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Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common condition that can cause heartburn, chest pain, and regurgitation. While the primary symptoms of acid reflux are typically related to the digestive system, there is growing evidence to suggest that it may also be linked to muscle aches and pains. This is supported by several studies that have found a connection between acid reflux and referred muscle pain, as well as muscle hyperalgesia. Additionally, musculoskeletal conditions, such as upper cross syndrome (UCS), can cause acid reflux, indicating a potential bidirectional relationship between acid reflux and muscle-related issues.
| Characteristics | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Can acid reflux cause muscle aches? | Acid reflux can cause heartburn, which can lead to chest and back pain. However, there is no direct evidence that acid reflux causes muscle aches. | |
| Treatment for acid reflux-related back pain | Doctors can perform an endoscopy to join the stomach to the lower esophageal sphincter or apply radiofrequency energy to tighten the sphincter. Treating the underlying musculoskeletal conditions causing acid reflux may also help. | |
| Muscle trigger points | Muscle trigger points can cause heartburn and mimic acid reflux. These points are usually found in the anterior abdominal wall, such as the rectus abdominis sheath and the external obliques. | |
| Treatment for muscle trigger points | Physiotherapy with a therapist trained in myofascial release work, hot water bottles, acupuncture or acupressure, and steroid injections are possible treatments. | |
| Acid-induced muscle pain | Acid-induced muscle pain | Acidic infusions can cause muscle pain, including aching, throbbing, cramping, and tenderness. |
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What You'll Learn
Acid reflux and back pain
Sedentary habits, poor posture, obesity, and diets rich in spicy, acidic, or fatty foods can amplify acid reflux and contribute to back pain. Slouching for long periods can put pressure on the abdomen and force stomach acid up through the oesophagus. Poor posture can also place stress on spinal nerve roots, making them more sensitive to referred pain signals. Losing excess weight and improving one's posture can help alleviate acid reflux-induced back pain.
Lifestyle changes and medications can help manage acid reflux and back pain. Avoiding trigger foods such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus, garlic, onions, tomatoes, spicy or sour foods, carbonated beverages, and fried or fatty foods can reduce acid reflux and associated back pain. Eating smaller meals and avoiding late-night snacks can also significantly reduce symptoms. Over-the-counter medications such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can help control acid reflux, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can ease acute back pain. Additionally, improving sleep, exercising regularly, and practising mindfulness techniques can help reduce stress, a common trigger for reflux.
Chronic back pain can be stressful to manage, and ongoing stress may increase the risk of developing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Treating the underlying cause of back pain, such as through chiropractic treatment or strengthening and stretching muscles, may help relieve acid reflux. If home treatments and lifestyle changes do not improve symptoms, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended.
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GERD symptoms
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that arises when acid reflux occurs frequently and is accompanied by other symptoms. Acid reflux, or heartburn, is a burning sensation that occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the oesophagus—the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. This happens when the muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus, known as the oesophageal sphincter, does not close properly, allowing stomach acid to flow back up through the partial opening.
- Regurgitation, or the sensation of stomach contents coming back up through the oesophagus and into the throat or mouth, sometimes causing a taste of food or stomach acid.
- A chronic cough.
- Chest pain, which may indicate a more serious condition if severe.
- Difficulty swallowing or a feeling that food is trapped.
- A sensation of acid refluxed into the windpipe, causing shortness of breath, coughing, or hoarseness.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Bloody or dark stools.
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Musculoskeletal conditions
If musculoskeletal conditions are the root cause of acid reflux, treating the underlying cause of back pain may help relieve acid reflux. Treatments may include strengthening and stretching muscles to achieve correct alignment and support, undergoing chiropractic treatment to correctly align the spine and increase joint mobility, and switching positions frequently when sitting for long periods.
It is important to note that muscle trigger points can also cause heartburn, which can mimic acid reflux but is entirely unresponsive to acid suppression drugs. These trigger points can be treated with physiotherapy, hot water bottles, acupuncture, acupressure, or steroid injections.
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Muscle trigger points
While acid reflux can cause back pain, it is important to note that musculoskeletal conditions may also be the cause of acid reflux. Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS), for instance, is an imbalance in the neck, shoulder, and chest muscles that may occur from extended periods of poor posture. UCS may cause pain in the back, neck, and chest, as well as acid reflux and heartburn.
Trigger points can cause a more generalised 'irritable bowel' type of abdominal pain syndrome. They can also be associated with nausea. The reason why trigger points cause these symptoms is not entirely clear, but it may be due to referred pain overloading the pain receptors in the spinal cord.
Identifying trigger points is key to determining the location and number of myofascial trigger points. During the palpation portion of the examination, trigger points are identified when the patient experiences pain while the physician palpates a band-like nodule within the muscle.
Trigger points can be treated with nonpharmacologic treatments such as massage, osteopathic manual medicine, physical therapy, and the spray and stretch technique. Evidence for the use of medications in trigger point management is lacking.
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Treatment options
While there is no clear evidence that acid reflux causes muscle aches, there are several treatment options available for acid reflux. These include lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are often the first step in treating acid reflux. Doctors may recommend losing weight, as this is considered the most effective lifestyle change for improving symptoms. Other recommendations include elevating the head during sleep, quitting smoking, and changing eating habits and diet. Specifically, it is suggested to avoid foods that increase the level of acid in the stomach, such as caffeinated beverages, fatty foods, alcohol, and peppermint, as these can make reflux worse.
Medication
Doctors may prescribe medication to manage symptoms of acid reflux. Over-the-counter antacids are recommended for intermittent and infrequent symptoms, but they can worsen the problem if taken frequently. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are another option and can be bought over the counter or prescribed. They are better at treating symptoms than H2 blockers and can heal the esophageal lining. Other medications include prokinetic agents, which enhance gastrointestinal tract smooth muscle activity, and are sometimes prescribed in combination with an acid-suppressing drug.
Surgery
If lifestyle changes and medication do not provide relief, surgery may be recommended. Fundoplication is the most common surgery for acid reflux, where a surgeon sews the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus to add pressure and help prevent reflux. This can be performed as laparoscopic or open surgery. Weight-loss surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery, may also be recommended for those with acid reflux and obesity.
Alternative Therapies
In some cases, acid reflux symptoms may be caused by muscle trigger points, which can be treated with alternative therapies. Physiotherapy with a therapist trained in myofascial release work can help, as can applying hot water bottles to the affected areas. Acupuncture or acupressure may also provide relief. Injecting the trigger point area with steroids is another option, although it is not commonly used.
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Frequently asked questions
Acid reflux can cause heartburn, chest pain, and back pain. While there is a link between acid reflux and muscle pain, it is not always clear if acid reflux directly causes muscle aches. In some cases, muscle pain may be the underlying cause of acid reflux.
Treatment options for acid reflux-related muscle pain include lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery. Lifestyle changes may involve losing weight, quitting smoking, and improving posture. Medication and surgery are other options, but these should be discussed with a doctor first.
The rectus abdominis sheath, external obliques, and psoas muscle are typically associated with muscle trigger points that can cause acid reflux-like symptoms.
