painful stitches
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
painful stitches
Hi all. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what causes stitches. I get them under my lowest right rib sometimes when I'm really going hard. I can't seem to pin it down to whether it's something I've eaten, not stretching properly or posture. Any ideas how to avoid them?
#2
cycle-powered
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Munich Germany (formerly Portland OR, Texas)
Posts: 1,848
Bikes: '02 Specialized FSR, '03 RM Slayer, '99 Raleigh R700, '97 Norco hartail, '89 Stumpjumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i rarely get them in cycling, but often in running... for me, i have experienced 2 causes:
1) something to do with digestion and/or irritation of the stomach due to shaking/bouncing from motion...
2) muscle tightness in the chest/stomach... see https://www.sptrack.org/writeups_side_stiches.php which describes it as a muscle cramp common for untrained runners
actually, now that i think about it, i used to have them a lot but i can't remember having had stitches while cycling or running now in over 4 years... so there is probably something from either training or technique that i no longer have them...
from https://www.sptrack.org/writeups_side_stiches.php:
1) something to do with digestion and/or irritation of the stomach due to shaking/bouncing from motion...
2) muscle tightness in the chest/stomach... see https://www.sptrack.org/writeups_side_stiches.php which describes it as a muscle cramp common for untrained runners
actually, now that i think about it, i used to have them a lot but i can't remember having had stitches while cycling or running now in over 4 years... so there is probably something from either training or technique that i no longer have them...
from https://www.sptrack.org/writeups_side_stiches.php:
How do you cure the problem?
As with any muscle cramp, the best immediate treatment is to stretch the cramping muscle as much as possible. To stretch the diaphragm, one needs to alter their breathing pattern. This can be accomplished by breathing in as hard and as deep as possible. Suck in as much air as possible, trying to force the diaphragm down. Hold the breath for a couple of seconds and then forcibly exhale through pursed lips to restrict the outward air flow.
Work, bending forward if necessary, to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. This will force the diaphragm upward adding to the stretching action. It may take three or four of these "in and outs" to get rid of the cramp. It is possible to do this while running--you may have to slow down, but if in a race you may not want to stop.
As with any muscle cramp, the best immediate treatment is to stretch the cramping muscle as much as possible. To stretch the diaphragm, one needs to alter their breathing pattern. This can be accomplished by breathing in as hard and as deep as possible. Suck in as much air as possible, trying to force the diaphragm down. Hold the breath for a couple of seconds and then forcibly exhale through pursed lips to restrict the outward air flow.
Work, bending forward if necessary, to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. This will force the diaphragm upward adding to the stretching action. It may take three or four of these "in and outs" to get rid of the cramp. It is possible to do this while running--you may have to slow down, but if in a race you may not want to stop.
Last edited by nathank; 11-05-02 at 07:19 AM.
#3
Gravity Is Yer Friend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: "Over the Hill" and going down fast in the 805.
Posts: 2,961
Bikes: Scott Gambler, Scott Ransom, Kona Bear, Bianchi 928 Carbon/Chorus, C'Dale Rize4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was wondering if anyone can tell me what causes stitches
Slainte
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks nathank, I'll try that breathing method next time, and check out the website. As for thick branches, I usually find ducking solves that little problem- except for ones that lie across the track.
Cheers
Cheers