A disc herniation occurs when a portion of the intervertebral disc material bulges and 'sticks out' into the neural canal. This can produce pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots and cause pain, numbness, or tingling into the arm or leg. This is very rarely a surgical condition and usually responds with non-surgical treatment. This is also often referred to as a 'slipped disc' and is much different that a ruptured disc fragment, which can somtimes lead to surgery.