Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Throughout my life, whenever I've gotten started suddenly on exercising (as when returning to swimming or soccer seasons in high school, or water polo in college), I've gotten stitches in my ribs (also other pains elsewhere like shinsplints).

I started Crossfit three weeks ago, yet despite the intense workouts, I haven't had a single rib stitch. The only thing that's different right now is my paleo-style diet - and I also soak a few days per week in Epsom salt baths.

Is this enough to prevent the stitching entirely, or am I just not working out hard enough to get the stitches? I wrap every workout breathless and exhausted from head to toe, but no stitches.

edited Mar 17 2012 at 23:02

familygrokumentarian
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asked Oct 17 2011 at 11:07

familygrokumentarian
12.4k●4●25●87

	What exactly are rib stitches? I've always wondered that. – vdh1979 Oct 17 2011 at 11:55
	Feels kinda like someone is grabbing a pinch of flesh/muscle right at your side, and twisting fairly hard. – familygrokumentarian Oct 17 2011 at 11:56
	Yeah I've had them but I've always wondered what they are as in what is causing them. – vdh1979 Oct 17 2011 at 13:16

Dorado Galore · Answer 1 · 2011-10-17 16:18:09Z UTC

With playful due respect, focusing on the negative symptoms and side effects that are not part of your exercise experience, seems kinda like "Really having a fantastic time here on Maui but can't help thinking about whether it might start hailing soon." Seriously, focus on what's working. Let trouble find someplace else to hang out. :)

FED at LiveCaveman.com · Answer 2 · 2011-10-17 20:16:44Z UTC

A side "stitch" is thought to be a spasm of the diaphragm, possibly related to movement of internal organs such as the liver and the spleen.

I have also heard (and tend to believe that this is a more likely cause) that it is caused by the fatiguing of the intercostal muscles (found between your ribs) related to improper breathing and thoracic alignment.

Therefore, you may have avoided experiencing this phenomenon during your current Crossfitting endeavor because you are now moving with better alignment/awareness and breathing more correctly than when you were younger.

Ryan H · Answer 3 · 2011-10-17 11:36:56Z UTC

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The rib stitches are not caused from being out of shape, its normally a muscle issue which can be fixed, i've had mind done a couple times by an AT. or they can go away.

I normally get them however I only get them on long runs, not sprints or CrossFit style workouts unless it is long run based WOD.

Also used to get shin splints but only on fast long ruck marches in the army, those too went away with stretching and time.

answered Oct 17 2011 at 11:36

Ryan H
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	The reason I'm not convinced that rib stitches require a long running-based workout is because my fellow beginner Crossfitter today complained of her rib stitches after our workout. (Pretty sure she's not paleo.) In any case, the workout was enough to give her stitches, and her mentioning it is what sparked my curiosity as to why I haven't felt them myself yet. – familygrokumentarian Oct 17 2011 at 11:58
	I'm sure it will vary depending on the person, I only commented based on my experience i'm sure they can be causes by a number of different movements/level of intensity. – Ryan H Oct 17 2011 at 22:59

The Loon · Answer 4 · 2011-10-17 16:01:40Z UTC

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I am assuming that you have given up wheat and other grains. This has made a big difference for me.

answered Oct 17 2011 at 16:01

The Loon
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Yup, wheat free, other nongluten grains very rarely. – familygrokumentarian Oct 17 2011 at 21:27

miked · Answer 5 · 2012-03-18 01:13:56Z UTC

I doubt it's paleo, and I never thought of it until your post, but I've been plagued with stitches all through my high-school and college running. But when I gave up running and switched to CrossFit-style workouts, I never got stitches. I've been doing HIIT for 5 years and paleo for only 3, so it can't be the paleo that got rid of them. I do go hard enough to puke after (some) workouts, so it's not an intensity thing, it's just a different style of workout that doesn't cause stitches.

Why am I not getting rib stitches or other cramps despite being a beginner Crossfitter?

5 Answers