Which course should I take?

I don't know much about Yoga or Pilates, but I do know that swimming will be a major benefit for your back. Swimming is a very efficient and healthy way to strengthen your back muscle and your body core as well. Keep it going.

I am so sorry you have been suffering from back pain for so long.  I have had to have surgery on my spine twice -- 11 years apart.  I have also had full body traction and cortisone injections in the spine in an effort to avoid full-blown surgery.  The procedures were different and the course of treatment very different.  If you can work through your back pain with exercise I highly recommend it.  I recommend a hot shower or steam every morning, followed by stretching exercises to loosen the muscles in your back.  You can also take an anti-inflammatory like naproxin (alleve) top help loosen the muscles.  I think the exercises that help will depend on where in your back the pain is located.  Try Dr. Root's book, No More Aching Back.  It includes postures to prevent back pain, and exercises to help stregthen and stretch the back. There is also another book that I know a lot of people believe in by Dr. Jonathan Sarnow about emotional causes of back pain, like stress. (Didn't help me, though)

 As for other forms of exercise, swimming is a great low-impact aerobic activity that helps build strength.  If you do yoga, make sure to let the instructor know you have back pain, as yoga could aggravate your problem.  Pilates is supposed to help strengthen your core muscles, which is cristical to back health.  I've never done it, so again, I would check with the instructor first. Walking is also god, but make sure you watch your posture and hold your tummy tight to support your back.

Good luck and feel better!

I can't really say much that the other people who posted have already said.  From what I know, swimming releaves stress off of the body b/c it takes weight off of you.  So swimming definetely will help. As for yoga, there are several different styles and types, you'd have to find out which one will be beneficial to you to help your back, and as the previous poster mentioned, you should let your instructor know about it.  To help with your research about what yoga class to attend, you could search on line or put up another post. Best of luck.

~Steven

Yoga is the ancient art of staying fit physically as well as mentally. All the different kinds of yoga have one common factor, which is the way you breathe. Breathing is important in yoga. The following are wonderful yoga resources.
The Magic Of Finger Yoga
Complete Guide To Yogic Techniques For Happiness And Good Health
Yofa Healing Method Based On Yoga Meditation And Law Of Attraction
The 7 Minute Yoga Program For Stress Relief