Hexenschuss

You have a sharp pain in your back, as if you've been shot. You can hardly move, let alone walk. In Germany, the doctor's diagnosis would be: "Hexenschuss," literally "shot by a witch." The term, which was first used in the 16th century, is probably based on the superstition that witches have the power to harm - and the "Hexenschuss" victim ends up bent over like an old witch. That's certainly a more visual description than the English-speaker who "throws out" his back. Unfortunately, however, there are no magic potions to cure a "Hexenschuss;" the patient can only take it easy and wait.