ぎっくり腰(ごし)

ぎっくりごし
noun
slipped disc; strained back; acute lower back pain
healthbody-part
1. slipped disc; strained back; acute lower back pain
sudden severe lower back pain, often caused by lifting something heavy or making an awkward movement
重(おも)い荷物(にもつ)を持(も)ってぎっくり腰(ごし)になった。
I threw out my back lifting a heavy load.
ぎっくり腰(ごし)で動(うご)けない。
I can't move because of my strained back.
父(ちち)がぎっくり腰(ごし)で入院(にゅういん)した。
My father was hospitalized with a slipped disc.

Etymology

The word ぎっくり is onomatopoeic, representing the sudden shock or snap felt when the back gives out.

Medical term

急性腰痛症(きゅうせいようつうしょう) (acute lower back pain) is the formal medical term.

Alternative name

Also called 「魔女(まじょ)の一撃(いちげき)」 (witch's strike) in German-influenced medical terminology, similar to the German term "Hexenschuss."

Prevention

Related Words

Related: 寝違(ねちが)え (stiff neck; crick in the neck)
general
Added 2026.1.25 9:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
08000/08035_gikkurigoshi