Neck hernia
The tissue between the bones in your neck is called intervertebral discs. The discs consist of a soft gel-like center and a hard outer coating.
The intervertebral disc forms a joint between each of the bones in the spine that allows them to move. When the outer covering surrounding the disc ruptures, the soft center can protrude through the opening, causing a herniation.
As we age, the discs in our spine can lose their flexibility and elasticity. The ligaments surrounding the discs become brittle and tear more easily. When a herniated disc forms, it can press on nearby spinal nerves (radiculopathy) or spinal cord (myelopathy), causing painful symptoms.