Muscle

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EMSCULPT for separated stomach muscles

EMSCULPT for diastasis recti in Hale, Altrincham

Build stronger abdominal muscles and improve the firmness of your middle, with a non-surgical option that may also help mild abdominal separation.

Your stomach may still stick out long after pregnancy, or form a ridge down the middle when you sit up. Perhaps it feels weaker during Pilates, lifting or everyday movement, even though you're back to your usual weight.

A separation between the stomach muscles is called diastasis recti. EMSCULPT can strengthen the abdominal muscles and may help reduce mild separation as part of an assessed treatment plan. Dr Alex will look at what is happening in your abdomen and explain how treatment, exercise or physiotherapy could help.

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Medical assessment with Dr Alex at SONÜ, with a plan for your recovery, symptoms and goals.

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One abdominal area
£185 per session
Downtime
Usually none
Starting course
Commonly four sessions
Treatment time
About 30 minutes

What you might be noticing

Your middle still feels different

A change in shape can be frustrating, but you may be just as interested in feeling stronger and more comfortable using your core.

A ridge when you sit up

You notice your stomach dome or peak along the centre when you get out of bed or do certain exercises. You'd like to understand why and what to do next.

Your stomach still sticks out

Your weight may have settled, but your abdomen looks different in a fitted top. You wonder how much is muscle separation, fat or loose skin.

Your core doesn't feel as strong

Holding a position in yoga or Pilates takes more effort than you remember. You want a sensible way to rebuild strength without guessing which exercises to do.

At a glance

A course planned around your abdomen

Assessment comes first, including your recovery after pregnancy or any previous surgery.

One abdominal area
£185 per session
Four-session package £600; six sessions £850. Consultation £75 separately.
Downtime
Usually none
Your abs may feel tired or tender, similar to after exercise.
Starting course
Commonly four sessions
Your plan takes account of the separation and any rehabilitation you are doing.
Treatment time
About 30 minutes
Allow additional appointment time for preparation and checks.
Results
Develop over weeks
The abdomen is reviewed after the course, with changes continuing over the following months.

The change to aim for

A stronger middle you can put to use

The main aim is to develop the abdominal muscles and improve firmness, with possible improvement in mild separation.

You might be hoping for a stomach that feels firmer, less obvious bulging or more strength as you return to exercise. Dr Alex will discuss which of those changes EMSCULPT is likely to help with.

The width of the gap is only part of the assessment. How your abdomen works during movement, your symptoms and the condition of the skin also help determine the right plan.

✓

✓

Stronger abdominal muscles.

✓

A firmer feel through the stomach.

✓

Possible reduction in mild abdominal separation.

✓

Additional muscle work alongside an appropriate recovery programme.

Is it right for you?

An option once your abdomen has been assessed

You can come in with a concern about the shape or feel of your stomach; you do not need to diagnose it yourself.

The change has persisted after pregnancy
Once you've recovered from childbirth, treatment may be worth considering if muscle weakness or separation is still bothering you. Timing depends on your recovery, including any Caesarean birth or other surgery.
You want to explore a non-surgical approach
EMSCULPT may suit a mild separation where building muscle could help. Dr Alex can explain what is achievable before you commit to a course.
You are rebuilding your core
Treatment can sit alongside suitable exercise or pelvic-health physiotherapy. Learning how to use your abdominal muscles during everyday movement remains part of recovery.

When a different plan is needed

A hernia needs its own assessment

Diastasis is a widening between the abdominal muscles; a hernia is a different problem and can occur alongside it. EMSCULPT does not repair a hernia. A painful bulge, significant separation or substantial excess skin may need further assessment or a surgical opinion.

How it works

Strong contractions help build the abdominal muscles

During pregnancy, the tissue between the two sides of the abdominal muscles stretches to make room for your baby. Sometimes the gap remains wider afterwards. It can also happen without pregnancy.

EMSCULPT uses focused electromagnetic energy to trigger around 20,000 powerful muscle contractions in a 30-minute abdominal session. These involuntary, supramaximal contractions give the muscles a strong stimulus to develop.

For suitable patients, that muscle development can improve abdominal firmness and may help reduce the separation. Treatment can fit alongside the exercises you are using to rebuild control and strength.

Your appointment

Understand the separation, then choose your next step

Dr Alex will explain what he finds in ordinary language and discuss the options with you.

Consultation

Talk through what has changed

Bring up any doming, weakness, discomfort, previous pregnancies or abdominal surgery. Dr Alex examines your abdomen and checks whether you need further assessment before muscle treatment.
Planning

Agree what treatment should achieve

You discuss the likely benefit, the number and spacing of sessions, the fee and how treatment fits with exercise or physiotherapy. If EMSCULPT is unlikely to help enough, he will explain the alternatives.
About 30 minutes

Let the abdominal muscles work

You lie down with the applicator secured over your abdomen. The contractions start at a manageable level and are increased according to your tolerance. You can speak to the practitioner throughout.
After the course

Review how your middle looks and feels

Allow time for the muscles to respond. At review, discuss changes in firmness, shape and your original symptoms, alongside how you are getting on with activity.

Why Dr Alex

Understanding what your abdomen needs

Dr Alex is a medical doctor and the founder of SONÜ. He assesses the abdominal muscles, checks for features that may suggest a hernia and considers your recovery, symptoms and previous surgery before recommending EMSCULPT.

