Objective: We investigated the current status of low back pain and measures that physical therapists can implement in practice.

Methods: We used e-Learning educational materials and questionnaires to investigate low back pain among 1,945 employees of a medical corporation. Results of our questionnaire were tabulated, and video distribution provided guidance on low back pain.

Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 85.5%; 45.1% of the employees reported working while they experienced back pain. We observed that >50% of the respondents desired instruction from rehabilitation staff for assistance with movements and exercises to prevent or reduce back pain. Approximately 80% of the viewers were able to understand the content of the educational videos.

Conclusion: In this study, >40% of all respondents had low back pain, and >50% of them sought assistance to cope with this issue. Video streaming is an effective means of teaching low back pain without the risks associated with physical activity at any time and place.

Purpose: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are defined as disorders of the musculoskeletal system that are attributable to work. The status of work-related low back pain among dental hygienists in real-world clinical settings remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among dental hygienists in Japan.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was mailed to dental hygienists engaged in their work. The questionnaire included the following items: work content, family environment, current physical and mental health status, low back pain and its nature, movements considered burdensome to the low back, and measures adopted to control low back pain.

Results: Low back pain was observed in 43.2% of dental hygienists and 76.3% experienced low back pain within the year preceding study enrollment. Age (odds ratio 1.057), not working in a dental office or hospital (odds ratio 3.534), and work-induced emotional exhaustion (odds ratio 1.544) were associated with current low back pain among dental hygienists.

Conclusion: The prevalence of low back pain among dental hygienists is associated with workplace, and work movement guidance and work-induced emotional exhaustion reduction are needed to prevent and treat low back pain.