Running and side ache issues?

Question

I like running, but it always hurts my side..like near the bottom of my rib cage. I've tried breathing in thru my nose and out my mouth and not eating anything before I go to the gym but nothing has worked. Is there anything else I can do to alliviate the pain? Otherwise I'm going to have to find some kind of other cardio activity such as the elliptical.

Answer 1

Im a track runner..and i definitely know the answer to that!!.. Are you drinking very cold water before you run..if so you shouldn't drink cold water ..but not ice cold..ok you are not eating before you run..well you actually should...i always eat before i run...i eat oranges most of the time...but make sure you don't eat sweets...but yea you should eat something before you run...

Answer 2

not to scare you or anytihng. but i had the same problem, i went to the doc she pushed down on my side where it hurt, turned out to be my liver, she ordered an ultra sound and blood work, came back with an enlarged liver... i go back next week with the blood results..

you shud maybe c a doctor too..

r u drinking enuff water?

Answer 3

you can go doctor.!

Answer 4

ive  had that before, from what i know, they are just cramps. Try to stretch from side to side with your arms above your head. I get cramps when i talk while walking or jogging. Try to breath like you've been doing, just stretch and dont talk.lol.Hope this helps.Goodluck

Answer 5

stretch the problem area more than other areas before you run it might just be cramping muscles *ex: if its your right side lift right arm over your head and lean your torso to the left as far as you can with out it hurting but you feel your side stretch.

Answer 6

Usually the only time I get side cramps when running is because I didn't eat before I worked out or if I ate TOO much. If you do eat before you work out, make sure you give yourself enough time to digest it. You should always eat before you exercise because it can even make you sick or give you the shakes, because I've done it at times and that's what it's done or I'll even get achy sides. Also, if you are over-doing yourself, that could be part of it. If you feel like you are pushing yourself TOO hard, just slow down for a few minutes. If this is the issue, your body should eventually coorporate the more and more you get used to it. Good luck!

Answer 7

I'm a nurse and a runner, so I'll give this a shot. Side aches when running are usually caused by a spasm in your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is a muscle that helps your lungs expand and contract. Usually spasms happen because you're not breathing 'correctly'. Most people hold in their stomachs & breathe (probably cause we're vain & think we look thinner).  To see how to breathe 'correctly' and avoid spasms, try this: breathe out as hard and long as you can (your diaphragm will push the area under your ribs in); then take a deep breath in with your belly (why this is also called belly breathing). When you breathe in, you belly goes out, when you breathe out, your belly goes in. Although you don't have to exaggerate it so much when running, breathing like this should alleviate the problem.

Hope that helps.