A question I've been asked a few times in our Scottsdale chiropractic office that I'm sure more are wondering. First let me describe what a disk is. A disk is like a jelly doughnut that fits perfectly in between your vertebrae. The outer-skin is made of cartilage and the inside is a liquid pulpy center. A bulging disk means that the disk sticks out a little past the vertebrae. It's considered a normal part of aging and can be seen on MRI's without any pain. A herniated disk means there is a crack in the cartilage and some of the liquid has leaked out of the disk. This is also called a ruptured or slipped disk.