side stitches

[rachelroo]

lately every time I run I get a horrible side stitch in my left side. I think part of it is a medication that I'm on because I had the same problem last month when I was on it, but I'm wondering what you guys do for these? I don't have any problems when I'm swimming or biking, just on the run. Ideas?
-Rachel

[makbike]

Try slowing your breathing down. I've also found it helpful to breath in through my nose and exhale through my mouth like I'm blowing candles out on a cake.

Hope this helps.

[alpinerabbit]

What makbike said, and try to consciously relax when you exhale. It's hard to explain but sort of like letting your belly fall. It's helped me before when I had side stitches. And then when they're gone, try to breathe regularly and not "straining", just controlled relaxed breathing.

AFAIK side stitches are a cramp in the diaphragm - maybe the meds are dehydrating you or something, try some water and magnesium?

[colby]

+1 on the breathing. I read somewhere to take a deep breath and exhale FULLY two or three times, then gradually increase your breathing back to normal. It seems to really help. Thinking about relaxing your body when you do it helps.

I did have a period where I got side stitches and just could NOT get rid of them. I went and got a massage and he dug around in my diaphragm and ab muscles and loosened them back up. Maybe some core stretching would also help.

[rachelroo]

I didn't have any problems all week until a brick yesterday, and I tried pushing out all of the air and it worked! Thank you so much. I love this forum!