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Most often, discs herniate because of injury or improper lifting, but aging also plays a role. As you get older, your discs dry out and become harder. The tough fibrous outer wall of the disc, or annulus, may weaken, and it may no longer be able to contain the gel-like substance in the center. This material may bulge or push out through a tear in the disc wall, causing pain when it touches a nerve. Genetics, smoking, and a number of occupational and recreational activities may lead to early disc degeneration. Who Is Affected? Herniated discs are most common in people in their 30’s and 40’s, although middle-aged and older people are slightly more at risk if they're involved in strenuous physical activity. Back pain affects 8 of 10 people at some time in their lives, and usually resolves within 6 weeks. Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common causes of lower back pain associated with leg pain, and occurs 15 times more often than cervical (neck) disc herniation. Disc herniation occurs 8% of the time in the cervical (neck) region and only 1 to 2% of the time in the upper-to-mid-back (thoracic) region.
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