If you think about gastrointestinal distress, a lot of symptoms may come to mind: chest pain and heartburn, a churning stomach, and sweating. Acid reflux, commonly known as heartburn, is a condition that affects millions of people, causing a burning sensation in the chest and throat. But did you know that acid reflux can also lead to unexpected symptoms, like back pain? People who experience this might wonder, can indigestion cause back pain, or is it just a coincidence? 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?
Before diving into the connection between acid reflux and back pain, it’s helpful to understand what acid reflux is. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing discomfort. The muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), normally closes tightly after food enters the stomach. However, when the LES doesn’t close properly, acid can escape and cause that familiar burning sensation known as heartburn.
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
So, can acid reflux cause back pain? The short answer is yes, it can. While it’s not the most common symptom of acid reflux, many people report experiencing back pain related to acid reflux. 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 reasons for this connection can vary, but they generally fall into a few main categories:
Referred Pain
Referred pain is when pain is felt in a different area of the body than where the issue originates. In the case of acid reflux, the pain caused by irritation in the esophagus can radiate to the back, particularly between the shoulder blades. This is due to the shared nerve pathways between the chest and the back, which can confuse the body into feeling pain in multiple areas.
Poor Posture & Muscle Strain
When you experience frequent acid reflux or indigestion, you may unconsciously adjust your posture in an attempt to alleviate the pain. 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. Over time, poor posture, especially slumping or hunching forward, can lead to muscle strain in the upper and lower back, contributing to what feels like indigestion back pain.
Pressure on the Diaphragm
The diaphragm, a large muscle that helps with breathing, is located just above the stomach. When the stomach is irritated due to acid reflux, it can cause discomfort in the diaphragm area. This pressure can sometimes extend to the back, particularly if the acid reflux is severe or chronic.
Stress and Tension
Stress is a common trigger for both acid reflux and muscle tension. If you’re experiencing stress-induced acid reflux, you might also notice muscle tension, especially in your neck and back, which can make it feel like your acid reflux is hurting your back.
Does Indigestion Cause Back Pain?
Many people experiencing digestive issues ask, does indigestion cause back pain? Indigestion, or dyspepsia, refers to discomfort in the upper abdomen, often after eating. While indigestion itself is usually related to the stomach, it can indirectly cause back pain in some cases. Similar to acid reflux, indigestion may lead to muscle tension or poor posture as a result of trying to find a comfortable position to ease stomach discomfort. Additionally, bloating and gas from indigestion can create pressure on the diaphragm and surrounding muscles, potentially leading to back pain. In essence, while indigestion and back pain might not seem related at first, they can certainly be interconnected, especially if the digestive discomfort persists over time.
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. If you’re dealing with acid reflux and back pain, understanding the underlying causes is crucial to getting the right treatment. At AICA Orthopedics in Snellville, GA, we specialize in helping patients find relief from musculoskeletal pain while addressing related conditions like acid reflux.
Treating Back Pain and Acid Reflux
Many people who experience acid reflux have the instinct to 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 while 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 and 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
How AICA Orthopedics Can Help
When dealing with acid reflux and back pain, it’s essential to find a healthcare provider who understands the complexities of both conditions. AICA Orthopedics offers a comprehensive, multi-specialty approach to diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal pain, including cases related to digestive issues like acid reflux.
Multi-Specialty Care
At AICA Orthopedics, we bring together specialists from various fields—chiropractic care, orthopedics, neurology, and physical therapy—to provide a holistic approach to your care. This means we don’t just treat the symptoms but address the root causes of your pain.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Each patient’s case is unique. Our team works closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that targets both your acid reflux and backache symptoms. Whether it’s physical therapy for your back or dietary recommendations to manage reflux, we create a plan tailored to your needs.
Advanced Diagnostic Tools
Our clinic is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools like MRI and CT scans, which allow us to get a clear picture of your condition. This helps us make sure that we can pinpoint the exact cause of your back pain and address it effectively.
Posture Improvement
Improving your posture can help reduce strain on your back and alleviate the discomfort that often accompanies indigestion back pain. Make sure to sit up straight during and after meals to minimize the risk of acid reflux. Avoid lying down immediately after eating since this can exacerbate reflux symptoms.
Physical Therapy
For those dealing with persistent back pain, physical therapy can be an effective way to strengthen muscles, improve posture, and relieve tension. At AICA Orthopedics, our physical therapists work with you to develop a personalized plan that addresses your back pain while considering any underlying conditions like acid reflux.
AICA College Park for Back Pain, Acid Reflux, and More
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!