Acid reflux disease and back pain - are they connected ?

GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a medical condition which is rather common and it occurs in a large number of people everywhere around the world. There is a valve like muscle called lower esophageal sphincter, and when it gets weak or starts functioning the way it should not be, the stomach acids may get back into the esophagus. The acids from the stomach may affect all the parts of the gastrointestinal tract all the way up to the throat. The muscular structures which are located in these parts of the body may get weak and it all leads to the occurrence of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

There are numerous different ways one can treat this annoying medical condition and of one of the ways is the so called positional therapy which may sometimes be of great help because the acid is also subject to gravity. When a person lies flat on the back, the weakened lower esophageal sphincter allows the acid to submit to the gravity’s pull and get back into the esophagus. This usually occurs during the night, when the sufferer sleeps. The acid causes very uncomfortable painful sensations which may climb that high so as to be felt around the neck. Due to this many acid reflux sufferers tend to experience neck pain and even back pain associated with attacks of acid reflux.

Back Pain?

When a person is well informed about gastroesophageal disease, it is clear that due to the mechanics it utilizes it cannot be associated with any painful sensations in the back. But still, one must realize that there is still an indirect possibility of painful sensations in the back being associated with acid reflux attacks. Those who suffer from acid reflux and back pain are usually prescribed with the aforementioned positional therapy which may be very efficient in helping them with getting rid of all the annoying symptoms. The usual positional therapy involves sleeping with the head elevated or sleeping on the left side of the body. The main problem with such instances of positional therapy is that it may be very efficient in relieving the symptoms of acid reflux, but on the other hand it may be harmful by causing the occurrence of chronic lower back pain. This type of pain does not occur suddenly, it gradually develops over time and is usually associated with lasting damage to the lower and upper back.