cramps/stitches

I was taught to control stitches with breathing. I try to breathh in my nose and out my mouth, this usually works for me.

Edited by phule1970 2004-05-28 9:10 PM

Ive read different theories on the cause...it seems its usually attributed to irritation of the diaphragm which moves during breathing, so alternate breathing pattern should help. I read in a running magazine or book that it may help to hold (ie put pressure on that side).

A bannana a day keeps the cramps away. Nutrition is very important. one of the main causes can be low potasium, sodium or water. A bannana, some salt in your diet and at least 8 glasses of water or juice(I do about a gallon a day). There can be many other causes such as stretching and breathing. breath deep into your stomach with controled breth. Good luck.

I read that switching your breathing pattern can help and that's what I started doing. Most of the time, I breathed when my right foot hit the ground. I switched it around to where I breathe when my left foot hits the ground. That seems to have helped a lot. Other than that, I run through it the best I can.

I've just got back from a run wherein I was continually getting stitches. It's something that's dogged my running almost every time I've been out, and make me neglect that part of my training in favour of other exercise. I knew that I should be breathing through my nose etc, but still the stitches occured. However, after about the 3rd time, my running partner suggested that maybe I was straining too hard - my torso rotated too much - and I should try and quieten my footfalls. Amazingly, this seemed to work. Will keep this in mind next time I'm out, but in the meantime, has anyone else heard of this?