However, sometimes pain can be the cause of an underlying condition, such as a herniated disc. Herniated discs occur when the jelly-like nucleus protrudes from an intervertebral disc. This happens when the cell wall of the disc is not strong enough to keep the nucleus secure, therefore allowing it to push through the outer ring and begin to bulge. A herniated disc can develop anywhere along the spine; however, they are most common in the lower back.
