There's no easy answer for back/neck pain.

I will tell you that yoga/pilates/other non-ballistic, moderate resistance exercise that targets stabiliser muscles helps many people.

I would avoid surgery at all costs unless you have cord compression, a focal lesion or a fracture.

I'd be very wary of chiropractors - I've seen several patients with vertebral artery dissections (with incapacitating brain stem strokes!) because of neck manipulation. Of course, I have a selection bias but even a small risk for this seams like too much.