Heartburn is marked by an uncomfortable, almost burning sensation often felt behind the breastbone, ascending up to the level of the throat. This feeling usually occurs after a substantial meal is taken beyond satiety. Heartburn is caused by the reflux of stomach acid through the lower esophageal sphincter and into the esophagus, resulting in irritation and eventual harm to the throat. Acid stimulates nerve fibers that radiate pain through the upper body and facilitates damage to soft tissues in the area, incase the condition is left untreated for a long duration.

Heartburn related back pain is an area of concern for many people suffering from heartburn. Heartburn, which is the consequence of acid reflux, is often accompanied by a variety of pain symptoms in the throat, chest, mouth, neck and even the back. Other indications include difficulty in swallowing, the feeling of a lump in the back of the throat, an acidic taste in the mouth and chronic coughing. Back pain associated with heartburn is a result of the condition itself and can only be cured by treating the cause at its source.

There could be many reasons for the correlation between heartburn and back pain. Firstly, the link between the two conditions may be due to the location of the pain. In cases of severe heartburn, excessive amounts of stomach acids flow back up the esophagus in comparison to cases of mild heartburn. With severe symptoms, the pain is often so intense that it radiates to the back. This makes the patient suffer two types of pains at the same time. Secondly, another reason that heartburn and back pain are associated may be due to soft tissue damage. Very often the amount of acid that is moving back up the esophagus is so severe that after chronic episodes, soft tissue damage can be experienced. If this continues for a longer duration, the soft tissue damage can move towards the individual’s back. At this juncture, back pain is experienced as a result of the heartburn. The third reason, which is comparatively less common, is poor sleeping habit. People suffering from heartburn prefer to sleep with their head elevated. Sleeping flat causes discomfort due to the effect of gravity on the stomach acids, which settle in the esophagus and lead to disturbed sleep. Therefore, many sufferers choose to sleep with their head elevated. Sleeping in such a posture, puts the back out of line and the individual can end up with pain in the back.

Although back pain can be caused by many factors unrelated to heartburn and acid reflux, it is possible to tell when heartburn is the likely culprit. Pain linked with heartburn usually manifests as pressure, soreness or a sharp ache in the upper and middle back. On the other hand, lower back pain indicates digestive or abdominal problems. Heartburn and reflux-related back pain usually occur within hours of a heartburn episode. Many people with heartburn have a long list of related abdominal problems as well like ulcers, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, slow digestion, fast digestion and colon pain. The cure for back pain caused by heartburn and the related side effects lies in the consumption of traditional painkillers or heat treatment. Mild and occasional heartburn is usually treated with antacids. Such patients are also advised to avoid intake of foods that irritate the stomach, especially spicy food items, chocolate, alcoholic drinks, tea and caffeine that are considered to predispose heartburn.

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