Can acid reflux cause pain in the upper back?
If you suffer from both of these conditions simultaneously, you might reflect on whether or not this is true.
According to a study, 18.1% to 27.8% of citizens in the USA suffer from GERD, which may cause acid reflux and back pain. [1]
Both of these issues may be closely related because acid reflux may cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest that travels to the back. This causes backache and pain in the lower or upper back.
Read on to learn the answer to your question: can acid reflux cause lower back pain?
Here's what you'll learn in this article.
- What Is Acid Reflux?
- Symptoms
- What Is Back Pain?
- Symptoms
- Can Acid Reflux Cause Pain In The Back?
- Causes of Acid Reflux and Pain In Back
- Bad Posture
- Pregnancy
- Heartburn or Ulcer
- Heart Attack
- Treating Acid Reflux with Back Pain
- At-Home Remedies
- Lifestyle Changes
- Medications
- When to See a Doctor?
- Best Back Pain Relief Tool - SUPMOGO Recovery Flex System Belt
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a condition where the acid in the stomach travels back to the esophagus and causes a burning feeling in the throat or chest. That burning sensation is called "heartburn," but unlike the word, it has nothing to do with the heart.
Heartburn is a primary symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If this happens more than a few times in a short period of time, a person might have GERD.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, happens when a person suffers from frequent gastroesophageal reflux, usually more than two times a week. [2] Pain and heartburn result from the lower sphincter becoming weak and relaxing when it shouldn't.
On the other hand, if you get acid reflux occasionally, it might not mean you have any underlying health condition. The foods or spices we eat can also cause this reflex.
According to research, women are more likely to develop GERD than men because 60% of women may be affected. [3]
Symptoms
Symptoms of acid reflux include:
- A burning sensation in the throat or chest
- Sour taste in the mouth due to stomach acid
- Cough
- Hiccups
- Bad breath
- Bloating
- The feeling of discomfort or sickness
What is Back Pain?
Back pain is a significant cause of disability worldwide. Back pain means that your lower back or buttocks feel sore or ache more than usual.
According to ScienceDirect, chronic back pain means the painful sensation lasts more than a few months. In that condition, the pain is persistent and doesn't go away independently. [4]
Back pain symptoms can also become worse due to factors like age group, gender, daily activities, and health conditions. Therefore, it's essential to treat it correctly to prevent injuries and other complications.
Symptoms
Symptoms of back pain are:
- Muscle ache
- Burning or shooting sensation in the body
- Stabbing pain in the lower back
- Pain that radiates to the legs
- Walking and bending legs can increase back pain
Can Acid Reflux Cause Pain in the Back?
If you suffer from back issues or get acid reflux often, you might wonder, "Can acid reflux cause upper back pain?" It's not unnatural to link these issues, as one can cause the other. So, yes, acid reflux or GERD can cause a painful sensation in the back or chest.
Especially if you feel pain in the back after eating, it can be due to digestive issues. Those issues can cause acid reflux, which in turn causes the pain to radiate to the spine and cause back pain.
Nevertheless, sudden or different pain in the chest or back should be taken seriously, as it can be due to other complicated health issues. Book an appointment with your doctor to rule out complications.
Causes of Acid Reflux and Back Pain
Can acid reflux cause pain in the upper back? People who are experiencing intense tension in their bodies and organs are more likely to ask this question.
If you want to correct your posture with minimal effort, then using the SUPMOGO Recovery Flex System Belt can help.
1. Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, it might be the reason why you have back pain and acid reflux at the same time.
Eating can put a lot of pressure on the stomach and the lower backbone of a growing baby. Your posture can also be disturbed during pregnancy, which is why most pregnant women suffer from these issues.
2. Heartburn or Ulcer
Does acid reflux cause back pain? It's true, especially if you suffer from ulcers or heartburn. As a result of digestive issues or a peptic ulcer in the stomach, the backbone may experience chronic pain.
Heartburn can also be a sign of an ulcer, a sore in the stomach lining that can be either mildly or extremely painful. But, on its own, heartburn can also be due to GERD, typically accompanied by mid-back pain.
3. Heart Attack
One of the more significant reasons for back pain can be a potential heart attack. In addition, a person might also feel a burning sensation and nausea during a heart attack.
So, it's vital to remain vigilant and not ignore health issues. Nontraditional heart attack symptoms, such as back pain, are primarily found in women.
Treating Acid Reflux with Back Pain
Now that we've addressed the question of whether back pain can cause acid reflux, let's look at some potential solutions. Here are a few adjustments you can make in your lifestyle to ensure that the acid reflux issue doesn't happen again:
1. Lifestyle Changes
Try changing your eating habits. For example, take a few small-sized snacks throughout the day instead of a large meal. You should also wear loose and airy clothing items to ease the strain on your stomach.
According to research, quitting cigarettes helps manage acid reflux. [5]
Additionally, you should not lie down immediately after having a meal and try to sleep with your head elevated.
2. Medications
There are three main types of medication for acid reflux with back pain; you can purchase them and see if the issue subsides:
- Antacids
- H2 Blockers
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
If the OTC drugs don't help, it's best to see a doctor immediately.
When Should I See a Doctor?
Although back pain and heartburn may not seem like serious health problems, persistent pain should not be ignored. If the acid reflux is not improving after a few days, it can be due to GERD, a life-altering disease.
Your doctor will advise you on lifestyle changes and medications for the illness. But surgery is also essential in a few cases. Additionally, persistent chest pain with acidity issues can indicate a heart attack.
Contact the emergency room as soon as possible and have yourself evaluated.
Best for Back Pain Relief- SUPMOGO Recovery Flex System Belt
The SUPMOGO Recovery Flex System Belt can help manage acid reflux and back pain effectively. It has EMS technology that is water-activated, which creates electrical impulses and tells the brain to tell the muscles to contract, naturally producing heat. This heat helps to alleviate back pain and bloating.
Besides, it helps in burning calories, aids in digestion, and lessens the chances of getting acid reflux after a meal. The EMS technology of this belt prevents inflammation and provides immediate pain relief, so what else could you ask for?
Final Thoughts
So it wasn't a coincidence that you experienced back pain whenever you had acid reflux. As a result, back pain can cause acid reflux.
Whether you have a bad posture or are expecting a baby, backache from acid reflux can happen. So, it's best to make lifestyle changes and eliminate the issue's root.
Try the SUPMOGO Recovery Flex System Belt to get immediate relief from back pain. Plus, it also helps prevent other acid reflux symptoms like bloating.
Disclaimer: The fitness wearable belt is not recommended for pregnant women. It is safe to use the belt 4-6 weeks after delivery, but consult with your doctor first.
[1] Antunes, C., Aleem, A., & Curtis, S. A. (2017). Gastroesophageal reflux disease
[2] Henry, M. A. C. D. A. (2014). Diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease, ABCD Arquivos Brasileiros de Cirurgia Digestiva (São Paulo), 27, 210–215.
[3] Yamasaki, T., Hemond, C., Eisa, M., Ganocy, S., & Fass, R. (2018). The changing epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: are patients getting younger? 559, Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.
[4] Andersson, G. B. (1999). Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain The Lancet, 354 (9177), 581–585.
[5] MacFarlane, B. (2018) Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults: a pharmacist’s perspective 7; 41; Integrated pharmacy research and practice