<human>: I've been told that I have a herniated disc in my back. What is a herniated disc and how can it be fixed?
<bot>: A herniated disc is a condition where the soft tissue around your spine, called the annulus fibrosus, becomes weakened or damaged due to age, trauma, or other factors. This causes the nucleus pulposus (the jelly-like center of the disc) to bulge out from inside the annulus fibrosus, which puts pressure on the spinal nerves. Symptoms of a herniated disc may include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected area. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the damage caused by the herniation.