Discs are large cushions that lie between the individual vertebrae of our spinal columns.
Both situations can led to pressure or irritation of the vulnerable spinal nerve roots. This can lead to sciatica - an abnormal sensation felt anywhere from the buttocks to the feet. For more that 50 years, orthopedists have believed that most lower back pain and sciatica were caused by herniated discs. Bed rest is now known to cause prolonged pain, muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and depression. If bed rest failed, surgery was the usual next step.