Do you regularly suffer from both and acid reflux and back pain at the same time and wondered if it was a coincidence or not? Well, you may not be alone as there have been some recent studies that have shown there may be a link between acid reflux and back pain. This is not to say, however, that everyone who has acid reflux will have back pain or vice versa. Possible explanations for the back pain that accompanies acid reflux are an antagonized esophagus or due to some of the posture therapy some people undergo to reduce acid reflux.

At the base of everyone's esophagus is a muscle which controls the flow of food from the throat to the stomach. It should not allow anything to come back up the other way; however some people have a weaker muscle than others. The result is that acids from the stomach can backwash into the esophagus causing very uncomfortable burning sensations. If this sounds familiar you should be advised to visit your doctor for advice if you have not done so already

Acid reflux tends to cause the most pain for people around the centre of their chest, close to their heart, which is where the term heartburn stems from. Some people have found that this pain spreads to other parts of their body such as the neck, arm and shoulders. If you are experiencing acid reflux and back pain at the same time then it is conceivable that the burning pain is spreading over your shoulder to your back.

Another reason could be due to digestive problems caused as a result of the acid indigestion. If you find that you suffer from acid reflux and back pain at the same time, then it is likely that the problems are related. If, on the other hand these ailments strike on separate occasions then it is more liable that they are not related.

If you have been to see a doctor regarding your acid reflux you may have been advised to sleep with your head and upper body in a more elevated position than you are normally used to. This could be one of the reasons that you are experiencing acid reflux and back pain simultaneously. You should visit your doctor if you feel this is what is causing you the back pain and see what he advises. In the meantime, a course of strong painkillers should go some way to easing the pain on your back.

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