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Lifestyle Changes –

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay hydrated
• Quit smoking
• Avoid food triggers (these can include citrus, spicy foods, etc.)
• Eat smaller meals
• Sit up straight when eating
• Don’t eat a large meal within two hours of lying down or going to bed
• Sleep with your head elevated
• Eliminate caffeine from your diet
• Eliminate alcohol from your diet

Can GERD make your back hurt?

Heartburn from acid reflux may cause pain in the chest, which can radiate to the back. To treat back pain caused by acid reflux, a doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and certain medications. Surgery may also be an option in severe or persistent cases.

Acid reflux can cause heartburn, which causes pain in the chest that may radiate to the back, People may also experience pain in the neck and throat. Acid reflux and back pain may also share some of the same risk factors. Having obesity, carrying excess weight, and smoking may all lead to acid reflux.

These factors are also risk factors for back pain. Musculoskeletal conditions may cause acid reflux, too. Upper cross syndrome (UCS), also known as upper crossed syndrome, is an imbalance in the neck, shoulder, and chest muscles and may occur from extended periods of poor posture.

UCS may cause pain in the back, neck, and chest. According to a 2021 case report, UCS may cause a range of other symptoms, and it may trigger acid reflux and heartburn. Staying in positions with poor posture for long periods of time can put pressure on the abdomen and force stomach acid up through the esophagus.

If acid reflux is causing back pain, treating acid reflux may relieve back pain. Treatments for acid reflux may include :

What is the best pain relief for GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This article tells you what you need to do to manage your condition. You can make many lifestyle changes to help treat your symptoms. Avoid foods that cause problems for you.

Do not drink alcohol.Avoid drinks and foods that have caffeine, such as soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate.Avoid decaffeinated coffee. It also increases the level of acid in your stomach.Avoid high-acid fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, pineapple, tomatoes, or tomato-based dishes (pizza, chili, and spaghetti) if you find that they cause heartburn.Avoid items with spearmint or peppermint.

Other lifestyle tips that may make your symptoms better are:

Eat smaller meals, and eat more often.Lose weight, if you need to.If you smoke or chew tobacco, try to quit. Your health care provider can help.Exercise, but not right after eating.Reduce your stress and watch for stressful, tense times. Stress can bother your reflux problem.Bend at the knees, not your waist, to pick things up.Avoid wearing clothes that put pressure on your waist or stomach. Do not lie down for 3 to 4 hours after eating.

Avoid medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain. Take any of your medicines with plenty of water. When you start a new medicine, remember to ask if it will make your heartburn worse. Try these tips before going to sleep:

Do not skip meals or eat a large meal for dinner to make up for missed meals.Avoid late night snacks.Do not lie down right after you eat. Remain upright for 3 to 4 hours after your last meal before you go to bed.Raise your bed 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) at the head of your bed, using blocks. You can also use a wedge support that raises the top half of your body when you are in bed. (Extra pillows that raise only your head may not help.)

Antacids can help neutralize your stomach acid. They do not help to treat the irritation in your esophagus. Common side effects of antacids include diarrhea or constipation. Other over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs can treat GERD. They work more slowly than antacids but give you longer relief.

H2 antagonists: famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and nizatidine (Axid)Proton pump inhibitors (PPI): omeprazole (Prilosec or Zegarid), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), rabeprazole (AcipHex), and pantoprazole (Protonix)

You will have follow-up visits with your provider to check your esophagus. You may also need to have dental check-ups. GERD can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away. Contact your provider if you have:

Problems or pain with swallowingChokingA full feeling after eating a small meal portionWeight loss that cannot be explainedVomitingLoss of appetiteChest painBleeding, blood in your stools, or dark, tarry looking stoolsHoarseness

Peptic esophagitis – discharge; Reflux esophagitis – discharge; GERD – discharge; Heartburn – chronic – discharge Abdul-Hussein M, Castell DO. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, Heidelbaugh JJ, Lee EM, eds. Conn’s Current Therapy 2023,

• Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier 2023:220-222.
• Falk GW, Katzka DA.
• Diseases of the esophagus.
• In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.
• Goldman-Cecil Medicine,26th ed.
• Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 129.
• Atz PO, Gerson LB, Vela MF.
• Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Am J Gastroenterol,2013;108(3):308-328.

PMID: 23419381 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23419381/, Richter JE,Vaezi MF. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease,11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 46.

Is back massage good for GERD?

Can A Massage Help With Acid Reflux? – Massage therapy is a type of bodywork that involves the manipulation of soft tissues to promote relaxation and healing. Massage therapy can help reduce stress, improve circulation, and reduce muscle tension, all of which can contribute to the relief of acid reflux symptoms.

1. In addition, massage therapy can help improve digestion, which can also reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
2. Research has shown that massage therapy can be effective in treating GERD.
3. According to a preliminary trial, massaging the connective tissue surrounding the diaphragm could significantly reduce acid reflux for people with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

A study conducted on the benefits of massage therapy for infants with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, also showed promising results. However, it is important to note that massage therapy should not be used as a replacement for traditional treatments for GERD.

