For example, let’s say that you’re faking a strain in your upper back after picking up a heavy box with bad posture. In this case, you might want to do the following to give a convincing performance: Grunt or shout in pain as soon as the injury “happens. " Have the “pain” gradually subside over an hour or so until you’re simply “sore. " After this, wince whenever anything touches your upper back (e. g. , a friend pats you on the back, you brush against a coat rack, etc. ) Go slowly and tenderly when you have to press your upper back into anything (e. g. , you have to sit back into a chair, etc. )
For example, if you’re dealing with a fake upper back sprain, when doing the following sorts of things, you’ll want to put on a pained facial expression, wince, and act like you don’t have our normal amount of flexibility: Throwing something Picking something up from the floor Pulling something apart (e. g. , packaging, tough food, etc. ) Putting on or taking off a coat Raising a hand Doing any sort of high-impact exercise (e. g. , running, jumping, etc. )
For example, acting out an upper back cramp might go like this: When people are around you, stoop to pick up something on the floor. Gasp and grab your lower back. Grimace in pain when people are looking. Slowly stretch back into a standing position and pretend like you are still in pain. Gradually decrease your “pained” performance throughout the rest of the day.
Strains are often caused by: Suddenly twisting or pulling the muscles in the back, especially when handling something heavy. Stressing the muscles by attempting to lift something too heavy. Fatiguing the back muscles too frequently, especially with improper form. Sprains are often caused by: A sudden blow to the back. A fall. The back being forced to stretch beyond its natural flexibility A sharp, sudden bend or twist in the back.
Ice packs Warm compresses/baths Small doses of over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories (Acetaminophen/Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, etc. ) Gentle massage (for cramps) Slowly stretching against the pull of the muscle (for cramps) Rest (for especially bad sprains or strains); doctors recommend no longer than two days, as any longer typically makes healing take longer. It is up to you whether you want to follow this rule for your fake injury.
Pinched nerve: The actual disc itself (usually in the lower back) may or may not experience pain and inflammation. In addition to this, shooting pain called sciatica will occur in one or both of the legs or from the neck down the arm. Local Disc Pain: In this injury, just the area around the disc itself experiences pain and inflammation. The rest of this section will focus mostly on faking a pinched nerve injury because it’s a little harder to do. To fake local disc pain, you’ll want to act like your lower back is painfully sore and stiff (like a bruise) and that bending, twisting, or carrying heavy weights causes you intense pain.
Leg pain is usually most intense in the buttocks or hamstring, though it can also occur in the calf or foot. Arm pain can be centered in the neck, shoulder, elbow, hand, or the arm itself. In either case, the pain can be so bad that it causes you to grunt or wince and stop what you’re doing, even if you’re used to it. The pain usually occurs when performing an activity that puts stress on the lower back, not the limb itself. These include: Standing up or sitting down. Leaning back Bending or twisting Carrying something heavy Straightening one leg in front of you (because this tightens the lower back and hip muscles, not because it uses the leg muscles)[7] X Research source
The tingling feeling is not usually outright painful, so you don’t need to “sell” it especially hard. However, you may want to make a point to mention it to add believability to your act. You can also pretend that using the affected limb while you have this tingling feeling gives you an oddly ticklish, numb feeling (again, just like if the limb had fallen asleep. )
For example, if you’re faking leg pains from a disc injury, you might show the affects on our muscles like this: Having a limping, lopsided gait that keeps the affected leg stiffer than normal. This should be especially bad right after doing something to aggravate the injury (bending, twisting, standing up, etc. ) Being unable to raise and straighten the affected leg very far in front of the body without pain and tightness (note that this is one of the clinical tests doctors will perform for this sort of injury)[9] X Research source Being unable to perform activities that require leg strength without pain, like running, kicking, and especially high-impact activities like jumping.
Sharply bending or twisting, especially when holding a heavy weight Stressing the lower back by leaning back or forward with bad posture, especially when holding a heavy weight Using back muscles (rather than leg muscles) to pick up heavy things. Age-related wear and tear Rarely, receiving a sudden blow to the back or falling
The pain from disc herniation can be lessened with anti-inflammatory treatments like ice packs, warm compresses, ibuprofen, and so on. However, these things alone will not make a disc herniation better — just temporarily decrease the pain. While most people with herniated discs eventually get better within six weeks, sometimes, more powerful pain medications and even surgery can be necessary.
The pain from disc herniation can be lessened with anti-inflammatory treatments like ice packs, warm compresses, ibuprofen, and so on. However, these things alone will not make a disc herniation better — just temporarily decrease the pain. While most people with herniated discs eventually get better within six weeks, sometimes, more powerful pain medications and even surgery can be necessary.
Faking this sort of pain can be a challenge. When the “injury” occurs, you’ll want to cry out in pain, fall to the ground, and immediately start wincing or writhing in intense pain. If you can cry on command, this is a good time to use your skill.
Standing Walking Getting up or sitting down Bending Twisting
A “hunchback” appearance A decrease in height The inability to stand straight up
Shooting pains in one or more limbs A numb, tingling sensation like the limb has fallen asleep Weakness and stiffness in the affected limbs In severe cases, a loss of bladder/bowel control
Serious car crashes Long falls Gunshots Violent sports injuries (tackles, etc. ) Combat injuries Note that all of the examples above will usually also give you other injuries like broken bones, scars, lacerations, and so on. If you are aiming for authenticity, be aware of this.
Wear a back brace or a spinal cast Stay off of your feet Wear compression stockings (special socks designed to keep blood clots from forming in the legs for people who are bedridden) Imitate the nerve damage symptoms indicated above Take small doses of over-the-counter medications for pain and inflammation. Don’t take actual medical-grade painkillers, as these can have serious side effects if misused.
Wear a back brace or a spinal cast Stay off of your feet Wear compression stockings (special socks designed to keep blood clots from forming in the legs for people who are bedridden) Imitate the nerve damage symptoms indicated above Take small doses of over-the-counter medications for pain and inflammation. Don’t take actual medical-grade painkillers, as these can have serious side effects if misused.
