For relief: Stop. Take long, deep breaths. Stretch to the sky...then bend at the waist with your arms extended above your head to the opposite side. I call this the “swoosh” stretch, because you look like the Nike logo.

A word of caution, since I am a doctor: A side stitch can sometimes be felt all the way up to the shoulder. But this kind of pain may signal a heart attack, especially if it is on the left side and persists after you've spent a few minutes stretching. And if you get a side stitch each time you exercise, you could also have a problem with blood flow to the intestine. So if you experience these symptoms, see a doctor!