Translation guide
A slipped disk (herniated disk) is a medical condition where the soft inner part of a spinal disk pushes through a tear in the outer layer, often causing pain. In Japanese, this is commonly referred to as 椎間板ヘルニア (tsuikanban herunia), and learners should be aware of related terms like ぎっくり腰 for acute back pain.
Referring to the medical diagnosis of a herniated or slipped spinal disk.
The standard medical term for a herniated disk. Widely understood and used in both medical and everyday contexts.
椎間板ヘルニアと診断されました。
I was diagnosed with a slipped disk.
椎間板ヘルニアの手術を受けた。
I had surgery for a slipped disk.
Specifies a herniated disk in the lumbar (lower back) region. Common in medical contexts.
腰椎椎間板ヘルニアで足にしびれがあります。
I have numbness in my leg due to a lumbar herniated disk.
Herniated disk in the cervical (neck) region. Less common than lumbar herniation.
頸椎椎間板ヘルニアで腕が痛い。
My arm hurts from a cervical herniated disk.
Describing sudden, severe back pain that people might casually refer to as a slipped disk, even if not medically diagnosed.
Refers to acute lower back strain or sprain, often with sudden onset. Not a herniated disk per se, but commonly used when someone 'throws out' their back.
重いものを持ち上げたら、ぎっくり腰になった。
I threw out my back lifting something heavy.
ぎっくり腰で動けません。
I can't move because of a slipped disk (acute back pain).
General term for lower back pain. Can be used to describe symptoms that might be from a slipped disk.
椎間板ヘルニア is a specific medical diagnosis (herniated disk), while ぎっくり腰 is a non-specific term for acute lower back strain. In casual English, 'slipped disk' is often used for any sudden back pain, but in Japanese, it's important to distinguish between the two. If you're unsure, describe symptoms rather than self-diagnosing.
Do not translate 'slipped disk' literally as 滑った円盤 (suberu enban) or similar. It will not be understood.
腰痛がひどくて、病院に行った。
My back pain was so bad I went to the hospital.