How do you know if your neck pain is the result of a disc herniation? Your age can give you a clue. Intervertebral discs are hydrophillic, meaning it contains mostly water. The amount of water content peaks around mid 20's, and starts to decline after each decade. More water creates more movements, and the disc is more likely to move out of place, aka disc herniation. Therefore, younger people are actually more prone to a disc herniation. If you have Medicare, the chance of you having a disc herniation is not impossible, but slim.