Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe LinkHow Pain FeelsHospitalizationAt-Home ManagementTreatmentComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Link
How Pain Feels
Hospitalization
At-Home Management
Treatment
Complications
Acid refluxis a condition in which the contents of your stomach (such as food and acid) flow back up into the esophagus at the back of your throat. This can lead toheartburn, a painful burning sensation in the chest.
Some people with acid reflux also report back pain with episodes of heartburn.This back pain may be associated with common acid reflux triggers like spicy foods, alcohol, or coffee.
This article goes over why you might experience acid reflux and back pain at the same time, as well as what to do to manage your symptoms.
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Acid Reflux vs. GERD vs. Heartburn
Many people use the terms “acid reflux,” “GERD” (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and “heartburn” interchangeably. However, they actually have related but different meanings, as follows:
The Link Between Acid Reflux and Back Pain
It’s unclear exactly why acid reflux can cause back pain. Many people feel that the burning sensation of heartburn in the middle of their chest, behind their breastbone, radiates to their upper or lower back.
This may get worse just after eating or when lying down. Other symptoms of acid reflux, such as nausea and bloating, can also cause or worsen referred back pain.
Some researchers also believe that there is a relationship between the muscles of the esophagus and the bottom part of your lower back, just above the pelvic region.
They argue that structural or functional problems with the lower back muscles could contribute to problems with the esophagus, such as acid reflux, heartburn, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and regurgitation.
Acid reflux is also associated with a number of other conditions that affect posture, breathing, or all three. Examples include:
All of the above conditions have also been linked to back pain. Poor posture can put pressure on the chest and lower body, making it harder to breathe efficiently and for the esophagus to work properly. This can make it unclear whether the underlying reason for the back pain is acid reflux itself or another risk factor.
Other risk factors that back pain and acid reflux have in common include:
Acid Reflux, Back Pain, and PregnancyBack pain is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, postural shifts, added weight, and the growing uterus. Many people also experience acid reflux during pregnancy, which can contribute to back pain.Avoiding common acid reflux triggers and using a lumbar support or maternity pillow for sleep may help.
Acid Reflux, Back Pain, and Pregnancy
Back pain is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, postural shifts, added weight, and the growing uterus. Many people also experience acid reflux during pregnancy, which can contribute to back pain.Avoiding common acid reflux triggers and using a lumbar support or maternity pillow for sleep may help.
Back pain is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, postural shifts, added weight, and the growing uterus. Many people also experience acid reflux during pregnancy, which can contribute to back pain.
Avoiding common acid reflux triggers and using a lumbar support or maternity pillow for sleep may help.
How Back Pain Due to Acid Reflux Feels
Back pain related to acid reflux may feel like a burning, stabbing, cramping, or squeezing sensation in the upper, middle, or lower back, as if your heartburn is wrapping around or shooting down from your chest to your back. It may also feel like a dull ache, especially in the lower back.
In addition to heartburn and back pain, you may also experience other symptoms of acid reflux, such as:
Location
There are several different possible locations where you may experience acid reflux-related back pain, including:
Severe Symptoms
In rare cases, your back pain may become so severe that you have difficulty sleeping, walking, bending over, or standing up. It may significantly interfere with your quality of life. A physical therapist may be able to address your back pain, while agastroenterologistcan help you manage your acid reflux.
If you experience heartburn due to acid reflux two or more times per week, you may have gastrointestinal esophageal disease. This is a chronic condition that occurs when the lower part of youresophagusrelaxes too much, which allows stomach acid, food, and other contents to be regurgitated into the back of your throat.
Hospitalization for Severe Acid Reflux Back Pain
It’s unlikely that you would need to be hospitalized for acid reflux–related back pain. However, you should seek medical help right away if you experience any of the following symptoms often associated with GERD:
You should also consider seeing a healthcare provider if you have the following symptoms alongside your back pain:
These may be signs that your back pain is not due to acid reflux.
How to Manage Mild to Moderate Back Pain at Home
There are many different ways you can manage mild to moderate back pain from acid reflux at home. This may involve resolving or preventing acid reflux, addressing the back pain directly, or both.
Learn to Recognize Acid Reflux Triggers
The best way to prevent back pain due to acid reflux—or any other symptom—due to acid reflux is to recognize and avoid your heartburn triggers. Acid reflux triggers vary from person to person, but some of the most common ones include:
Change Your Posture
Acid reflux symptoms often get worse when you bend over or lie down. Standing or sitting up straight can help to stretch out your abdominal muscles and provide more space for the digestive process. Particularly while you’re eating, it’s important not to sit hunched over or slouched down in your chair.
