All through the medical world splints have been used for broken bones, or muscle and ligament tears. Crude splints from tree limbs have been fashioned when no other options are available. Nowadays we are using a splint in core rehabilitation to aid in the healing process.
But why use a splint? Just like in orthopedics, the splint helps hold the correct position even while resting. Regular activities are semi restricted so optimal healing can occur. It also gives you support and decreases pain in normally unsupported areas (back, hips, etc.) while the diastasis recti is healing. A splint is a temporary girdle on the outside while your internal abdomens are healing. That is why we recommended that you never use a splint without doing the correct core exercises during rehabilitation.
When we splint, we bring the two sides of the Rectus Abdominis (6-pack abs) closer together. If they are closer together, they are in a better position to work during all your rehab work and also in daily life. When the two sides of the Rectus Abdominals are closer together, the connective tissue between them can heal easier, i.e., the excess tissue to reabsorb and get smaller, assist in the blood flow to this area, and thicken.
A splint can provide emotional stability too as it gives one a feeling of stability and connection. Let our clinicians make a splint part of your integrated, functional core rehabilitation.