What part of the back hurts with GERD?

Ulcer and heartburn – Signs of digestive distress often include pains in your abdomen or reactions that include vomiting or diarrhea. Depending on the condition, however, you could feel pain in your back as well. A peptic ulcer can cause referred pain in your back. This type of ulcer is a sore in your stomach or the small intestines. Typical symptoms include:

heartburnabdominal painbloatinggas

Ulcers can be mild or quite painful. For the more serious cases, pain can be felt in the back as well. Heartburn is another digestive disorder that may cause pain in your back. Symptoms of heartburn caused by gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), include a burning sensation in the chest, a sour taste in the mouth, and pain the middle of your back.

How long does acid reflux back pain last?

What is Acid Reflux? – If you’ve ever had a sour taste in your throat after you’ve eaten too quickly, consumed a large meal, or if you’ve felt a burning in your esophagus and a tightness in your chest, it’s likely you were experiencing acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid or bile enters the lower esophageal sphincter and irritates the pipe lining.

What gives immediate relief from GERD?

OTC Heartburn Medication – There are three main types of heartburn medications that you can get without a prescription 2 :

Antacids provide fast heartburn relief. They start to work in seconds* to neutralize stomach acid, making your stomach contents less acidic and reducing the chances that acidic liquid will leak into your esophagus (the muscular tube that connects your mouth and stomach). Antacids contain ingredients like calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, aluminum hydroxide, and alginate. Depending on the type of antacid, you may take these medications as a chewable tablet or drink them as a liquid 3, H2 blockers start to work in minutes** and prevent cells in the stomach from producing high levels of stomach acid. H2 blockers go by the generic names famotidine, cimetidine, and nizatidine. They may come in tablet, capsule, or liquid form 4, Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) halt almost all production of stomach acid. However, they are not intended for immediate relief – it can take up to 1-4 days for these medications to start producing their full effects. Over-the-counter PPIs include omeprazole, lansoprazole, and esomeprazole. These capsules or tablets are taken by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast 5,

* Starts to neutralize acid on contact ** Starts to relieve heartburn in 15-30 minutes

Should I rest with GERD?

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process, Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Overview Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition where stomach acid flows up your esophagus. This leads to irritation. While most people experience heartburn or acid reflux at some point in their lives, you may have GERD if your acid reflux symptoms are chronic, and you suffer from them more than twice a week.

insomniadaytime sleepinessrestless leg syndromesleep apnea

It is common for people with sleep apnea to also have GERD. Sleep apnea is when you experience either shallow breathing or one or more pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses last a few seconds to a few minutes. Pauses can also occur 30 times or more an hour.

Following these pauses, typical breathing normally resumes, but often with a loud snort or choking sound. Sleep apnea can make you feel tired and lethargic during the day because it disrupts sleep. It’s usually a chronic condition. As a result, it can hinder daytime functioning and make it hard to concentrate on daily activities.

The NSF recommends that those with nighttime GERD symptoms receive screening for sleep apnea. The symptoms of GERD, such as coughing and choking, tend to worsen when you are lying down or attempting to sleep. The backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus can reach as high as your throat and larynx, causing you to experience a coughing or choking sensation.

This can cause you to wake up from sleep. Although these symptoms can be concerning, there are many ways that you can improve your sleep. Lifestyle and behavior modifications can go a long way toward helping you get the quality sleep you need — even with GERD. Sleeping on a large, specially designed wedge-shaped pillow can be effective in managing GERD-related sleep problems,

The wedge-shaped pillow keeps you partially upright creating more resistance to the flow of acid. It also can limit sleep positions that may put pressure on your abdomen and aggravate heartburn and reflux symptoms. If you can’t find a sleep wedge at a regular bedding store, you could check maternity shops.

1. These stores often carry wedge pillows because GERD is common during pregnancy.
2. You can also check medical supply stores, drugstores, and specialty sleep stores.
3. Tilting the head of your bed upward will raise your head, which can help reduce the chance that your stomach acid will reflux into your throat during the night.

The Cleveland Clinic recommends using bed risers, These are small, column-like platforms placed under the legs of your bed. People often use them to make room for storage. You can find them at most home accessory stores. For GERD treatment, place the risers only under the two legs at the top of your bed (the headboard end), not under the legs at the foot of your bed.

The goal is to ensure that your head is higher than your feet. Raising the head of your bed by 6 inches can often have helpful results. Going to bed too soon after eating can cause GERD symptoms to flare up and affect your sleep. The Cleveland Clinic recommends finishing meals at least three to four hours before lying down.

You should also avoid bedtime snacks. Walk your dog or take a relaxing stroll through your neighborhood after dinner. If a walk isn’t practical at night, doing the dishes or putting away laundry will often give your digestive system enough time to start to process your meal.

