I haven't read this whole thread but had back pain from say my teens on and off. When I got in my 30's, I finally went to a chiro. My spine is fused to my hip on the left, I have an extra Sacral vertebrae and they are wider than normal. My hips get out of alignment in two different ways, mostly AC joint issues. I'm 52 now and the last say 10 years my back has felt better than my entire life. Always have worked out, strong core, not overweight, have abs. Number one thing has been getting strong in DL and squat, rolling back on a medicine ball, and occasionally doing this thing with pushing in on a yoga block with my knees and out with a jump rope around my knees. Rip and others talk about getting strong in DL helps back pain, and it has really helped me.