Why is my herniated disc pain getting worse?
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because there is more pressure on the nerve. Can herniated discs get worse? An untreated herniated disk can get worse. That's especially true if you continue the activities that caused it — for instance, if it developed because of your work.