does anyone else have this problem???

[nsswimmer]

okay, well whenever i swim freestyle i always get stitches in my side, usu. my right side. i don't know how to get rid of them; i try swimming them off, but after a while it gets so painful i can barely breathe. i was wondering maybe if there was something i could eat to get rid of it (e.g. bananas for foot cramps) or if i should maybe warm-up more??? does anyone hav any advice? thanks so much!

[Pete]

Unfortunately you just have to swim it off. Good warm-up helps. Fluid intake regularly is really useful. Bananas are good acording to Tumbleturner; but you know that!

[Bazza]

What breathing pattern do you have on freestyle?

The reason for it always being on the same side is because you probably breathe to one side only right? Try bi-lateral breathing. As for prevention, I'm not really sure...:confused:

[Meiri]

bazzaroodoo may have a piont there... Do you breath only to one side?? because i used to breath only to one side and after practices the left side of my back hurt, so i started breathing to both sides and the pain is gone.

[nsswimmer]

thanks so much for all your advice, everyone! i usually breathe to my right when i swim, that is probably the problem. i'll try bi-lateral breathing more...thank you!

[scswimmergal29]

Yeah, I always breathe to my right side too, but if i do get a cramp I'll start breathing more the the left and not as much on the right until it is gone. It usually helps!! Most of the time when I get cramps we're doing like a timed 2000 and I can't stop, so I've found ways to deal with it!! lol

[swimusa]

You should swim with bilateral breathing anyway. When you swim with unilateral breathing, you tend to rotate more to the opposite way (if you breath to the left, you rotate on your right side). But you don't balance that out on the opposing side, and thus you are swimming as efficient as you possible could. Bilateral breathing gives you great rotation on both sides, and as a perk, reduces your craming too! Get into a routine of breathing every 3 or 5 strokes, and you automatically have to bilateral breathe.