Liver cramps???

Gomi1977 · 08-03-2006, 04:39 AM

Just wondering if any of you guys recognise this; when I'm working out full throttle, on the (horizontal) bag mostly, or when doing the Bas Rutten Workout, I sometimes get really bad liver cramps (and I mean like Mirko just liver kicked the crap out of me), forcing me to pause for a couple of minutes, lie down flat and take some sugars...
Any of you guys have the same problems, and if so, can I prevent it, or do I just need to get my cardio up to par and then it will subside???

**MikeMartial** · 08-03-2006, 12:50 PM

Unless Bas has actually just given you a liver shot, it's probably just a conditioning issue. Two theories on this one:

1) It's a diaphragmatic cramp; if a person is working at a high intensity, or a higher intensity than they are conditioned to, their diaphragm is working full throttle to draw air into the lungs (read: you're breathing like feret on crystal meth). Your diaphragm is like any other msucle in the body---it needs time to conditon and adapt. Common in new and unconditioned athletes, not so common in conditioned athletes.

2) Your liver is suspended/supported by fibrous tissue to your peritoneum; part of this, the falciform ligament, divides the liver into two lobes. When a person is ingaged in fast-paced activity, eg. running, stress is put on the liver through this ligament, via shearing force. I don't put a whole lot of merit into this theory.

Just keep working hard, take a break when you need to, and your conditioning will improve.

Rudy Richter · 08-03-2006, 01:43 PM

You aren't taking heavy meds or anything that is hard on you liver? If you are you might want to get a liver pannel done. Although I remember when I was a kid and in PE class I would get those side cramps also probably along the lines Mike is talking about.

Gomi1977 · 08-04-2006, 05:25 AM

Thanks for your response guys, I'm just gonna keep working hard till I get my conditioning up to par... And Rudy, no, I don't use any meds at all...

Thanks!

Gomi1977 · 08-04-2006, 10:57 AM

Mike, what u said about the diaphragm, got me thinking...

1. I have a history of chronic hyperventilation, could that have something to do with it??? It still bothers me sometimes, so that's why I got that hunch...

2. During my workout yesterday, I had hardly any cramps... Until I did my lowkick routine on the back (50 low kicks right, 50 left, 50 body kicks, left & right, and 50 high, left & right), and halfway through my 50 bodykicks with the right leg, it hit me like a freight train and I couldn't even keep standing up because of the pain... So could the kicks have something to do with it as well maybe, cause of the twisting of the body??? I sometimes feel a little cramp on the left side as well while doing my kicks, but it doesn't even compare to in my right side, so I never made the connection, but since you twist less with a left kick (if ur in a traditional, left foot in front, stance), or at least, I do, it would figure...

More thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!!!

**MikeMartial** · 08-04-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gomi1977

I sometimes feel a little cramp on the left side as well while doing my kicks, but it doesn't even compare to in my right side, so I never made the connection, but since you twist less with a left kick (if ur in a traditional, left foot in front, stance), or at least, I do, it would figure...

More thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!!!

Could also be a hip flexor cramp. Most peopel think hip flexors attach low on the pelvis and femur, (and some do), but your main flexor for kicking attaches high on your spine, right behind the liver (right) or spleen (left).

Do you see a chiropracter that does ART (Active Release Techniques)? If not, find one. They can do wonders where a regular chiropracter can't.