Sleeping With Acid RefluxIt can be difficult to sleep comfortably with acid reflux. Sleeping with your head elevated around 6 to 8 inches (such as with a wedge pillow oradjustable bed) may help to prevent symptoms of heartburn and promote healthier rest.
Sleeping With Acid Reflux
It can be difficult to sleep comfortably with acid reflux. Sleeping with your head elevated around 6 to 8 inches (such as with a wedge pillow oradjustable bed) may help to prevent symptoms of heartburn and promote healthier rest.
Eat Smaller Meals
Eating large meals, especially close to bedtime, can increase the chance of developing acid reflux. Opting for smaller meals throughout the day and not eating for three hours before you go to sleep may decrease your risk of heartburn.
Take Over-the-Counter Medications
There are several over-the-counter (OTC)antacidsthat can help with gastrointestinal symptoms related to acid reflux, including diarrhea and bloating as well as heartburn. Meanwhile, OTC pain-relieving medications, such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), may work to manage mild to moderate back pain.
Manage Stress
Many studies have linked acid reflux to stress, and high stress levels can make existing acid reflux symptoms worse. Stress is also linked to chronic pain, especially neck and back pain.
Managing your stress levels through lifestyle changes, such as mindfulness techniques,deep breathing exercises, and physical activity, may reduce your back pain due to acid reflux. If you have persistent anxiety, depression, panic, or other mental health symptoms, consider reaching out to a mental healthcare provider for help.
Lose Weight If Necessary
Studies show that weight management may help with acid reflux symptoms. If necessary, talk to a healthcare provider about how to lose weight in a healthy way, such as through exercise and dietary changes.
Acid Reflux Treatment Approaches
In addition to the above lifestyle changes, your healthcare provider may recommend any of the following treatment option(s) to treat your acid reflux:
Complications and Effect on Quality of Life
While acid reflux is common, it can lead to complications if left untreated. These complications may negatively affect your overall quality of life, especially if you’re also experiencing chronic back pain. Potential complications of untreated acid reflux or GERD include:
Summary
In some cases, acid reflux may contribute to or exacerbate back pain. This may be due to risk factors that back pain and acid reflux have in common, such as postural concerns, respiratory conditions, andobesity. It may also be because pain behind the chest radiates to the upper or lower back.
There are several ways to manage mild to moderate acid reflux-related back pain at home, including taking over-the-counter medications, identifying your acid reflux triggers, eating smaller meals, adjusting your posture, managing stress, or losing weight if needed. If you have more severe acid reflux and/or back pain, reach out to a healthcare provider to discuss your treatment options.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Health Service.Heartburn and acid reflux.MSD Manual Consumer Version.Chest or back pain - digestive disorders.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Problems of the digestive system.National Library of Medicine.Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD: What’s the difference?Eryilmaz F, Ahmed F, Rehmani AK, et al.Scoliosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults.Cureus. 2021;13(5):e15359. doi:10.7759/cureus.15359Mittal RK, Le C, Legerwood M, et al.Esophageal symptoms and lumbosacral back pain.Gastro Hep Advances.2024;3(2):292-299. doi:10.1016/j.gastha.2023.11.003Bordoni B, Marelli F, Morabito B, et al.Low back pain and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with COPD: The disease in the breath.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2018;13:325-334. doi:10.2147/COPD.S150401Chu EC, Butler KR.Resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease following correction for upper cross syndrome - A case study and brief review.Clin Pract. 2021;11(2):322-326. doi:10.3390/clinpract11020045MedlinePlus.Gastroesophageal reflux disease.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Back pain during pregnancy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD.MedlinePlus.Flank pain.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Back pain.Taraszewska A.Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms related to lifestyle and diet.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2021;72(1):21-28. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2021.0145National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER & GERD.Herdiana Y.Functional food in relation to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Nutrients. 2023;15(16):3583. doi:10.3390/nu15163583Wickramasinghe N, Thuraisingham A, Jayalath A, et al.The association between symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and perceived stress: A countrywide study of Sri Lanka.PLoS One. 2023;18(11):e0294135. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0294135Khan A, Kim A, Sanossian C, Francois F.Impact of obesity treatment on gastroesophageal reflux disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(4):1627-38. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1627National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for GER & GERD.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Health Service.Heartburn and acid reflux.MSD Manual Consumer Version.Chest or back pain - digestive disorders.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Problems of the digestive system.National Library of Medicine.Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD: What’s the difference?Eryilmaz F, Ahmed F, Rehmani AK, et al.Scoliosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults.Cureus. 2021;13(5):e15359. doi:10.7759/cureus.15359Mittal RK, Le C, Legerwood M, et al.Esophageal symptoms and lumbosacral back pain.Gastro Hep Advances.2024;3(2):292-299. doi:10.1016/j.gastha.2023.11.003Bordoni B, Marelli F, Morabito B, et al.Low back pain and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with COPD: The disease in the breath.