Optimizing Management of Low Back Pain Through the Pain and Disability Drivers Management Model

The Low Back Pain and Disability Drivers Management (PDDM) model aims to identify the domains influencing pain and disability to guide clinical decisions. The model is composed of five domains upon which the clinician can base his assessment and orientate treatment allocation and includes: 1) nociceptive pain drivers (i.e., somatic, inflammatory or mixed pain), 2) nervous system dysfunction (NSD) drivers (i.e., sensitization of the peripheral and/or central nervous system), 3) comorbidity drivers (i.e., physical and/or mental health comorbidities), 4) cognitive-emotional drivers (i.e., maladaptive cognitions and/or behaviors) and 5) contextual drivers (i.e., occupational-related and social environmental contextual drivers). This profiling will inform and lead the clinician's treatment approach based on the combined contribution of each domain driving the experience of pain and disability.