"Side Stickers"

I'm not a doctor, I just play one on the internet. I could also be full of **** in saying all this, but this is what I have been told over the years (or my coaches could be full of ****). I am pretty sure that side cramps are from your organs/diaphram bouncing around. Exhailing when the foot on the side opposite to the cramp is supposed to help during a cramp. I've been told that stronger abs is the way to prevent them (lots of sit ups). A cramp on the right side (which I get from time to time) is normally associated with your liver bouncing around, if you exhale (diaphram goes up) as your right foot hits the ground (liver goes down) your ligaments on that side are stretched, and if your abs aren't strong enough, you muscles can spasm, causing the cramp.

It is a strain of the ligaments that connect the diaphragm and the liver. You can try pushing up on the liver or change the way you are breathing at that moment. Take longer breathes or shorter ones. Whatever works for you.

I've found that pretending as if you are blowing up a balloon really helps.  Do it a couple of times (preferably while walking, as it will really screw up your breathing while running!) and your side stitch should go away... works for me!

Edited by Vaiza 2006-09-10 10:54 PM