HSS primary sports medicine physician Jordan D. Metzl, MD, addressed the topic of side stitches for Women's Health.

Dr. Metzl explained that side stitches are cramps in between your ribs that are caused by heavy breathing after exercise.

To prevent them, Dr. Metzl recommended building up your pulmonary fitness with high-intensity interval training.

This article appeared in the May 2018 print issue.