Methods of detecting rectus abdominis separation generally include a physical examination and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis. Physical examination is one of the more common assessment methods used by doctors and requires a visit to the hospital for the doctor to perform the examination. It generally requires the patient to lie on his or her back with the knees bent at 90 degrees and relaxed on a treatment bed. The doctor initially measures the distance between the inner edges of the rectus abdominis muscle on both sides with a finger above and below the umbilicus. Imaging tests include ultrasound, CT or MRI. The most commonly used of these is ultrasound, which directly measures the distance of the rectus abdominis muscle separation and is non-invasive and relatively simple to do. Ultrasound imaging is an effective means of evaluating the shape of the abdominal muscles. If you feel that your body has diastasis recti separation, then you can visit a hospital, such as a rehabilitation medicine department, and have your doctor monitor you to determine the extent of diastasis recti separation and then develop a treatment plan.