What to do against side stitch?
4 min read
Asked by: Edris Kosmo
Here are some tips to help you stop a side stitch in its tracks:
- Slow down. When you’re running, the goal is to keep moving. …
- Practice belly breathing. Belly breathing, aka diaphragmatic breathing, requires you to slow down and bring focus to your breath. …
- Stretch your arms and your abs. …
- Push on the stitch.
How do you get rid of side stitch pain?
If the pain is on your right side, raise your right hand overhead and gently bend your torso in the opposite direction of the pain until you feel a gentle stretch. When the side stitch pain begins to ease up, start walking and gradually work your way back up to a full pace run.
How do you get rid of side stitches fast?
When a side stitch occurs, stop running and take some deep breaths. Then, press your first two fingers in and slightly upward directly where it hurts and hold for about 10 seconds. While pressing in and up, take more deep breaths.
How do you deal with side stitches?
Once you get a side stitch, treatment is simple. Stop running and take long, slow deep breaths. I also recommend what I call the “Nike Swoosh” stretch because you look like their logo: Stretch with both arms extended to the sky then bend sideways at the waist to each side; hold for 15 seconds on each side.
Why won’t my side stitch go away?
A side stitch will usually resolve on its own within a few minutes or after you stop exercising. But if your side stitch doesn’t go away after several hours, even after you stop exercising, you may need to seek medical care. It may be the result of a more serious underlying medical condition.
What causes side stitches without exercise?
There are various reasons side stitches may occur. “It is thought to be related to improper training, dehydration, incorrect breathing, weak core or pelvic floor muscles, or eating too much before activity,” says Sara Mikulsky, MD, a physical therapist and owner of Wellness Physical Therapy, PLLC in New York City.
Can a side stitch last for days?
At their worst, side stitches can persist as pain or lasting tightness for several days. At their most innocuous, they can go away in a few seconds.
Why do I keep getting a stitch in my ribs?
A stitch can occur during any kind of mid- to high-intensity exercise, however it is mostly associated with running. A current explanation is that during running, the stitch is caused by the weight of organs such as the stomach, spleen and liver pulling on ligaments that connect them to the diaphragm.
Why do side stitches happen?
The jarring motion of running continuously in addition to breathing in and out stretches these ligaments and prevents them from having enough time to relax. When this happens, the diaphragm becomes stressed and a spasm, the stitch you feel, is more likely to occur.
Are side stitches normal?
People who exercise have likely had a side stitch at one time or another. It is an annoying, painful sensation that can cause a person to stop exercising sooner than planned. However, a side stitch is not harmful and does not require medical attention.
What feels like a side stitch?
A side stitch feels like a sharp localized pain found in the middle abdomen. When the pain is severe it can feel like a sharp stabbing pain, after subsiding the pain often feels like an aching cramping or pulling. Adolescent are the most common to fall victim to these side pains.
What is a side stitch pain?
A side stitch is an intense stabbing abdominal pain under the lower edge of the ribcage that occurs during exercise. It is also called a side ache, side cramp, muscle stitch, or simply stitch, and the medical term is exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP).
Why do I get a stitch so easily?
But the most popular theory is that a stitch is triggered by irritation of the parietal peritoneum, the membrane corset that wraps around your abdominal area. During exercise, your trunk muscles become tired and your back muscles over-engage to compensate, pressing on nerves felt in your abdomen, side or shoulders.
Does a stitch mean you’re unfit?
If you’ve ever been sidelined by a side stitch, you’re in good company. Research suggests that approximately 70 percent of runners experience this phenomenon in a year. Also known as exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP), a stitch is localized pain felt on one side of your abdomen.
How do I get rid of a stitch under my ribs?
Here are some tips to help you stop a side stitch in its tracks:
- Slow down. When you’re running, the goal is to keep moving. …
- Practice belly breathing. Belly breathing, aka diaphragmatic breathing, requires you to slow down and bring focus to your breath. …
- Stretch your arms and your abs. …
- Push on the stitch.
