If you think about gastrointestinal distress, a lot of symptoms may come to mind: chest pain and heartburn, a churning stomach, sweating. But what about back pain? In some cases, there can be a link between the digestive system and pain in the back, especially when heartburn is involved. When this is the scenario, treatment for back pain may require additional care in order to address reflux and similar conditions.
What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when stomach acid or bile rises and enters the lower esophageal sphincter, irritating the lining of the pipe. This can be mild and cause some discomfort or be severe enough to inhibit speech and swallowing.
Any of the following can be a sign of the condition:
- Heartburn: a burning pain that travels from your stomach to your lower abdomen and up to your chest
- Lower back pain
- Indigestion: when your stomach is upset, causing burping, bloating, and heartburn
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Regurgitation or dry-heaving
- The feeling of food being stuck in your throat
Acid reflux can be caused by a number of existing conditions or by certain behaviors. For example, some causes include:
- Poor posture while eating
- Pregnancy
- Ulcers
- Heartburn
- Obesity
- Eating late at night or right before lying down
- Physical injury to the digestive system
Why Acid Reflux Causes Back Pain
Acid reflux can happen to anyone without it being a sign of underlying problems. However, failing to treat the issue can eventually lead to chronic issues. The primary result is GERD, gastrointestinal reflux disease, which includes heartburn as one of its primary symptoms. This pain in your chest and throat can radiate into the lower back.
It is also possible for back pain to be caused by hunching over during eating. Poor posture causes back pain on its own and may also contribute to acid reflux as it places more pressure on the stomach and diaphragm, inhibiting your digestion of the food.
If you are experiencing chronic GERD and heartburn, you may notice your symptoms intensify, including back pain. The pain may go beyond your lower back and reach your shoulder blades and your abdomen. Intensifying back pain that results from heartburn should be evaluated by a doctor.
Is Back Pain from Acid Reflux Damaging to the Spine?
When the underlying cause of back pain is gastrointestinal in nature, it usually does not mean the spine itself has been damaged or needs to be repaired. Treating the acid reflux itself usually addresses the back pain in these cases without the need for additional spinal treatment.
However, it is also possible for GERD to exacerbate an existing back injury or condition. If back pain lasts longer than the symptoms of reflux or becomes chronic, seeking chiropractic care to relieve the underlying cause can reduce symptoms.
Treating Back Pain and Acid Reflux
Many people who experience acid reflux have the instinct to go lie down, but it is important to know this can actually make the pain worse. The best thing to do when any acid reflux appears is to find a calm and quiet place to sit until the feeling passes. If your back is also bothering you, be sure to sit straight and maintain a good posture to stretch the diaphragm.
The majority of acid reflux cases can be addressed by home remedies, lifestyle changes, and over-the-counter medications.
Lifestyle changes that can help acid reflux are:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying properly hydrated
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding trigger foods (examples include spicy foods or citrus)
- Eating smaller meals
- Sitting up straight during eating
- Avoiding large meals within two hours of lying down
- Sleeping with your head elevated
- Eliminating or reducing caffeine intake
- Eliminating or reducing alcohol intake
When acid reflux does occur, there are some recommended remedies that can be done at home:
- Chewing gum is known to increase your swallowing frequency, helping to clear out reflux sooner.
- Ginger is a common ingredient in Chinese medicine due to its anti-inflammatory benefits. Ingesting a small amount of ginger can calm the stomach and reduce acid and bile. Supplements, chewing ginger, or ginger root are all easy to find and use for this purpose.
If symptoms are severe or the issue is chronic, medication can be helpful in reducing acid reflux symptoms. You can start with over-the-counter options for mild and occasional cases and speak with a doctor about prescriptions if needed.
- Antacids, like Mylanta and Tums, will neutralize stomach acid and can quickly, efficiently reduce symptoms. These are available over-the-counter and are designed for occasional use.
- PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors, include Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec. These reduce stomach acid and allow the lining of the esophagus to heal from any damage.
- H-2 receptor blockers do not work as quickly as antacids but can reduce stomach acid for up to 12 hours. Examples include Zantac 360, Pepcid, Tagamet, and Axid.
When to See a Doctor for Acid Reflux and Back Pain
When home remedies, medications, and lifestyle changes have not alleviated acid reflux and you continue to suffer regularly, visiting a doctor can be helpful. More serious health conditions can cause ongoing symptoms and a doctor will be able to identify any root causes and create a treatment plan.
If acid reflux is accompanied by any of these symptoms, seek emergency care:
- Severe chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Severe upper back pain
- Pain in the jaw, neck, or arm
- Difficulty swallowing or the feeling that food is stuck in the throat
- Vomiting blood or black material
- Blood in the stool
- Unintentional weight loss
- Chronic cough or choking sensation
Treating acid reflux can often reduce back pain, but it can also be helpful to ensure the spine is in good health as well. At AICA College Park, our spine experts will perform a thorough examination to help you determine the root cause of your pain and create a customized plan to address any concerns you have. Contact us today to set up your first appointment and begin finding relief!