Sciatica refers to radiating pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve (usually coming from L4-5 or L5-S1 levels), branching from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. Pathologically, it is most frequently caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis that compresses or inflames the nerve roots in the lumbar spine. Management emphasizes conservative treatment, including physical therapy, stretching exercises, and over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs. For persistent or severe pain, advanced options like targeted injections or surgical decompression procedures (such as a microdiscectomy) are used to relieve nerve pressure.