Sciatica is a general term used to describe lower back pain and hip pain that radiates down the back of the thigh and into the leg. It is also alternatively described as nerve root pain, sciatic neuritis, sciatic neuralgia or radicular pain. Sciatica is a common problem that affects a lot of people. A herniated lumbar disk that compromises a nerve root, mostly the L5 or S1 nerve root, gives rise to sciatica.

Most sciatica episodes resolve with conservative management. These conservative measures might include bed rest along with pain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. There are invasive procedures like epidural steroid injections for cases that cannot be or are not adequately managed by conservative management. Other invasive procedures include discectomy/microdiscectomy.

There are also other alternative treatments available for sciatica like massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture, etc.