Originally Posted by chephy

Ask your doctor. Nobody on here is qualified to answer your question, not even doctors who read BF, because they haven't examined you and don't know you what exactly is wrong with your back. Depending on your exact problem, riding might not impact it at all, or make it considerably better, or considerably worse.

I don't think you're thinking very rationally here. How is ANY of this safety equipment going to protect your back and neck? It simply can't. This is not to say that you shouldn't ride (anybody can be seriously injured while riding; it's a risk you accept when getting on a bike, just like with any other activities), but simply pointing out that you're not decreasing risk of spinal injury by wearing gloves and a helmet.