A disc bulge occurs when the soft tissue inside the disc pushes through its outer layer, often causing nerve irritation. People with disc bulges typically experience pain when their spine is in a flexed position, and finding relief can be challenging.
On the other hand, stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spaces within your spine, causes nerve compression. Unlike disc bulges, people with stenosis often feel better when they lean forward or sit down, as this opens up the spinal canal and reduces pressure on the nerves.