Can back pain or neck pain mimic heartburn type symptoms?

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hawaiianmoon

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I have chronic back and neck pain. Can that pain mimic any type of chest discomfort? My back and neck pain are worse in the morning to where if I had to scale it from 1-10 it would be a strong 9. Does that sound like arthritis or an out of place problem? I put a heating pad on my back everyday and sit with one in my chair most of the day. Seems to help a little.
 
While conceivably it's possible that back problems could cause heartburn-type symptoms, most likely your chest pain is coming from other problems like heart problems, GERD, hiatal hernia, etc. Talk to your doctor about your gastric problems and chest pains.

Also, heat causes inflammation to increase. If you are sitting with a heating pad on for hours at a time, that can increase your neck and back pain. Ice works to reduce inflammation and will often give pain relief, or try alternating heat and ice for 20 minutes at a time.

Hope this helps!
 
Maybe I am explaining this wrong. I guess what I am asking is if ANY type of back or neck pain can cause any minor pain right below the throat area in the chest area? I have heard both ways. I don't have acid reflux although I did eat a bunch of tomatos and salsa yesterday so maybe I had the reflux and not know it. But, I have heard some people say that their back or neck pain has given them minor little pains in the chest until they get their back popped so, I am wanting to know if anyone experiences any chest discomfort with their back or neck problems. Thanks to all who share their story! I do know that when I get upset with stress the pain seems to be more apparent so I'm not sure what that means.
 
It really depenRAB on what you have going on. If you are having muscle spasms they could manifest in all areas of the body. Have you had a doctor examine you to figure out the origin of your pain and symptoms? That may help you determine if what is occurring is muscular, nerve related, etc.
 
Well, actually I had some kind of spine nerve test today and the Dr. said that my spine is all out of whack. He showed me on a moniter that a normal one was all green color if you will and mine showed all red and no green! :eek: I will be going back tomorrow to discuss X-rays that were taken. Do you suppose that the spine being so messed up can cause the chest discomfort? It's like the tenderness is right on a bone in the chest area right below the throat. Thanks for your reply!
 
Yes, it's very possible. Look up a spinal nerve dermatome chart. That will show the spinal nerves and where they can manifest in terms of pain when there is a problem. The chart I just looked at showed that pain in the front of the chest below in that area can be C4 related and maybe C3.

For example, many of us with cervical nerve impingement (due to discs or muscles or whatever) have pain down one or both of our arms and into our hanRAB). In fact I've heard of many people who thought for years they had a shoulder problem, and some who got as far as having shoulder surgery only to find out later it was a spine problem all along. Same with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. There are many who have had CTS surgery only to later find out it was related to the cervical spine. When my back problems first started I went to the doctor complaining of hip pain - and that's common when there's a low back nerve impingement.

Should the pain change in any way and doesn't get better please don't hesitate to go to the emergency room. SounRAB similar to what some feel as heart related pain so if something changes, increases, or you get additional heart attack symptoms I'd rather you go and find out it's not a heart thing. My hubby did once and we were scared, he had chest pain and cold sweats. Went to the ER and it turned out to be a pulled nerve in the chest in corabination with flu symptoms. Hubby said "so sorry I wasted your time" and the doctor say "This was not a waste, it was a smart decision. Never ever ignore something abnormal that can even be remotely close to heart attack symptoms. I am glad you came, you made my day" (what a nice way to put it)
 
You know it's funny that you mentioned shoulder surgery because about a year and a half ago, I went to an Ortho Surgeon and because my shoulder was bothering me, I decided to go see him. Well...he told me that I had a torn Rotator cuff and had he had it his way, I would have been in the operation room that day! I decided not to get the surgery and wait it out to see what happens. I have now almost a full range of motion and although it's not completely pain free, I am SO glad that I didn't listen to him! I did realize something this evening and that was when I raised my left arm, it brought on that pain in my chest. I don't know what that means though. I also feel it sometimes when I cough. Like I said, I go back tomorrow to discuss the x-rays. SounRAB like you have some experience in what's going on with me. Hope you are feeling better!!:wave:
 
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