Of course, I don't know what kind of back problems you have, but I have had serious ones myself. I have herniated discs in all three of my lower vertebrae. I have been relatively pain free without surgery using the following:
1. The McKenzie exercises (easy to find on google, if interested)
2. An inversion board.
3. The Spine-X physical therapy program.
In any case, will pray for you and your wife, kc.