Side Stitch

Acute abdominal pain which is generally located on the side of the body below the ribs, on the left and slightly behind and generally occurs during exercise and/or when the respiratory rate is poorly managed.

If the pain manifests itself on the right, the causes must be sought.

Causes: aside from certainty, hypotheses are put forward:

• muscle cramps of the diaphragm overloaded by respiratory efforts, due to a defect of oxygenation during exercise,
• pain linked to the traction exerted during physical exercise, by the abdominal organs (liver, stomach, spleen) on the ligaments which connect them to the diaphragm (muscle rupture?)
• pain in the spleen or liver, linked to blood overload
• dilatation of gas in the large intestine (pressure especially felt at the hepatic flexure and the splenic flexure of the colon)

If the painful spot appears at rest and is accompanied by fever, we can suspect a pulmonary disease (pneumonia, pleurisy?). Can the side stitch be linked to a hiatal hernia?

When stomach digestion continues for too long, “side stitches” in the stomach can appear. In case of pain of intestinal origin, drink in small sips and breathe very calmly.

Eat small repeated meals until the complete state of “non-pain” is normalized.

Intake of digestive enzymes to facilitate digestion.

Eliminate: soft drinks, pizza, acidifying foods, ketchup, coffee, chocolate, fried foods, breadings, barbecue, commercial sauces…

A side stitch can be felt when breathing poorly (e.g. when walking quickly). You must control your breathing (inhalation for 2 steps, exhalation for 2 steps, practice the Afghan walk). To pass the “point”, breathe more slowly by inflating the chest and relaxing the lower abdomen as much as possible.

Another technique: lean forward while blowing all the air from your lungs.

Stretch the body in the direction opposite to the painful point

E.O. of Marjoram (Origanum majorana)