He can also separate concerns that often get grouped together as a 'post-baby tummy': muscle weakness, separation, local fat and excess skin. If pelvic floor weakness or bladder leakage is affecting you too, he can discuss Core2Floor or explain when pelvic-health physiotherapy would be the better starting point.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Safety and aftercare

Give your muscles time to respond

Temporary soreness, tiredness or cramps can occur after treatment, much like after an abdominal workout.

Possible side effects

The contractions should remain tolerable. Tell the practitioner about sharp pain or uncomfortable pulling so treatment can be adjusted or stopped. Follow the advice on exercise, particularly if you are also following a postnatal rehabilitation plan.

When to get urgent help

Seek urgent medical assessment for sudden severe abdominal pain, vomiting or a new painful, firm bulge. These should not be assumed to be diastasis or treatment soreness. Contact the clinic promptly for worsening pain, marked swelling, new numbness or weakness; use NHS 111 if you cannot reach the team.

When treatment may not be suitable

EMSCULPT is not used during pregnancy. Tell Dr Alex about breastfeeding, recent childbirth or surgery, a known or suspected hernia, metal or electronic implants, and muscle or nerve conditions. Pacemakers and other electronic or metal implants can prevent safe treatment. Your recovery must be assessed before starting.

You will receive aftercare advice and know who to contact with concerns.

Treatment costs

EMSCULPT diastasis recti treatment prices

EMSCULPT for one abdominal treatment area is £185 per session. A four-session package costs £600, or six sessions cost £850.

One agreed area
£185per session
Four sessions
£600per package for one agreed area
Six sessions
£850per package for one agreed area
Your plan confirms the muscle groups included and the total course cost. ONDA and Core2Floor combinations are quoted separately.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
Book a consultation
The consultation with Dr Alex is £75, charged separately. He will explain whether a course is appropriate before you decide. Any Core2Floor combination or additional treatment is quoted separately.

Your questions

About separation, recovery and treatment

Answers to the questions that often come with a change in your stomach after pregnancy.

How do I know whether I have diastasis recti?
A central ridge or doming when you sit up can be a clue, but appearance or a finger-width check at home does not tell the whole story. An assessment looks at the gap, the tissue between the muscles and how your abdomen works. A distinct lump or painful bulge needs checking for a hernia.
Can EMSCULPT close the gap completely?
It may reduce mild separation while strengthening the abdominal muscles. Whether the gap closes fully depends on your starting point; complete closure is not something Dr Alex will promise. A stronger, firmer abdomen can still be a worthwhile improvement, even if some separation remains.
How soon after having a baby can I start?
Once you've recovered sufficiently and been assessed. Your postnatal check is a useful opportunity to discuss persistent doming or weakness, but it isn't automatic clearance for EMSCULPT. Dr Alex will consider the time since birth, healing, breastfeeding, symptoms and any complications before advising when to start.
Can I have it after a C-section?
Potentially, once the incision and deeper tissues have healed appropriately. Tell Dr Alex when you had surgery and whether you still have pain, swelling or concerns about the scar. The assessment determines timing; simply reaching a particular number of weeks does not suit everyone.
Should I try physiotherapy or exercises first?
Appropriate exercise and physiotherapy are good starting points, particularly after childbirth. They help you learn to coordinate your breathing, abdominal muscles and pelvic floor. EMSCULPT can provide additional muscle stimulation where suitable; it works alongside that rehabilitation rather than teaching those skills for you.
Will it flatten my stomach or remove the loose skin?
Building muscle may improve firmness and reduce some of the bulging associated with mild separation. It will not remove a fold of excess skin, and fat can also affect the outline. Dr Alex will explain which changes are likely from muscle treatment and which would need another approach.
Can it help back pain?
Diastasis and back discomfort can occur together, but pain can have several causes. Have persistent or worsening pain assessed so you get the right advice. EMSCULPT may support an abdominal-strengthening goal; it is not offered as a stand-alone treatment for back pain.
Can I combine it with treatment for bladder leaks?
Yes, if both treatments are appropriate. SONÜ offers Core2Floor, combining abdominal EMSCULPT with EMSELLA for the pelvic floor. It may suit someone concerned about a weaker middle and leaks when coughing, laughing or exercising. Dr Alex assesses the symptoms and explains where pelvic-health physiotherapy fits too.
What if I become pregnant again?
A future pregnancy can stretch the abdominal wall again. Tell Dr Alex if you are planning a pregnancy soon, so you can discuss whether a course now makes sense for you. EMSCULPT is not used during pregnancy.
When is surgery more appropriate?
Surgical advice may be useful for a substantial separation with ongoing problems, a hernia or a large amount of excess skin. Dr Alex can explain when the change you want is beyond muscle stimulation. EMSCULPT does not stitch the muscles together or remove skin.

Other options

Support for your abdomen and pelvic floor

Pelvic-health physiotherapy can help with rehabilitation and movement control. EMSELLA is the pelvic floor part of Core2Floor. The general EMSCULPT abdomen page covers muscle tone and definition; separate fat or skin concerns may suit ONDA or another treatment after assessment.

EMSCULPT abdomen treatment in Hale, Altrincham

Build and firm your abdominal muscles with needle-free EMSCULPT treatment and minimal interruption to your day.

Your next step

You don't have to work out the gap on your own

Book a £75 consultation with Dr Alex at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. Bring the change you've noticed, whether that's doming, a persistent gap or a middle that feels weaker, and find out what could help you move forward.

Book a consultation Contact the clinic
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire