{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,24]],"date-time":"2026-10-24T00:30:51Z","timestamp":1792801851122,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,10]],"date-time":"2025-01-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1736467200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, often driven by distinct pain mechanisms: nociceptive, neuropathic, and central sensitization. Accurate classification of these mechanisms is critical for guiding effective, targeted treatments. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science. Eligible studies included adults with LBP and focused on clinical criteria for classifying pain mechanisms. Data on study methods, population characteristics, and outcomes were extracted and synthesized. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Nociceptive pain was characterized by localized symptoms proportional to mechanical triggers, with no neurological signs. Neuropathic pain was associated with burning sensations, dysaesthesia, and a positive neurodynamic straight leg raise (SLR) test. Central sensitization featured widespread pain, hyperalgesia, and disproportionate symptoms. Tools such as painDETECT, DN4, and the Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI) were validated for neuropathic and central sensitization pain. Central sensitization and neuropathic pain were linked to greater disability and psychological distress compared to nociceptive pain. Conclusions: This review aims to provide a historical perspective on pain mechanism classifications and to explore how previous frameworks have influenced current diagnostic concepts in physiotherapy practice. By synthesizing key clinical criteria used to differentiate between nociceptive, neuropathic, and central sensitization pain, this review proposes a practical framework to improve the accuracy of pain classification in clinical settings.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14020412","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,10]],"date-time":"2025-01-10T06:25:54Z","timestamp":1736490354000},"page":"412","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":23,"title":["Classifying Low Back Pain Through Pain Mechanisms: A Scoping Review for Physiotherapy Practice"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9037-4767","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Roberto","family":"Tedeschi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Federica","family":"Giorgi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, 40121 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Daniela","family":"Platano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy"},{"name":"Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lisa","family":"Berti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy"},{"name":"Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100518","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjpt.2023.100518","article-title":"Nociplastic Pain and Central Sensitization in Patients with Chronic Pain Conditions: A Terminology Update for Clinicians","volume":"27","author":"Nijs","year":"2023","journal-title":"Braz. 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