note that not all EMSCULPT machines are the same: ours is classified as a medical device.
Attention: the effectiveness of results and tolerance to treatment vary from person to person.

7

Post-treatment ultrasound assessment

It measures the success rate of the treatment. It is useful in planning any subsequent steps in the therapeutic pathway.

Performing an ultrasound assessment at the end of a treatment protocol for abdominal diastasis is important for several reasons; here are the main ones:

  • Assessment of treatment effectiveness: Ultrasound can measure and show how much the separation between the rectus abdominis muscles has reduced during treatment. This can help determine whether and how much the treatment has been effective.
  • Planning the next steps: If the diastasis has not completely resolved after treatment, the ultrasound can provide useful information on how to proceed. For example, further treatment or changes to the current approach may be needed.
  • Prevention of future problems: monitoring the resolution of abdominal diastasis can help prevent future complications, such as hernias or postural problems.

Therefore, the final ultrasound provides an essential check of treatment success, allows the next steps to be planned, and gives the patient an objective measure of the progress achieved.

8

Personalized recommendations

Providing the patient with tools to independently manage their condition increases their sense of control and active participation in the healing process. This can improve adherence to treatment and long-term results.

Increased autonomy and proactive patient participation in treatment has the following benefits:

  • Maintaining results over time: Abdominal diastasis may require a long-term management approach. Personalized instructions can help the patient integrate sustainable lifestyle changes, helping them maintain the benefits of treatment over time.
  • Prevention of further complications: By correctly following personalized advice and recommendations, the patient can prevent the diastasis from worsening or further complications from arising.
  • Adaptation to individual needs: Every person is unique, and so is their abdominal diastasis condition. Personalized instructions make it possible to adapt treatment to each individual's specific needs, increasing treatment effectiveness.
  • Emotional support: Managing a condition such as abdominal diastasis can be emotionally difficult. Personalized advice and recommendations can help the patient feel supported and understood, contributing to improved emotional well-being and quality of life.

In summary, providing personalized advice, recommendations, and instructions for the independent management of abdominal diastasis is a fundamental component of treatment, which can significantly contribute to improving treatment effectiveness and the patient's well-being.

NUTRIZIONE PREVENZIONE integrated medicine center, involving its division dedicated to non-surgical Integrated Aesthetic Medicine AESTETICAMED, is the first and only regional medical center to offer a multiprofessional medical protocol, based on medical scientific evidence, for the treatment of Abdominal Diastasis (from obesity or postpartum).

Treatment levels

DIAMANTE BASIC

  • Indicative duration: 2-4 months
  • 1 nutritional consultation with development of a personalized eating profile
  • 1 aesthetic medicine consultation
  • 1 body composition measurement using professional BIA
  • 1 pre-treatment abdominal ultrasound
  • 6 postural re-education/physiotherapy sessions
  • 2 postural re-education/physiotherapy sessions with EM SCULPT medical device
  • 1 nutritional follow-up

DIAMANTE PROGRESS

(only after BASIC)
  • Indicative duration: 6-8 months
  • 16 postural re-education/physiotherapy sessions
  • 8 postural re-education/physiotherapy sessions with EM SCULPT medical device
  • 1 post-treatment abdominal ultrasound

DIAMANTE PREMIUM

  • Indicative duration: 12-14 months
  • 1 nutritional consultation with development of a personalized eating profile
  • 1 aesthetic medicine consultation
  • 2 body composition measurements using professional BIA
  • 1 pre-treatment abdominal ultrasound
  • 25 postural re-education/physiotherapy sessions
  • 15 postural re-education/physiotherapy sessions with EM SCULPT medical device
  • 4 nutritional follow-ups
  • 1 post-treatment abdominal ultrasound

FAQ

The first treatment protocol is DIAMANTE BASIC or DIAMANTE PREMIUM.

The nutritional consultation and the resulting dietary recommendations are essential in the care pathway because without proper nutrition the results of complementary interventions may show reduced effectiveness.

It is our responsibility to ensure ideal conditions to offer patients optimal care, so it is of fundamental importance that the patient also follows our personalized dietary recommendations.

Even with a previous diagnosis, abdominal ultrasound is a necessary step to confirm the diagnosis, determine the severity of the diastasis, rule out factors that would prevent treatment, such as the presence of hernias, and provide guidance for planning the treatment pathway.

Physiotherapy/postural re-education sessions are approximately weekly

  • Holistic Multiprofessional Scientific Approach

    A holistic approach considers the person as a whole and not only for the specific condition. The rigorously scientific approach and the sharing of complementary expertise lead to the definition of more complete and effective treatment pathways

  • Personalized Medical Treatment Protocol

    Defining a personalized protocol ensures that treatment is adapted to each person's specific needs

  • State-of-the-Art Technology

    The use of machines certified as “medical devices” offers maximum safety guarantees and involves the use of energy levels much higher than those permitted by regulations in ordinary non-medical aesthetic centers