I have to agree with rocknrollgirl. My husband and i have suffered from multiple back problems for years. I have heard on a constant basis the muscle building is the biggest help. I hate steroids and would avoid them like the plague. They will make you gain weight, disturb sleeping and can make you agressive. I took them for a rash once and it just about drove me insane. Never again!
I do muscle stuff for my neck and it has lessended my problems as well as my dh has done stuff for he's lower back and it has helped as well. Of coarse i am going through a numb arm at night thing right now.