Dear Eagle3, I have had a Temperpedic for about 4 years now, and I love it! I too, have chronic back pain, with 3 fractures, spondalolesthesis [one vertebrae pushed up over another] and strong recommendations for back surgery. And I used to have other chronic aches and pains. Now, bed is the place I go to get rid of the back pain, and I have virtually no other aches and pains. YES, I would recommend it. Remember how, if you have to stay in bed for a long time, you eventually get sore where your body touched the bed. Not so with the temperpedic. The down side? Getting Out of it! It's a little hard getting the cover off and on for laundering, but with 2 people, you should be able to do it. If you are alone, may I recommend a twin size. These beds are heavier than most. Also, you must place a 3/4 inch piece of plywood the size of the mattress on your bedframe. If you don't have such a hard surface such as this, the company won't guarantee the mattress. Well, they'll tell you all that. I have heard tell that sleep# beds are competitive for comfort and support, but I can't vouch for that. My vote is for the Temperpedic. As you have gathered. Caring About Your Back ~ billieJ