The pain from a herniated disc is typically worst while you are active and improves when you relax. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and leaning forward can all aggravate the pain. Because there is greater pressure on the nerve as you perform these motions, the discomfort worsens. Once the activity level decreases, so does the pain intensity. Herniated discs most often occur between the disks of your spine. These disks act like cushions that absorb the shock of movement at each joint in your body. When one or more of these disks deteriorates due to age or injury, it may collapse, which can cause pain signals to travel farther along the nerve root before reaching full strength. As a result, you may experience pain and weakness in your leg even if only one disk has collapsed. Herniated discs can also occur within a single disk of your spine. While this situation is less common, it can also cause severe pain and weakness. Within this disk, particles of bone or cartilage may be present that have been damaged by excessive stress or age. This material can rupture, allowing the gelatinous center of the disk to protrude out through a tear in the annulus fibrosus. Finally, a herniated disc may occur when a portion of the vertebrae collapses into the space previously occupied by the disc.