For many people that suffer from heartburn, it is not just the heartburn that is causing them pain. The pain from heartburn is originating in the trunk of the body, and given this, it is possible that sufferers of heartburn are going to experience pain in other areas of their body. Heartburn and back pain for example is one area of concern for many people struggling with heartburn.

One reason that heartburn and back pain are linked may be due to the location of the pain. Most people that suffer from severe heartburn may report back pain as well. The reason for this is that severe symptoms are caused by more stomach acids flowing back up the esophagus than in the case of mild heartburn. With severe symptoms, the pain is often so intense, it has nowhere to go but to radiate to the back. This gives the sufferer not just one, but two pain experiences to have to handle. When heartburn is this severe, there is no question as to whether or not the back pain is linked to the primary problem.

Another reason that heartburn and back pain are linked 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 happens for long enough, the soft tissue damage can move as far back as the individual’s back. When this happens, back pain as a result of the heartburn is experienced.

Another less common reason for heartburn and back pain can be when the individual develops poor sleeping habits. Very often, the most comfortable sleeping arrangement for someone with this condition is to sleep with their head elevated. Sufferers that sleep flat will find themselves waking often due to the effect of gravity on the stomach acids. The acids have no way of moving anywhere, so settle in the esophagus and wake the person up with pain. Many sufferers choose to sleep with their head elevated for this reason. When this happens, the back may be put out of line and the individual can end up waking up with pain anyway, but it is back pain that is being experienced.