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2018;13:325-334. doi:10.2147/COPD.S150401Chu EC, Butler KR.Resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease following correction for upper cross syndrome - A case study and brief review.Clin Pract. 2021;11(2):322-326. doi:10.3390/clinpract11020045MedlinePlus.Gastroesophageal reflux disease.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Back pain during pregnancy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD.MedlinePlus.Flank pain.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Back pain.Taraszewska A.Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms related to lifestyle and diet.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2021;72(1):21-28. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2021.0145National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER & GERD.Herdiana Y.Functional food in relation to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Nutrients. 2023;15(16):3583. doi:10.3390/nu15163583Wickramasinghe N, Thuraisingham A, Jayalath A, et al.The association between symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and perceived stress: A countrywide study of Sri Lanka.PLoS One. 2023;18(11):e0294135. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0294135Khan A, Kim A, Sanossian C, Francois F.Impact of obesity treatment on gastroesophageal reflux disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(4):1627-38. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1627National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for GER & GERD.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Health Service.Heartburn and acid reflux.MSD Manual Consumer Version.Chest or back pain - digestive disorders.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Problems of the digestive system.National Library of Medicine.Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD: What’s the difference?Eryilmaz F, Ahmed F, Rehmani AK, et al.Scoliosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults.Cureus. 2021;13(5):e15359. doi:10.7759/cureus.15359Mittal RK, Le C, Legerwood M, et al.Esophageal symptoms and lumbosacral back pain.Gastro Hep Advances.2024;3(2):292-299. doi:10.1016/j.gastha.2023.11.003Bordoni B, Marelli F, Morabito B, et al.Low back pain and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with COPD: The disease in the breath.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2018;13:325-334. doi:10.2147/COPD.S150401Chu EC, Butler KR.Resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease following correction for upper cross syndrome - A case study and brief review.Clin Pract. 2021;11(2):322-326. doi:10.3390/clinpract11020045MedlinePlus.Gastroesophageal reflux disease.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Back pain during pregnancy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD.MedlinePlus.Flank pain.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Back pain.Taraszewska A.Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms related to lifestyle and diet.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2021;72(1):21-28. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2021.0145National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER & GERD.Herdiana Y.Functional food in relation to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Nutrients. 2023;15(16):3583. doi:10.3390/nu15163583Wickramasinghe N, Thuraisingham A, Jayalath A, et al.The association between symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and perceived stress: A countrywide study of Sri Lanka.PLoS One. 2023;18(11):e0294135. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0294135Khan A, Kim A, Sanossian C, Francois F.Impact of obesity treatment on gastroesophageal reflux disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(4):1627-38. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1627National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for GER & GERD.
National Health Service.Heartburn and acid reflux.
MSD Manual Consumer Version.Chest or back pain - digestive disorders.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Problems of the digestive system.
National Library of Medicine.Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD: What’s the difference?
Eryilmaz F, Ahmed F, Rehmani AK, et al.Scoliosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults.Cureus. 2021;13(5):e15359. doi:10.7759/cureus.15359
Mittal RK, Le C, Legerwood M, et al.Esophageal symptoms and lumbosacral back pain.Gastro Hep Advances.2024;3(2):292-299. doi:10.1016/j.gastha.2023.11.003
Bordoni B, Marelli F, Morabito B, et al.Low back pain and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with COPD: The disease in the breath.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2018;13:325-334. doi:10.2147/COPD.S150401
Chu EC, Butler KR.Resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease following correction for upper cross syndrome - A case study and brief review.Clin Pract. 2021;11(2):322-326. doi:10.3390/clinpract11020045
MedlinePlus.Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Back pain during pregnancy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD.
MedlinePlus.Flank pain.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Back pain.
Taraszewska A.Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms related to lifestyle and diet.Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2021;72(1):21-28. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2021.0145
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER & GERD.
Herdiana Y.Functional food in relation to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Nutrients. 2023;15(16):3583. doi:10.3390/nu15163583
Wickramasinghe N, Thuraisingham A, Jayalath A, et al.The association between symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and perceived stress: A countrywide study of Sri Lanka.PLoS One. 2023;18(11):e0294135. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0294135
Khan A, Kim A, Sanossian C, Francois F.Impact of obesity treatment on gastroesophageal reflux disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(4):1627-38. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1627
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for GER & GERD.
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