The intervertebral discs are a kind of cushion that are found between the vertebrae of the spine in its entirety. These, due to different degenerative, traumatic processes or congenital diseases, can bulge and break. When one of these cushions ruptures, the jelly-like substance (nucleus) it contains leaks out and irritates nearby nerves. That is the phenomenon we know as herniated disc.
This situation can cause pain in the arms and legs, numbness and tingling, and weakness when walking or lifting and holding objects.