Your backbone is very important for giving your body structure and support, as well as for protecting the large bundle of nerves that make up your spinal cord.
If the spinal cord is pinched, depressed, or torn, it can cause serious pain, loss of movement, and even paralysis.
Thus, it is key for the spinal column to remain strong, which involves the help of cushioning pads called discs.
Should the discs bulge abnormally, it can cause severe pain and suffering.
This is called a herniated disc.
The backbone is made up of hard columnar pieces of bone, called vertebra, with cartilage discs in between them.
The discs have a tough outer layer, or annulus, and a softer core, similar to jelly, that is called the nucleus.
These discs act as shock absorbers for your spine.
Sometimes, the annulus can tear, allowing the nucleus to bulge through this slit.
If the jelly pushes into the inside of the spinal column, it can press up against the nerves of the spinal cord.
This can cause symptoms such as:

• Sciatica, or a radiating, aching pain
• Tingling or numbness
• Pain in a "line" of your body, such as chest to arm
• Weakness
• Pain that worsens when you cough or sneeze

To recover from a herniated disc, most people combine pain medication with rest and physical therapy.
Sometimes, you may need to undergo a microdiskectomy.
This involves opening up your back so that surgeons can trim away the leaking nucleus that is pressing on the nerves and causing pain.
While herniated discs are mostly the result of aging, they can be caused by a traumatic injuries to the spine, such as car accidents.