I think it all depends on what kind of a bad back you have. Is it muscular, disk, stenosis?
Most of my back pain in muscular in nature, so I will take an nsaid like aleve, I'll do some hot/cold therapy and some gentle stretching exercises and that generally helps.
I think for disk or stenosis pain, you would probably need a stronger pain med for and I don't think any amount of exercise will help.
Hope you find something that gives you some relief.

sabby