I've done the chiropractic thing and the physiotherapy angle as well. Chiropractic is very good for temporary relief of pain--it's almost like magic in that sense. But my feeling is that it doesn't help with the underlying issue, because most often back pain is muscular in origin, not skeletal--i.e. you have trunk muscles that are not pulling their weight, so to speak, and others that overtighten to compensate.
I'm a long-time back pain sufferer. My experience is this: start with heat, and then after 10 minutes, spend an hour or so (yes, an hour) stretching your lower back out, until you start to feel some relief from the pressure of the back pain. Then use cold afterward, which should bring you some pretty serious relief by numbing the whole area.
I'd also recommend an exercise regimen that focuses on core strength--yoga or pilates, maybe. Power yoga works great for me.
Of course, these things can last for years. It's not a lot of fun. (my back hurts right now, actually!)
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