[Nonspecific low back pain : a new paradigm for better care]

Despite the frequency and societal impact of common low back pain, its exact pathophysiology remains poorly understood and the subject of much debate. A review of the literature shows the coexistence of three main models, none of which seems to withstand detailed analysis of the currently available data. This article describes the basis of an emerging model called "dysfunctional" (or "non-lesional" in the Anglo-Saxon literature), which considers spinal neuromuscular dysfunction as the main biological basis to be integrated into the biopsychosocial paradigm. By emphasizing the complex interplay of these different dimensions, this model opens up promising therapeutic prospects, fostering patient confidence and the adoption of long-term beneficial behaviors.