A bulging disc in the neck occurs when a spinal disc weakens and encroaches on the spinal cord. This can cause pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, and back. Treatment can depend on how serious it is. Long-term trauma, such as poor posture or being overweight, can also cause a bulging disc in the neck.

A damaged disc, may bulge, pushing backwards into the spinal canal. The disc usually bulges toward one side of the canal (either right or left), which is why people with a bulging disc are likely to have pain and tingling on just one side of the body. A bulging disc in your neck may be relatively painless.

A herniated disc (also called "bulging" or "slipped disc") occurs when the outer shell ruptures and the nucleus leaks out. While minor cases may be asymptomatic or cause mild pain, a herniated disc can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the back, neck, limbs, or buttocks.

The condition typically is a result of the natural aging process, which causes the spinal discs to weaken and lose elasticity. Pressure from the surrounding vertebrae can cause a weakened disc in the cervical (upper) spine to bulge out of its normal position and potentially cause painful compression of spinal nerves.

When a cervical disc herniates, its soft inner material and inflammatory proteins start to leak into the protective outer layer and possibly into the spinal column. A herniated disc commonly causes a sharp or shock-like pain in the neck and/or arm by inflaming or compressing a nearby nerve root.