Can Gastritis Cause Back Pain in Both Sides? A Complete Guide

That nagging ache in your back might not be from your mattress or how you sit at your desk. Surprisingly, the source of your discomfort could be your stomach. If you're wondering whether stomach issues can cause back pain, you're asking the right question. Many people are unaware of the direct link between gastritis and back pain, often overlooking the gastric source of their discomfort.

Yes, gastritis can cause back pain, often experienced on both sides of the upper or middle back. This occurs because the inflammation of your stomach lining irritates shared nerve pathways, a phenomenon known as "referred pain." Your brain interprets these pain signals as coming from your back instead of your stomach.

Introduction to Gastritis and Back Pain

Gastritis is a common condition involving inflammation of the stomach lining. While it’s known for causing abdominal pain, nausea, and indigestion, its connection to back pain is less understood. This link is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, as managing the gastritis back pain requires addressing the root stomach issue.

Understanding Gastritis

Gastritis occurs when the protective lining of your stomach becomes inflamed or damaged. This can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-lasting). Common symptoms include a burning ache in your upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness after eating.

How Stomach Inflammation Causes Referred Pain

The stomach shares nerve connections with other parts of the body, including the muscles and tissues in your back. When the stomach lining is inflamed, these nerves send intense pain signals to the brain. Due to these shared pathways, your brain can misinterpret the source of the pain, making you feel it in your upper or middle back. This is often described as a deep, gnawing stomach-related back pain.

Can Gastritis Cause Back Pain?

Yes, gastritis can cause back pain—especially when trapped gas or inflammation in the stomach puts pressure on surrounding organs and nerves. This discomfort often radiates to the upper back, particularly between the shoulder blades, and is commonly experienced as back pain with indigestion. The swollen stomach lining or excessive gas buildup can irritate the diaphragm and nearby nerves, triggering pain signals that reach the back. While the pain typically starts in the abdomen, it may also be felt as pain in lower left back or lower right back pain, depending on how the digestive system is affected.

Can GERD Cause Back Pain?

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and gastritis are both digestive issues, but they affect the body differently. While gastritis involves inflammation of the stomach lining, GERD is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the oesophagus, leading to a burning sensation known as heartburn. Over time, the acid irritation can create discomfort that radiates beyond the chest and abdomen.

So, can GERD cause back pain? Yes, especially when acid reflux becomes chronic. The burning or tightening sensation can extend to the upper back and sometimes even contribute to lower right back pain. This is due to the way nerves in the chest and digestive tract transmit signals to the back muscles. In some cases, back pain with indigestion becomes a regular complaint, particularly after meals or when lying down. Chronic GERD can also lead to muscle tension or postural strain, further intensifying back discomfort. Addressing GERD early is key to reducing both digestive and referred musculoskeletal pain.

Symptoms of Gastritis-Related Back Pain

Distinguishing back pain from gastritis from other types of back pain is key. Look for these signs:

• A dull, persistent ache in the upper or middle back.
• Pain that occurs on both sides of the spine.
• Discomfort that worsens after eating, especially spicy, fatty, or acidic foods.
• Back pain accompanied by digestive symptoms like bloating, heartburn, or nausea.

Why the Pain Appears on Both Sides

The stomach is located centrally in the upper abdomen. The nerves that transmit pain signals from it branch out to both sides of the spinal cord. Consequently, the referred pain is often felt bilaterally, creating the sensation of gastritis back pain both sides.

Causes of Gastritis-Related Back Pain

Several factors can trigger or worsen gastritis and the referred back pain it causes.

Air Swallowing and Gas

Swallowing excess air (aerophagia) or having significant gas buildup can cause the stomach to distend. This pressure can aggravate the inflamed stomach lining and intensify the referred pain signals sent to your back.

Alcohol and Certain Medications

Consuming alcohol and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are well-known causes of gastritis. They irritate the stomach lining, leading to inflammation that can manifest as upper abdominal and back pain.

Stress

Sudden or severe physical/mental illnesses can lead to excessive stress. As a result, blood flow to the stomach decreases, making the gut vulnerable to a low pH. So, the stomach's acidic environment damages the lining and causes ulcers, leading to back pain , which may manifest as back pain with indigestion.

Other Digestive Factors

Your diet plays a significant role. Spicy foods, highly acidic foods (like tomatoes and citrus), and large, heavy meals can all worsen gastritis symptoms, including the associated back pain.

Chronic Health Conditions

Any health condition that impairs the functioning of your digestive system can increase the risk of trapped gas, leading to back pain. Gastric back pain is joint for chronic conditions like diabetes, intestinal diseases, and food intolerances (lactose or gluten). These can contribute to lower right back pain or pain in lower left back, particularly after meals.

How to Differentiate Gastric Back Pain from Other Back Pain Causes?

Not all back pain stems from digestive issues—knowing how to distinguish between gastric-related pain and other causes is important for proper treatment. Gastric pain, often referred to as visceral pain, usually originates from internal organs and can radiate outward. In the case of gastritis, the pain may be dull, crampy, or feel like pressure that spreads to the back, especially after eating or during episodes of indigestion.

In contrast, musculoskeletal back pain is typically linked to posture, injury, or strain in muscles, ligaments, or discs. It often worsens with movement and improves with rest or physical therapy. If you're experiencing pain in lower left back or lower right back pain that isn’t relieved by digestive remedies, it could be a sign of muscular tension or even issues like kidney stones or spinal disorders.

