Hey, Jimbo, I've got some serious lower back issues ,too,complete with a lot of arthritus. Running cold water on my lower back at the end of my shower really helps alot temporarily...seems it reduces the inflamtion and gives some much needed relief from that bulged disc pushing on the nerve. Standing in the shower with the cold water pounding on the small of my back often allows me to straighten up and re-establish reasonably normal back geomitry. I'm no doctor.  I've been to Mayo Clinic with this back pain issue and gone through a good amount of therapy. Acceptance of the way your back has come to be and proper exercize and stretching are all you can really do. Propper nutrition has to be a component,but maintaining the "core" strenghth to carry your upper body(and the "loads" you put on it) seems to be the only real solution. Excessive ibuprofen use worked until I ate a hole in my gut. A couple of shots and beers can do the trick,but care must be taken there ,too. Long walks (a couple of miles),on smooth-trip free surfaces,where you can use proper body mechanics, helps me loosen cramped up back muscles and get back to a healthy upright position/posture.    I,ve only had gout (an arthritus form) once,but cherry juice cleared it up by the next day. I guess something in it breaks down the uric acid crystels in the swollen joint...there's probably some similar anti inflamitory action happening with other joint swelling. Excessive stresses no doubt set up reactive responces in the body that can be helped nutritionaly,but it seems to me that back alignment would be mostly  a structural deal. Keep in mind that pain is only an indicator light on the dash board.   ...maintanence may be required more frequently on high mileage vehicles. Not too many people I've met were at all happy with surgery, and be aware that that has become an industry.  ...best of luck.