Diastasis Recti · Sacramento Area

Diastasis Recti Physical Therapy | Floora PT Sacramento

The belly that still looks pregnant. The core that feels hollow and disconnected. The back pain that won't go away. Diastasis recti is not fixed by kegels, waist trainers, or YouTube core videos — it requires progressive, targeted rehab. Dr. Loretta Barry, DPT helps Sacramento-area moms heal their core for real.

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★★★★★

"Her encouragement and customized exercises have made a huge difference in my recovery and strength."

— Colleen Kinder

Mom rebuilding core strength through diastasis recti physical therapy with Floora PT

Does This Sound Like You?

Signs Your Core Needs More Than Just Exercise

These are the common signs of diastasis recti. Some are visible. Some are felt. All of them are treatable with the right approach.

Belly doming or coning — a ridge or cone shape appears down the center of your abdomen when you do sit-ups or get up from lying down
Core weakness — can't generate real abdominal strength, feels disconnected or ineffective no matter how much you train
Persistent lower back pain — back pain that doesn't respond to treatment because the underlying core dysfunction hasn't been addressed
Disconnected from your core — difficulty feeling your abdominal muscles engage, especially with deep breathing or lifting
Postpartum belly that won't change — still looking or feeling pregnant months after delivery despite exercise and diet
Pressure, leaking, or pelvic floor symptoms — diastasis and pelvic floor dysfunction often co-exist and reinforce each other

How Dr. Loretta Barry Helps

Real Core Rehab — Not Just Crunches

Diastasis recti is a connective tissue issue that requires a specific, progressive rehab approach. Most online programs focus on the wrong things — avoiding all "crunching" movements, doing isolated deep core exercises indefinitely, or using wraps and binders. Real diastasis rehab is more strategic than that.

Intra-abdominal pressure management. The primary driver of diastasis progression and symptom persistence is unmanaged pressure inside the abdomen. Dr. Loretta Barry teaches breath mechanics and movement strategies that protect the linea alba under load — the foundation that makes all subsequent exercise effective.

Progressive core loading. The linea alba heals and strengthens when it's progressively loaded — not protected forever. Dr. Loretta Barry builds a systematic loading program that starts with foundational coordination and builds toward full strength, including the exercises you actually want to do: running, lifting, HIIT, and more.

Daily movement modification. Certain habitual movements — how you get out of bed, how you pick things up, how you carry your baby — place unnecessary stress on a healing diastasis. Dr. Loretta Barry identifies and corrects these patterns early so your everyday life supports healing instead of working against it.

Pelvic floor integration. Diastasis and pelvic floor dysfunction almost always co-exist. Dr. Loretta Barry assesses and treats both — because treating one without the other leaves results on the table.

The Process

Restore. Retrain. Reclaim.

Healing diastasis recti follows a clear progression — from foundational tension and pressure management to progressive loading to returning to any activity you choose.

Restore

Establish linea alba tension, learn breath mechanics, and build the foundational core connection that makes progressive loading possible. Stop movements that are working against healing.

Retrain

Progressive core loading — systematically building strength and function across the entire core system, including the pelvic floor. Earn back each exercise with proper mechanics and progression.

Reclaim

Return to running, lifting, classes, sports — without doming, leaking, or back pain. A core that works the way it should, in every situation life demands.

How We Work Together

Premium, 1-on-1 PT — In Clinic, Virtually, or In Your Home

Three ways to get care — all 1-on-1, all with Dr. Loretta Barry. Choose what fits your life.

At Our Lincoln Clinic

Our primary location — 583 F St, Suite 112, Lincoln, CA. A beautiful new building with a private, fully equipped treatment room. Easy access, plenty of parking, no waiting room.

583 F St Suite 112 · Lincoln, CA 95648

Virtual Sessions

Remote 1-on-1 care via video — ideal for education, exercise programming, and follow-up visits. Available to patients anywhere in California.

In-Home Sessions

Dr. Loretta Barry comes to you — no commute, no childcare scramble. Work on your core in the same environment where you live and move every day.

Every session is 1-on-1 with Dr. Loretta Barry — no aides, no techs, no handoffs. Learn more about our Lincoln clinic →

What Patients Say

44 Five-Star Reviews and Counting

"Loretta easily pinpointed what I needed to do to rebuild my strength. She gave thorough guidance and created a beneficial plan to help me reach my goals. She is extremely knowledgeable."

— Ariel Shiboyan

"Dr. Loretta Barry is fantastic! She is very personable, making the appointment very comfortable. Her exercises and techniques are helping me strengthen my pelvic floor and abs postpartum."

— Rebecca Rogers

Heal Your Core — Book a Free Call

Common Questions

Diastasis Recti PT — What You Need to Know

What is diastasis recti?

Diastasis recti (DR) is a separation of the two sides of the rectus abdominis (the "six-pack" muscle) along the midline of the abdomen. It happens in most pregnancies to some degree as the uterus expands. The key issue isn't just the width of the gap — it's how well the linea alba (the connective tissue between the muscles) can generate tension and transfer load.

Can I close my diastasis recti with PT?

The goal of diastasis recti PT isn't just to narrow the gap — it's to restore function. Dr. Loretta Barry focuses on improving the tension and load-bearing capacity of the linea alba through progressive core loading. Most patients see significant improvement in both functional symptoms and gap size. A small residual gap that functions well is far better than a closed gap with poor core mechanics.

Should I avoid crunches and sit-ups with diastasis recti?

Crunches and sit-ups aren't inherently dangerous with diastasis recti — but they're often inappropriate in the early stages of rehab. The key is managing intra-abdominal pressure. Dr. Loretta Barry teaches you which movements to modify, which to avoid initially, and a progressive return plan that eventually includes all the exercises you want to do.

How long does diastasis recti take to heal with PT?

Most patients begin feeling meaningfully stronger and more functional within 6–10 sessions. Significant improvement in the gap itself often follows. Timeline depends on the severity of the separation, how long it's been present, and how well the home program is followed. Dr. Loretta Barry will give you a realistic assessment at your first visit.

Can diastasis recti cause back pain?

Yes. Diastasis recti impairs the load transfer function of the core, which often shifts strain onto the lower back and hips. Many women with DR experience persistent back pain that doesn't respond to treatment until the core dysfunction is addressed. Healing the diastasis often resolves the back pain too.