Bulging discs are simply an indication of mild degenerative disc disease. The wall will bulge out if there is some weakness in this back wall of the disc-normally from an annular tear. There may be lower back or neck pain associated with this bulge but many patients have no symptoms from this disorder.
If the disc does not compress the nearby nerve root, it is highly unlikely that this bulge will cause any nerve pain (arm or leg pain). The “grinding feeling” is typically associated with degenerative changes in the facets. The “grinding feeling” will not originate from the disc.
Degenerative discs can cause back or neck pain as they contain nociceptors (pain fibers).
Dr. Corenman