Quick Overview
A 2017 study published in the Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine tested whether adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES - a niche of EMS) to abdominal exercises could better heal postnatal abdominal separation than exercises alone.
Sixty women, two months after giving birth, were split into two groups. One received NMES + exercises, the other did exercises only, for 8 weeks.
Results were impressive: The NMES group achieved a 50% reduction in muscle gap (vs 26%) and far greater strength gains — up to 95% improvement in core power compared to 40% in the exercise-only group.
Research Conclusion: NMES significantly boosts recovery of separated abdominal muscles after pregnancy.
Mums, This Could Be the Game-Changer You've Been Waiting For!
New study reveals NMES - a niche of EMS, plus exercises beats ordinary workouts hands-down for fixing post-baby abdominal separation
A groundbreaking new piece of research has just given hope to thousands of postnatal mums still battling that frustrating “mummy pooch” long after giving birth.
The study, published in the Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2017, is the first ever to test whether adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to normal abdominal exercises can deliver dramatically better results for diastasis recti – the common condition where the six-pack muscles separate down the middle of the tummy.
And the results are incredibly positive.
Researchers Dalia M. Kamel and Amel M. Yousif recruited 60 women who were exactly two months postnatal. All of them had a noticeable diastasis recti (more than 2.5 cm gap between the rectus abdominis muscles). They were split into two groups:
- Group A received NMES (a gentle electrical stimulation that makes the muscles contract) plus a targeted abdominal exercise programme
- Group B did the same abdominal exercises only
Both groups trained three times a week for eight weeks.
The outcome? Both groups improved – but Group A smashed it.
The NMES group achieved a massive 50% reduction in inter recti distance compared to just 25.88% in the exercise-only group. That means the gap between the separated tummy muscles closed twice as effectively when NMES was added.
Even more impressive, the women who received NMES saw far superior gains in abdominal muscle strength. They recorded:
- 75.88% improvement in peak torque
- 95.51% improvement in maximum repetition total work
- 76.26% improvement in average power
The exercise-only group managed respectable but clearly lower gains of 53.52%, 40.29% and 32.9% respectively.
Group A also showed significantly better reductions in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio – visible changes that many mums dream of after pregnancy.
Importantly, BMI improved similarly in both groups, showing that the extra benefits from NMES weren’t just about weight loss – they were about genuine muscle recovery and core strength.
Lead researcher Dalia M. Kamel concluded:
“NMES helps reduce DRAM in postnatal women; if combined with abdominal exercises, it can augment the effects.”
In plain English: adding NMES to your tummy exercises works significantly better than exercises alone for closing the gap and rebuilding a strong, toned core after childbirth.
Why this matters for real mums Diastasis recti isn’t just about appearance. It can cause lower back pain, poor posture, pelvic instability and that constant feeling that your core is “gone”. Many women feel lost and don’t know what actually works. This study finally gives clear, evidence-based hope.
The beauty of the findings is that the NMES treatment was safe, well-tolerated and produced noticeably stronger and faster results without any extra effort beyond the normal exercise sessions.
The bottom line?
If you’re a postnatal mum still struggling with abdominal separation, this 2017 research suggests that combining NMES with proper abdominal exercises could be the missing piece that finally helps you close the gap and regain a strong, functional core.
The study authors are clear: this combination is superior to exercises alone.
Always check with your doctor or women’s health physiotherapist before starting any new treatment – but for many women, this could be the positive breakthrough they’ve been searching for.
Study reference: Kamel DM, Yousif AM. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Strength Recovery of Postnatal Diastasis Recti Abdominis Muscles. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine 2017;41(3):465-474.
Have you tried anything for your diastasis recti? Drop your experiences in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you! 💕
Link to original study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5532353/
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Always consult your doctor or women’s health physiotherapist before using any EMS related device after pregnancy. Individual results may vary.
Full Summary Table of the Research Paper
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Strength Recovery of Postnatal Diastasis Recti Abdominis Muscles |
| Authors | Dalia M. Kamel, PhD & Amel M. Yousif, PhD |
| Published in | Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine (South Korea) |
| Publication Year & Details | 2017; Volume 41, Issue 3, Pages 465–474 |
| Study Design | Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) |
| Objective | To assess the effect of adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to abdominal exercises on the recovery of abdominal muscle strength and reduction of diastasis recti in postnatal women |
| Participants | 60 women (2 months postnatal) Final analysis: Group A = 29, Group B = 28 |
| Inclusion Criteria | • Diastasis recti > 2.5 cm • BMI < 30 kg/m² • Waist/hip ratio > 0.85 • Age 25–35 years • Normal vaginal delivery • Parity ≤ 4 |
| Exclusion Criteria | Previous caesarean, multiple pregnancy, abdominal/back surgery, pregnancy complications, skin diseases, spinal disorders |
| Intervention Duration | 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week |
| Group A (Experimental) | NMES (80 Hz, 30 minutes) + Abdominal exercises |
| Group B (Control) | Abdominal exercises only |
| Abdominal Exercise Program | Sit-ups, reverse sit-ups, reverse trunk twists, U-seat exercises + diaphragmatic breathing (20 reps, progressively increased) |
| Primary Outcomes | • Inter-recti distance (IRD) measured by ultrasound • Abdominal muscle strength (isokinetic Biodex): Peak torque, Maximum repetition total work, Average power |
| Secondary Outcomes | BMI, Waist circumference, Waist/hip ratio |
| Key Results – IRD Reduction | Group A: 50% reduction Group B: 25.88% reduction Statistically significant in favour of NMES group (p < 0.0001) |
| Key Results – Muscle Strength | Group A showed dramatically higher gains: • Peak torque: 75.88% improvement • Total work: 95.51% improvement • Average power: 76.26% improvement Group B: 53.52%, 40.29%, 32.9% respectively All differences highly significant (p < 0.05) |
| Other Significant Findings | • Greater reduction in waist circumference and waist/hip ratio in NMES group • BMI improved similarly in both groups |
| Conclusion (Direct Quote) | “NMES helps reduce DRAM in postnatal women; if combined with abdominal exercises, it can augment the effects.” |
| Authors’ Final Statement | This was the first study to investigate NMES for postnatal diastasis recti and showed that adding NMES is valuable for abdominal muscle recovery. |
Important Disclaimer
The information in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is based on a 2017 scientific study and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This blog post does not claim that the Original Ultimate ORIEMSFIT Kit (or any EMS device) treats, cures, prevents, or heals diastasis recti, abdominal separation, or any medical condition.
Individual results vary. Always consult your doctor, women’s health physiotherapist, or qualified healthcare professional before using any EMS device, especially during the postnatal period.
We do not guarantee any specific outcome from using the featured product. Use of any information or product mentioned in this post is entirely at your own risk. The author and website owners accept no responsibility or liability for any injury, loss, or damage (direct or indirect) that may result from reading this article or using any product featured.
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