Short answer · Medically reviewed summary · Last updated: 2026-05-08
Achalasia was first described in the medical literature by Sir Thomas Willis in 1674, who successfully treated a patient using a whalebone to dilate the esophagus. Today, the medical community understands Achalasia as a primary esophageal motility disorder characterized by the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and a lack of peristalsis in the esophageal body. How was Achalasia first discovered? The history of Achalasia began with Sir Thomas Willis, who provided the first clinical description in 1674.
5 people with Achalasia have shared their first-person experience on this question at DiseaseMaps.
What is the history of Achalasia?
History of Achalasia: when and how it was discovered, and the milestones in research since, medically reviewed.
Achalasia was first described in the medical literature by Sir Thomas Willis in 1674, who successfully treated a patient using a whalebone to dilate the esophagus. Today, the medical community understands Achalasia as a primary esophageal motility disorder characterized by the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and a lack of peristalsis in the esophageal body.
How was Achalasia first discovered?
The history of Achalasia began with Sir Thomas Willis, who provided the first clinical description in 1674. For centuries, the condition was often mislabeled as "cardiospasm," based on the incorrect assumption that the lower esophageal sphincter was in a state of constant spasm. It was not until 1913 that Sir Arthur Hurst coined the term "Achalasia," derived from the Greek word meaning "failure to relax," which accurately describes the underlying physiology of the condition.
What are the major milestones in treatment development?
Treatment for Achalasia has evolved from crude mechanical dilation to highly precise endoscopic and surgical interventions. Key historical milestones include:
- 1674: Sir Thomas Willis performs the first recorded esophageal dilation using whalebone.
- 1913: The term "Achalasia" is officially adopted, shifting clinical focus from "spasm" to "failure to relax."
- 1913: Ernst Heller performs the first esophagomyotomy, which remains the gold standard surgical procedure today.
- 1990s: The introduction of Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections as a temporary, less invasive treatment option.
- 2008: The first Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is performed, revolutionizing minimally invasive care for Achalasia patients.
How has our understanding of Achalasia evolved?
Modern science has moved beyond viewing Achalasia as a simple mechanical blockage. We now recognize it as a neurodegenerative process involving the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus. While the exact trigger remains a subject of research, advancements in high-resolution manometry and genetic studies are helping us distinguish between different subtypes of Achalasia. Today, the 319 members of the DiseaseMaps community with Achalasia benefit from these diagnostic refinements, which allow for more personalized treatment paths.
Next steps
- Consult a specialized gastroenterologist to discuss the latest diagnostic manometry testing.
- Join the DiseaseMaps community to connect with 319 others living with Achalasia.
- Discuss with your care team whether POEM or Heller Myotomy is appropriate for your specific clinical presentation.
Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD): Achalasia
- Orphanet: Achalasia (ORPHA:99908)
- OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man): Achalasia (101600)
- PubMed: Evolution of the treatment of esophageal achalasia
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