Division of Internal Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; and Fellow, Division of Gastroenterology, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 20889, USA.
This article provides an overview of the historic background of achalasia. It describes how achalasia was first chronicled in the 17th century. Prevalent theories of etiology from the original description to present day constructs are examined. Important individuals and their contributions to the concepts of achalasia are reviewed and various nonsurgical and surgical therapeutic techniques from antiquity to today are presented.