The Annoying Pain That Can Ruin a Run And What Experts Say You Can Do About It
It often arrives without warning. One minute you’re cruising through a workout—breathing steadily, feeling strong—and the next, a sharp, stabbing pain strikes just below your ribs. Suddenly, finishing the run becomes less about endurance and more about simply getting home.
This uncomfortable sensation, commonly known as a side stitch, is one of the most frustrating interruptions during exercise. Clinically referred to as exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP), it is far more common than many people realize.
A Widespread Workout Problem
Sports medicine experts say side stitches affect athletes across a wide range of activities, particularly those involving repetitive torso movement. Running and swimming are among the most frequently reported triggers.
Research publishe...