Red flags to watch for include severe or sudden pain, pain accompanied by fever, blood in urine or stool, or neurological symptoms like numbness. These signs indicate the need for immediate medical attention and are unlikely to be related to gastritis. Accurate diagnosis helps avoid mismanagement and ensures you're treating the actual source of your discomfort.

Diagnosis and When to See a Doctor

It’s important to understand when your symptoms warrant professional medical advice.

Identifying Referred Pain

Unlike muscular back pain, which worsens with movement and improves with rest, gastritis-related back pain is often linked to your eating schedule. If your back hurts more after meals and is accompanied by digestive upset, it’s likely referred pain.

Red Flags Requiring Immediate Attention

Seek immediate medical evaluation if you experience:

• Severe or sudden stomach or back pain
• Vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds
• Black, tarry stools
• Unexplained weight loss or fever

Treatment Options and Relief Measures

Effective management of gastritis and back pain involves a two-pronged approach: healing the stomach and alleviating the pain.

Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet is the first step. Avoid trigger foods and opt for smaller, more frequent meals. Managing stress through activities like yoga or meditation can also reduce gastritis flare-ups.

Home Remedies

For immediate relief from gastritis pain, simple home remedies can help. Try applying a warm heating pad to your abdomen or back, drinking plenty of water, and maintaining an upright posture after eating to reduce pressure on your stomach.

Physiotherapy and Posture Correction

While physiotherapy doesn't treat gastritis, it is highly effective for managing referred back pain. A physiotherapist can guide you through:

• Gentle stretching exercises to relieve tension in the back muscles.
• Posture correction to reduce abdominal compression.
• Manual therapy to ease muscle tightness caused by guarding against the pain.

At Physiotattva, our experts create personalized plans to manage musculoskeletal symptoms linked to internal conditions.

Physiotherapy Techniques to Relieve Gastritis-Related Back Pain

Physiotherapy can be an effective approach to managing gastric-related back pain by targeting the underlying muscular and postural imbalances that often accompany digestive issues. Various physiotherapy techniques, including breathing exercises, stretching, and low-impact practices, can help control and relieve gastritis pain. Such strategies promote circulation, reduce tension around the diaphragm, and target processes that facilitate the regeneration of the stomach lining. Here’s how physiotherapy can help ease digestive discomfort and its impact on your back:

• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Improves oxygen flow and reduces pressure on the upper abdomen, easing gastric symptoms that often radiate to the back.
• Gentle Stretching and Posture Correction: Helps alleviate pain in the lower left back or lower right back pain caused by tension built up from poor posture or abdominal discomfort.
• Manual Therapy Techniques: In cases where poor posture from chronic GERD causes muscular strain, techniques like:

1. Myofascial release
2. Soft tissue mobilisation helps relax tight muscles in the upper and mid-back.

• Core Strengthening and Postural Correction: These promote better spinal alignment and reduce the chances of recurrent back pain with indigestion.

At Physiotattva, we customise treatment plans to not only address gastric discomfort but also to restore functional movement, reduce reliance on medications, and enhance your quality of life, naturally and effectively.

Get Lasting Relief from Gastric Back Pain with Effective Care from  Physiotattva

Physiotherapy remains one of the most effective, non-invasive approaches to managing gastric-related back pain. At Physiotattva, our expert-led consultations and home visits are designed to address the root causes of discomfort while improving your overall mobility and quality of life. Alongside targeted therapy, we guide you through lifestyle changes that support long-term digestive health and prevent recurring pain, making recovery both achievable and sustainable.

At Physiotattva physiotherapy clinics in Bangalore and Hyderabad, you receive personalised care tailored to your specific needs, ensuring effective results and comfort throughout your journey to recovery. 

Don’t wait to start your recovery! Get in touch with Physiotattva for more details! Contact us at +91 89510 47001.

FAQs

Can gas pain cause lower right back pain?

Yes, trapped gas can lead to lower right back pain by creating pressure in the intestines that radiates to nearby muscles and nerves. This is especially common when digestion is disrupted or bloating becomes severe.

Is it gastritis or GERD causing my back pain?

Gastritis often causes dull, crampy pain linked to inflammation, while GERD typically results in burning sensations that radiate. If your back pain with indigestion worsens after eating or lying down, GERD might be the more likely cause.

Where exactly does gastric back pain occur?

Gastric-related back pain often occurs between the shoulder blades or in the lower left or right back, depending on gas buildup or inflammation. It typically radiates from the stomach and worsens with bloating or poor digestion.

What helps with gastritis back pain?

Exercise, changes in diet (avoiding alcohol, smoking, and artificial sweeteners), physiotherapy, and more help treat gastritis pain. Breathing exercises, stretching, and low-impact exercises are some physiotherapy techniques that can help control and relieve gastric back pain. Such strategies encourage circulation and target processes that aid in stomach lining regeneration. Furthermore, the functioning of the secretory glands improves, allowing for smooth digestion.

Can physiotherapy really help with back pain from indigestion?

Yes, physiotherapy can reduce back pain with indigestion by improving posture, relieving muscular tension, and supporting better digestion through techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and core strengthening, especially when pain is linked to GERD or gastritis.