Chronic back pain really sucks! I have 5 discs in my back that are fractured and also arthritis and muscle spasms. It is a good idea to do physical therapy, because if you don't strengthen your core muscles to take the pressure off of your vertebrae, the pain will never decrease.

Swimming really helped me a lot, alone with back adjustments every 2 weeks.  I got to a point though, where the pain was so bad i had to start taking pain medication just to be able to function every day.

What kinda of pain are you having?? I have had back surgery and have a family full of back issues I agree with both posts however I would say go in  and see a Orthopedics Dr and have an MRI done, PT will help a lot but they have to know the real issue of the pain in order to make it better. 

I just had back surgery last month...I have the most awesome doctor ever...He had me do an MRI that is where you could see my problem.  I had a pinched nerve that was shotting pain down my legs...so much sooo that in may of this year I was walking down my stairs and my left leg went numb and I fell..spraining both of my ankles at the same time...talk about hard to walk. If you have something serious wrong you don't want someone at the physical therapy place or an accupunture place to touch you, it could cause me damage.  I go back next week to see Dr. to see if I can return to work but I would suggest asking your current doctor (or find a new one) and request an MRI. Good luck

As someone who is hoping to become a PT and who has gone through many PT sessions herself, I can definately say that PT will help.

Two years ago I sprained every muscle in my lower back and ended up in PT. I was in such severe that I could barely sit down.  After several sessions of PT, I started feeling better! One thing I can say is that if it is possible, try to get them to let you work with a balance ball.  I found this to really help. It still helps me when my back acts up.  You can stretch your back over it, but you can also strengthen the muscles that you need to help keep your back from hurting on the ball.

I have a question for you, do you sleep on your stomach? If so, this is HORRIBLE for you! I do it, and I know how bad is.  It is probably the cause of some of your back pain. One thing you can do is to buy a body pillow if you do indeed sleep on your stomach and put one leg on the top and one on the bottom and do the same with your arms. This will keep you tipped on your side instead of your stomach and keep your muscles relaxed at night instead of contracted like they are when you sleep on your stomach.

I hope this helps,

Brianna