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    Categories>Health>Conquering the Dreaded Side Stitch

    Conquering the Dreaded Side Stitch

    13 min
    |
    20 sources
    |
    Jan 15, 2026
    HealthScienceEducation

    Discover what causes those painful side stitches during exercise and learn effective techniques to recover quickly, especially during competitions when performance matters most.

    Conquering the Dreaded Side Stitch

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

    Input question

    what causes a stitch when exercising and how to recover from it during a competition

    Host voices
    Lenaplay
    Milesplay
    Learning style
    Quick
    Knowledge sources
    Good for a Girl
    Built from Broken
    Mind Gym
    The Perfection Point
    The Sports Gene
    Science of Running

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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    Key Takeaways

    1

    The Dreaded Side Stitch Decoded

    0:00

    Lena: Hey there, fellow fitness enthusiasts! Ever been in the middle of a great run when suddenly—ow!—that sharp, stabbing pain hits you right in the side?

    0:09

    Miles: Oh, the dreaded side stitch! I've definitely been there, Lena. You're cruising along, feeling great, and then bam—you're doubled over, wondering what on earth just happened.

    0:20

    Lena: Exactly! And it always seems to happen at the worst possible time, like during a race or when you're trying to push through that last mile. What's fascinating is that according to research, about 70 percent of runners report experiencing a side stitch in a single year. That's a lot of people clutching their sides!

    0:40

    Miles: It really is. And what's interesting is that while most of us have experienced them, there's still debate about what exactly causes them. Some researchers think it's diaphragm spasms, others believe it's related to irritation in the abdominal cavity lining.

    0:54

    Lena: I've always wondered if it had something to do with what I ate before running. Is that actually a thing?

    0:59

    Miles: You're onto something there! Eating too close to exercise is definitely a factor. When your body is trying to digest food and simultaneously divert blood to your working muscles, your diaphragm can end up short-changed and start to cramp. Let's dive into what's actually happening in your body when that painful stitch strikes and how you can prevent it from ruining your next workout.

    2

    The Anatomy of Athletic Agony

    3

    When Your Body Rebels Mid-Workout

    4

    The Competition Crisis Management

    5

    The Prevention Playbook

    6

    The Breathing Connection

    7

    Your Personal Anti-Stitch Strategy

    8

    Wrapping Up the Stitch Story

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