It is unclear whether the general public living in the community in Japan seek educational content and biopsychosocial approaches from physical therapists for the acquisition of self-management strategies for low back pain (LBP) as in other developed physical therapy countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate, using semi-structured interviews, general population demands of physical therapists for LBP and self-management strategies for controlling LBP. Thematic analysis based on the data of 19 participants proposed the following five themes as general population demands of physical therapists: social perspectives, biophysical perspectives, treatment proposal, selection of physical therapy modalities, and collaboration with a medical doctor. Thematic analysis identified three themes for self-management strategies: passive treatment continuation behavior, health-directed behavior, and self-monitoring and insight. Even in Japan, it is possible that there is demand among the general population for LBP prevention strategies through educational and biopsychosocial approaches to LBP.
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