Whether you are new to exercising or an experienced athlete, you may occasionally experience pain in your legs and abdomen during or after running. A cramp in your leg is commonly referred to as a "charley horse," and an abdominal cramp may be called a "runner's stitch," especially if it is in your side. Other maladies affecting runners include shin splints and runner's diarrhea.
Charley Horses
A muscle cramp, or charley horse, can affect your calf or the front or back of your thigh. You will feel pain or tightness, and you might be able to feel a knot or hard area in the muscle. You might be able to prevent leg cramps by warming up and stretching before you run. If you do experience a painful cramp, stop running and massage the muscle to encourage it to loosen up. If tightness persists, apply ice or heat, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary.
Runner's Stitch
According to the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, a runner's stitch is most common in the right side of your abdomen, close to your navel, but it can occur anywhere in the abdomen. You might experience the pain as sharp or stabbing. This type of abdominal pain is equally common in men and women, but may be less common in athletes with more training. Avoiding eating and drinking immediately before running and not running in cold weather may head off a runner's stitch.
Shin Splints
If you experience pain in the front of your lower leg while running, you might be suffering from shin splints. This is caused by inflammation of the tendons and muscles on the shin and may be more likely if you suddenly begin a running regimen after a period of being relatively sedentary. If you think you have shin splints, stop running for two to four weeks or until the area has healed. Once you have recuperated, begin running again at a gradual pace to allow your body to get used to the stress of your routine.
Runner's Diarrhea
If you experience lower abdominal cramping followed by loose bowel movements during or after your run, you may be affected by runner's diarrhea. This may be more common if you eat a lot of fibrous foods. One way to prevent this unpleasant condition is to reduce the amount of fiber that you eat before you run. Avoid foods that are high in fat and those that contain caffeine on the day that you run, and don't eat at all for a couple of hours before your run. Be sure to drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Runner's Diarrhea: How Can I Prevent It?; Dr. Edward R. Laskowski; September 2010
- The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association; Exercise related transient abdominal pain; Dr. Brad Muir; December 2009
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Muscle Cramp
- MedlinePlus: Shin Splints
Member Comments