yeh lots of techniques that work with varying success for various people!
change of pace, tensing that area (like someone is about to hit you), bending over or alternatively stretching the area, changing the synch of your breathing & footfall.
i suffered from stitches quite badly early on when i was just doing running & duathlon, when i started swim training for tri it built my core stability alot and i don't get it as often or as bad now.