Multidisciplinary group therapies for low back pain patients have been devised for more than 30 years. Various models have been developed during this period, resulting in multiple programmes with varying effectiveness. Taking the opportunity of the establishment of a new programme at the Geneva University Hospitals, we reviewed these various models and listed the most prevailing elements in the literature. The summary presented here illustrates the hurdles in the treatment of low back pain patients. It underlines the numerous orientations available to the clinician and offers some indications for improving the treatment in these patients.