A herniated lumbar disc causes pain in two areas, the first in the lower back and the second in the lower extremities. The reason why a herniated disc causes pain in the lower back is that the herniated disc presses the dural sac and spinal cord in the back, which can stimulate the sinus nerve in the lower back. Once the sinus vertebral nerve is stimulated, it will cause pain in the lower back. The main reason for lower extremity pain after a lumbar disc herniation is that the herniated disc presses the nerve root laterally and posteriorly, which causes sciatica. A herniated lumbar disc in a higher position also causes pain in the hip joint as well as in the anterior and lateral thighs.