Fix Your Running Stitch Instantly With This Crazy Simple Trick

You know the feeling only too well… you’re on track for a PB in your five-kay. Your legs are feeling strong and you just passed that woman with a pram who beats you every Saturday. And then, out of nowhere, you feel a sharp pain in your side. You try to ignore it, but it builds and twists and next thing you know, you’ve totally lost your rhythm. And that elusive PB. Sound familiar?

Stand Straight, Run Faster

Now for the good news: The fix for your stitch could be as simple as tweaking your posture. Crazy, right? But it’s true. Research in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that people who round their upper backs are more prone to these crippling cramps and feel more intense discomfort. A hunched posture may compress the nerves that run along your spine and into your tummy, making them more sensitive to pain, says lead researcher Dr Darren Morton. Exercising may irritate those already tuned-up nerves.

READ MORE: 5 Signs You’ve Bought The Wrong Running Shoes

Fix The Stitch

Use these two steps to get rid of that irritating pain and get back on your game.

STEP 1: Do a hunch check: stand sideways in front of a mirror and compare your posture with this diagram. If you line up with the red, your posture needs work.

READ MORE: Can Wearing Wrist Weights On A Walk Really Tone Your Arms? We Asked A Fitness Expert

STEP 2: Need to realign? Gently correct the bend with this stretch: lie on the floor and place a towel folded or jersey to 10cm thick under your shoulders (perpendicular to your spine); clasp your hands behind your head. Lie on the towel for 30 seconds; sit up for 30 seconds. Repeat three times.

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Want more? Here’s how to determine common aches and pains from running. Plus, the best running shoes for every distance.

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