Discs act as shock absorbers in the spine between the vertebral bodies and provide mobility in the spine. They can bulge or herniate as part of the normal aging process or sometimes from a traumatic event. This can cause nerve compression resulting in both back or neck pain and radiculopathy or sciatica. Treatments are as described above including medications, therapy, spinal injections and when necessary, spinal decompression surgery with or without fusion depending on the situation.