 Low back pain is the most common cause of disability worldwide, and intervertebral disc degeneration is a major contributor to this condition. While several regenerative therapies have been developed to treat disc degeneration, none of them have yet been approved by regulatory bodies. To evaluate these therapies, various models have been used, ranging from simple in vitro experiments to complex animal models. The models differ in terms of their complexity, cost, and ethical considerations, and each has its own advantages and drawbacks. This review discusses the key characteristics of each model, such as biomechanical similarity to the human spine, feedback and output measurements, and cost and time requirements. Ultimately, the best model will depend on the specific needs of the researcher and the type of therapy being evaluated. This article was authored by Daniela Lazaro Pacheco, Mina Moseni, Samuel Rudd, and others.