OBJECTIVES: : Both physical and acupuncture therapy are clinical choices available for low-back pain (LBP) patients. The study investigates under which condition LBP patients would choose either therapy, or both. METHODS: LBP patients, aged 18 years old and above, received semi-structured, face-to-face interviews in the rehabilitation department of a general hospital, in Guangdong Province, China. The patients were asked questions about their disease history, their perception of physical and acupuncture therapy, in terms of efficacy and risks, previous experience of receiving two therapies, medical expense, distance to medical facilities, others’ experience and finally, under which condition they would change to acupuncture. In addition, the patients were also encouraged to talk about other factors affecting their preference. RESULTS: 13 LBP patients participated in this study. Patients’ perception of efficacy and risk of therapies, previous experience, others’ recommendation (medical staff and friends), and hospital size are all considered as determinants of LBP patients' clinical choice in the interview. Among them, medical staff played a key role, particularly when patients had limited knowledge of the efficacy of acupuncture therapy. Previous negative experience of the patients or family members also led them to choose physical therapy instead. Although medical expense and distance are regarded as important determinants in patients’ choice in literature, in this study it is interesting to say they are not as important as literature suggests. Some patients indicated that they would like to receive acupuncture therapy, if they suffer low back pain longer and current therapeutic effect is not satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that most LBP patients who visit physical doctors do not have clear understanding of acupuncture therapy. On the other hand, the more recommendations from medical staff or friends, the more possible that LBP patients would prefer acupuncture therapy.