Pain just below Right Chest while Running

I workout everyday. I have no problems when I do it, but when I start running a pain just below my right chest starts.

It starts very mildly but increases if I continue running and stops when I sit down.

I can't run for 1 kilometer continuously without this pain starting.

Please help.

Answer by Dominique:


Hi there,
Thanks for your question about your pain below your right chest.

When I read chest pain, my first thought would immediately be to get this checked out by a doctor. Having said that, this is likely to be something innocent. But I simply can't give you any guarantees about that. First of all, I am not a doctor. Second, this is a long-distance 'diagnosis'.

What I think this is, is a problem with your breathing. When you run your insides move around a little bit. Your diaphragm is connected to your lungs and liver. Your liver is located on the right hand side of your body. As you put your right foot down your liver will pull your diaphragm down a bit.

As you inhale and exhale your lungs will push your diaphragm down (inhale) or pull it up (exhale).

Now imagine that you exhale as you put your right foot down. This will pull your diaphragm both upwards as downwards. The result is some pain. Do this continuously and you will develop a more severe pain, causing you to stop running.

So, next time you go for a run focus on your breathing and work out when you are inhaling and exhaling. See if I am right and that is what is causing this.

If so, try to change your breathing pattern. This may take some time, but if that is what is wrong, then changing your breathing will fix it.


Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Dominique