With a bulging disc the material inside the disc remains and protrudes out but doesn’t break open from the anulus fibrosus. A herniated disc occurs when the material bulges from the disc and breaks open the anulus fibrosus of the disc and spreads out to the spinal cord and nerves causing possible impingement.

As far as your question goes "is there a possiblity that when i work out or get tense in the neck area, the bulge in my neck pushes the bone spur into my spinal cord to give me symtoms?" the answer is yes. Tightening of the muscles in your neck/shoulder can result in an increase in pressure at the cervical discs and exacerbate a discogenic syndrome.