Side stiches (Read 732 times)

Huh...I rarely get side-aches when running, anymore, but I used to get them when I was younger all the time. Guess my erratic breathing is a good thing! k

Generally, side stitches occur in new runners, or in runners that are just starting out after being away from running for quite some time. It usually isn't the first day, or even the first week, but they come early in a runner's training cycle. They eventually go away, and will rarely return. In the meantime, the pain is often relieved (while running) if you suck in your stomache and/or lift your arm (on the offending side) over your head. That has the effect of "stretching" your abdominable muscles, much as you would stretch out a muscle with a cramp. As you keep going on the current run, the pain eventually goes away (and you can let down your arm, btw).

Generally, side stitches occur in new runners, or in runners that are just starting out after being away from running for quite some time. It usually isn't the first day, or even the first week, but they come early in a runner's training cycle. They eventually go away, and will rarely return. In the meantime, the pain is often relieved (while running) if you suck in your stomache and/or lift your arm (on the offending side) over your head. That has the effect of "stretching" your abdominable muscles, much as you would stretch out a muscle with a cramp. As you keep going on the current run, the pain eventually goes away (and you can let down your arm, btw).

That's been my experience too.. I often get them but ONLY in the first week after I come back to running after a little break. I haven't tried the methods described here, but they sound good... I've always found that pressing on my abs (either side) helps, and I suspect that is probably for the same stretching reasons Pron8r listed above. Also, I should add that I've heard lots of people claim that getting more potassium (eat a banana before a run?) helps, but that might be complete hoooey.