Not a doctor. I'm 60 with documented back pain/issues for >30 yrs...be wary of the knife, it works for some, but more doctors counseled me against it than suggested it...including a specialist that sees and treats military parachutists on a regular basis. It takes some time..think about and chart your activities that seem to result in your pain, then avoid them for a period to see if you feel better overall...later alter how you do the things you want to do to avoid the back issues and exercise to strengthen your core. Examples I can control that have caused me pain: running with a lengthened stride causing muscle pulls and heel strikes, pushing too big a gear on my bike too long, bike fit (think seat height, seat position fore and aft, stem length), poor lifting angles--lifting objects too far forward of the line between my toes and chin, not using knees to lift, poorly designed chairs including poor car seats, straight leg sit ups, improperly fitted shoes, jumping from anything higher than my knees without thought to proper landing, and stretching before athletic activities (yeah, I know, but now I don't and I am seldom hurt). If your pain is persistent, it is not likely to be a quick fix, but neither is it impossible to manage.