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Side stitch

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When exercising, a side stitch (also called a side cramp, a side crampie, a side sticker or simply a stitch) is an intense stabbing pain under the lower edge of the ribcage. It is also referred to as exercise related transient abdominal pain (ETAP). This pain may be caused by the internal organs (like the liver and stomach) pulling downwards on the diaphragm, though an exact mechanism remains to be elucidated. Because of the suspected cause, it is more likely to occur in sports involving up and down actions - like running, jumping, swimming and equestrianism. If the pain is present only when exercising and is completely absent at rest, in an otherwise healthy person, it is benign and does not require investigation. As this is a normal physiological response, there is not much that can be done to prevent it.

Causes

There are more theories regarding ETAP than merely stretching of the visceral ligaments due to repeated vertical translation and jolting. Other theories include:

  1. The pain may be caused by contraction of the liver or spleen, which squeeze extra oxygen-carrying red blood cells into the circulation. Although there does not appear to be much muscle in the capsule of the spleen, there is direct & indirect evidence that its size does change with exercise. (see ref** below) This autotransfusion, (which is much larger in some animals) increases exercise capacity but the associated pain may be severe, relieved only by rest. A plausible mechanism for the pain is that high internal pressure in the liver or spleen restricts blood flow, causing hypoxia.
  2. Diaphragmatic Ischemia
  3. Imbalances of the thoracic spine
  4. Irritation of the parietal peritoneum


The reasons for the variety of theories include, in particular, the prevalence of ETAP during swimming.

Most of the time, side stitches occur on the right side of the body. This is due to the largest organ in the abdominal cavity, the liver, being on that side. Certain athletes also report a pain in the tip of their shoulder blade. This is believed to be because this is a referred site of pain for the diaphragm via the phrenic nerve.Sometimes this is due to water or fluid intake before exercise.

Preventing a side stitch

  • Improve fitness
  • Strengthen the diaphragm by using exercises such as those that aid respiratory rehabilitation[1]
  • Strengthen core muscles (abdominals, lower back, obliques)
  • Limit consumption of food and drink two to three hours before exercising (in particular, drinks of high carbohydrate content and osmolarity (reconstituted fruit juices))
  • Drink water beforehand to prevent muscle cramps
  • Warm up properly
  • Gradually increase exercise intensity when running
  • Exhale when the left foot hits the ground, and inhale when the right foot hits the ground
  • Run on soft surfaces

Curing a side stitch

Pain induced by the stretching of the visceral ligaments is relieved by removing or minimizing the applied force, by slowing or stopping the exercise and lying down until the pain subsides. Alternative cures are listed and exist in much the same context as the cure for hiccups;

  • Stop exercising. With the digits, push into the abdomen on the right side, and up under the rib cage. At the same time, forcefully let out a deep exhale while holding the lips closely together.
  • Try belly breathing; inhale while pushing out the stomach, and on the exhale, relax the stomach muscles.[2]
  • While running, exhale when your foot strikes on the opposite side that the side stitch is located. For example, a side stitch on the right, exhale hard when your left foot strikes the ground.
  • Reduce the frequency of breathing (e.g. in jogging, inhale for four steps and exhale for four steps)
  • Lie down on the back and lift the knee on the side with the stitch up to the chest.
  • Do not breath too hard, shallow breathing for a few minutes at the same time maintain oxygen input levels.
  • Relax the mind and do not focus on the stitch itself.
  • Put pressure on the affected area, not enough to hurt, but just enough so the pain subsides.

These alternatives work by implementing the aforementioned function in combination with a coordinated task to occupy the sufferer's mind.

References

  1. ^ "Diaphragm Strengthening". Retrieved May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ How to Prevent Side Stitch How Stuff Works. 24 Oct 2007.
  • 1) Sports Medicine 32(6): 2002. 261-269. The human spleen during physiological stress. Stewart & McKenzie
  • 2) Clin Nucl Med. 1995 Oct;20(10):884-7. The effect of exercise on normal splenic volume measured with SPECT. Otto et al.
  • 3) J Appl Physiol 74: 1024-1026,1993; Spleen emptying and venous hematocrit in humans during exercise. Laub et al.
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