Research has found that regular exercise can improve and regulate sleep. It has the added benefit of helping with weight loss, which also lessens GERD symptoms. But it’s important to note that exercising naturally increases adrenaline. This means that exercising right before going to bed can make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Weight loss is also an effective way to decrease reflux. Losing weight decreases intra-abdominal pressure, which decreases the likelihood of reflux. Also, eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid foods and beverages that worsen symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, some foods and beverages to avoid include:

fried foodstomatoesalcoholcoffeechocolategarlic

GERD symptoms can significantly impact the quality of your sleep, but there are measures you can take to reduce those symptoms. Longer-term lifestyle changes like losing weight are options to consider if you’re having trouble sleeping because of GERD.

Is laying down good for GERD?

Big meals and eating certain foods – The occasional episode of acid reflux may also just be the result of a little more acid production than usual — perhaps brought on by a particularly large meal or your sensitivity to certain foods. And if you lie down before all your food is digested, you run the risk of having some of that excess acid leak through the sphincter.

Can GERD cause back pain between shoulder blades?

2. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – Also known commonly as heartburn, acid reflux can produce shoulder blade pain that resembles that of a heart attack. It will likely accompany upper chest symptoms. Sufferers of GERD, a more serious form of acid reflux, report that heartburn pain is sharp and in the central chest.

How long does it take to heal GERD naturally?

Some research suggests that inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can take up to 8 weeks to heal with successful lifestyle changes and medications. However, these measures will not fully cure GERD. Treatments can include a combination of lifestyle changes and medications.

1. Most people will notice symptom improvement to complete resolution with treatment.
2. This article reviews the possible timing of esophagitis from GERD healing, the various treatment options for GERD, and how they affect a person’s symptoms.
3. GERD esophagitis is when the stomach’s content comes back up — referred to as reflux — into the esophagus.

This results in inflammation and damage. GERD esophagitis can cause mild to severe symptoms, including :

heartburn regurgitationneck painlump in the throatincreased saliva

The goal of therapy for esophagitis healing is to keep symptoms well managed and prevent complications. The esophagus may heal within 6–8 weeks with the following lifestyle changes and treatments. Read more about GERD with esophagitis. If a person is overweight or has obesity, weight loss may help improve GERD esophagitis.

physical activitybehavioral strategiesdietary modifications

In an older study from 2013, researchers noted that of over 330 participants, 65% saw the complete resolution of their GERD symptoms, and 15% saw the partial resolution. They noted the weight loss percentage had the largest impact on successful resolution.

How long does a GERD flare up last?

How Long Do GERD Symptoms Last? – The duration of GERD symptoms can vary from person to person, In some cases, symptoms may occasionally last a few hours, In other cases, symptoms may be more frequent and persist for several days or weeks, For many people, GERD is a chronic condition, meaning that symptoms come and go over time and may persist for long periods,

• If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, such as esophageal stricture or Barrett’s esophagus, so it’s essential to consult a doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms regularly.
• Several factors, including diet, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions, can influence the duration of GERD symptoms.

Many people can reduce the frequency and duration of their GERD symptoms by making lifestyle changes, such as avoiding trigger foods and drinks, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding lying down after eating. Additionally, medication and other treatments can also be effective in managing GERD symptoms.

How fast can GERD be cured?

How do you treat GERD? – There are four different ways to treat GERD, including singular treatments and combination treatments. The treatment approaches are:

Lifestyle changes Medicine Endoscopy treatments Surgery

Usually, a combination of the first three will yield good results. Minor cases of GERD can heal in less than a month. More moderate cases can require 6 to 12 weeks of treatment. Some patients do not report good results even after treatment and require surgery.

How do you sleep with GERD?

Switch to the Best Sleeping Position for Acid Reflux – Reducing potential GERD triggers is a common aspect of managing the condition. Since many GERD issues arise at night, it may help to adjust your sleeping position and make changes to your mattress or bed frame.

• Multiple research studies have found that sleeping on your left side is the best sleeping position for GERD.
• Sleeping with your left side down reduces reflux episodes and exposure of the esophagus to stomach acid.
• Sleeping in other positions, including on your back, can make reflux more likely.
• In addition to sleeping on your left side, you may want to consider propping up the top of the bed – not just the pillows under your head – by at least 6 inches.

This can cut down on reflux symptoms when lying down. Using an adjustable bed frame is one easy way to incorporate this change.

What does GERD pain feel like?

Symptoms – Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night or while lying down Backwash (regurgitation) of food or sour liquid Upper abdominal or chest pain Trouble swallowing (dysphagia) Sensation of a lump in your throat

If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience:

An ongoing cough Inflammation of the vocal cords (laryngitis) New or worsening asthma

How long does a GERD flare up last?

How Long Do GERD Symptoms Last? – The duration of GERD symptoms can vary from person to person, In some cases, symptoms may occasionally last a few hours, In other cases, symptoms may be more frequent and persist for several days or weeks, For many people, GERD is a chronic condition, meaning that symptoms come and go over time and may persist for long periods,

• If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, such as esophageal stricture or Barrett’s esophagus, so it’s essential to consult a doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms regularly.
• Several factors, including diet, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions, can influence the duration of GERD symptoms.

Many people can reduce the frequency and duration of their GERD symptoms by making lifestyle changes, such as avoiding trigger foods and drinks, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding lying down after eating. Additionally, medication and other treatments can also be effective in managing GERD symptoms.