Stitch when running: How to stop, get rid of, & prevent it

What triggers stitches?

No one is immune to stitches! Whether you’re embarking upon your first 10k training plan or are an experienced ultramarathoner, you may experience the dreaded muscle stitch on a run. But there are some things that seem to increase your chances of getting one while out on a run.

Not warming up properly

We can all be guilty of it sometimes - we just want to get out there and get on with our kilometers, whether we’re doing a quick speed session or a long run. But fail to warm up properly and you could run the risk of muscle stitches. A good warm up will warm up your body and promote proper breathing, getting you into a good rhythm for your run.

Eating right before your run

If you eat too much, too soon before your run could be another trigger for stitches. Try to avoid eating a heavy meal 1-2 hours before your run, as this can activate your GI system - resulting in less oxygen to your diaphragm. And if your diaphragm is getting less oxygen than it needs while you’re trying to push it hard on a run, you may end up with a stitch.

Going out too hard = stitches

Sprinting from the off may lead to side pains, as you haven’t given your body enough time to adjust. Take it easy for the first kilometer or so on your run to let your body settle into it, before you start to push the pace.

Not breathing properly

If you take shallow breaths when you run, then there’s a chance your muscles won’t get enough oxygen. This could mean that they become overly tired, causing cramps and stitches. Instead of shallow chest breathing, try taking belly breaths when you run. This type of breathing engages your diaphragm, allowing your lungs to expand fully and take in more oxygen.

How to stop stitches while running

So, you’re on the run and you’ve got a muscle stitch. Now what?

Often, the only thing that will make a stitch abate is to slow down. Slow to a walking pace until you feel the pain subside, then start to build back up to a run slowly.

As you’re walking along, practice some of those deep belly breaths to fill up your lungs and maximise your oxygen intake.

You can also try stretching as you move, either by stretching your arms overhead or by leaning forward to stretch your back.

Pressing on your side where you feel the sensation can also help to alleviate the pain.

Hopefully one of these techniques - or a combination of all of them - will help you to get rid of your stitch and continue running happy!

How to prevent muscle stitches

Prevention is better than cure, so here’s how to stop stitches in their tracks:

• Don’t eat immediately before a run. Schedule your runs so that you’re not having a large meal 1-2 hours before you head out.
• Warm up properly. Your warm up should include dynamic movement like these pre-run stretches to prep your body properly.
• Start slowly. After your warm up, you should take it easy for at least a mile (or 10 minutes) to allow your body to adjust to the run.
• Ensure you’re properly hydrated. Hydration for runners is important for lots of reasons, and it’s thought that it can help to prevent stitches, too. Drink plenty of water in the 12 hours leading up to your run (but not too much in the 1-2 hours before, to avoid your stomach becoming bloated and pressing against your parietal peritoneum).
• Strengthen your core. A stronger core may mean fewer stitches, so add in some resistance training to your training plan to make your diaphragm less susceptible to fatigue.
• Practice your breathing techniques. Spend some time practicing belly breathing when at home and on easy runs. That way, you’ll be better able to employ this technique when you need it most on harder runs.