ActiveMan
No Result
View All Result
  • Health & Fitness
  • Style
  • Living
  • Culture
  • Health & Fitness
  • Style
  • Living
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
ActiveMan
No Result
View All Result

What Is A Side Stitch?

The agonizing side stitch and what your can do to avoid it mid workout.

by Kelly Doro
in Health & Fitness
Reading Time: 4 mins read
What Is A Side Stitch?
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Side stitches, classified as exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP). Ranging from a dull cramp to a stabbing pain, side stitches can quickly turn a good workout into an agonizing chore. Pain is usually felt on the right side and can run the entire length of the abdomen. Additionally, localized pain can be felt in other areas of the body.

How Does a Side Stitch Occur?

The effects of a side cramp

The onset of a side stitch is unknown, however, it is thought that these cramp-like spasms occur when the diaphragm is overworked or are due to irritation in the pelvic cavity and lining of the abdomen. Commonly felt during prolonged periods of exercise, over 70 percent of runners have reported suffering through a side stitch yearly.

Shoulder cramps often occur simultaneously with side stitches, inferring irritation in the abdomen can cause multiple locations of pain.

Do Hyperbolic Stretching to Improve Flexibility and Core Strength

Side stitches can affect even the most experienced athletes. Things like eating a large meal before a workout, consuming sugary sports drinks, and dehydration can lead to cramps. Further research, from the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, has identified poor posture during exercise can cause more frequent occurrences of side stitches as well as more severe pain in the abdomen.

How to Prevent the Onset of Side Stitches

hydration is one of the methods that can help prevent cramping

In order to prevent a side stitch, you must begin prepping for a workout 2-3 hours in advance.

  • Avoid eating foods high in fat and fiber within the hours before exercising.
  • Avoid sugary drinks before a workout and begin hydrating with water at least 3 hours before your workout. Read more about healthy alternative electrolyte supplements for water.
  • Decrease the time of your workout. (You can increase the intensity to receive similar results).
  • If a runner, slowly increases the duration or mileage of your run week by week.
  • Practice good posture throughout the day, and especially during your workout.
  • Increasing your fitness overall can also help reduce the frequency of side stitches. More experienced athletes report less cramping than amateurs.

How to Treat a Side Stitch

stretching and other methods to treat a side stitch

If you have followed the above suggestions and still find yourself suffering through pain during your workout, there are some things you can do to decrease the severity of the cramping.

  • Slow down. Take a deep breath. Listening to your body during a workout is crucial. So, if you feel a side stitch during your workout, take it easy.
  • Focus on your breath. Taking deep inhales and slow exhales and helps relax the muscles in your diaphragm and abdomen, reducing muscle spasms.
  • Stretch the area of pain. Reaching your arms overhead lean away from the side body of which you feel the spasms. Breath into these muscles and actively feel them relax.
  • Massage the area of pain. Slowly press your fingers into your side to release the tension and relieve pain.
  • Finally, HYDRATE!!! Hydrate before, during, after, and in your sleep. Keeping your muscles hydrated prevents the spasm of cramping.
  • The main message is to listen to your body and to be kind to your muscles. Intense workouts can put your body through serious stress. Signals of pain is your body telling you to slow down. Know your ability and prepare accordingly.

Read Also:

Aching Back? 7 Ways To Relieve Your Back Pain

How Long Does It Take To Walk A Mile?

The Last Tycoon Brings Back Vintage

Thinking of Taking Steroids? Here’s What You Need to Know

Top 8 Healthy Choices When Dining Out

ShareTweet
Previous Post

How Many Miles Can You Get Out of Well-Maintained Dodge Caliber?

Next Post

The Complete Chevy SUV Line – Which Is the Best SUV for You?

Related Posts

meditation

Meditation 101 – Learn To Meditate

Meditation is a practice that has been around for centuries, but it’s only in recent years that we have seen...

healthy

Eight Tips to Live a Healthy Life Naturally

A new day brings with it new opportunities to improve one’s life, obviously including a healthier lifestyle. Living a vibrant...

Relieve Seasonal Depression

5 Workout Routines To Relieve Seasonal Depression

Do you feel down during the cold and shorter days of winter? While having winter blues is typically normal, it's...

water hydrated

Top Foods for Staying Hydrated

Water is the most important nutrient for your body and brain, but it’s also one of the hardest things to...

older

4 Tips for Staying Safe & Healthy as You Age

Whether we’d like to admit it or not, our bodies require more upkeep and focus as we age compared to...

mens health

3 Tips for Looking after Men’s Mental Health

Mental health issues are widespread, and while we have the pandemic to thank for its contribution to the rise in...

drug impact

How Drugs Can Have An Impact On Your Well-Being

The impact of drugs on well-being can be significant. Different drugs can have different effects on a person’s mood, energy,...

biotin benefits

Everything You Need to Know About Biotin

Biotin is an essential supplement for men, especially men who are struggling with hair loss or thinning hair.

Do Hyperbolic Stretching to Improve Flexibility and Core Strength

Do Hyperbolic Stretching to Improve Flexibility and Core Strength

Hyperbolic stretching is a 4-week stretching workout program launched and created by Alex Larsson. The program ensures to improve your...

Load More
Health & Fitness

10 Men’s Style Bloggers And Influencers in New York

Relationships

10 Delicious Foods That Will Make You Horny

Health & Fitness

What Is A Side Stitch?

Health & Fitness

6 Creative Hacks On How To Lace Vans Like A Rockstar

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact us

© 2021 ActiveMan. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. All the information on this website –activeman.com – is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. ActiveMan does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website (ActiveMan), is strictly at your own risk. ActiveMan will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. ActiveMan might get paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. ActiveMan is a registered trademark of Placeful, Inc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Health & Fitness
  • Style
  • Living
  • Culture

© 2020 ActiveMan. All rights reserved. All images property of their respective owners. ActiveMan is a registered trademark of Placeful, Inc.