I don't know anything about back problems, but having had experience in the past of physiotherapists who could do nothing for my knee / hip pain, but having then been sorted in one session - whilst duffed and on anticoagulants - by a lovely osteopath, I've become a big fan of the latter profession. He's now working on my husband's back issues (which start with his feet, it seems). The practice close to me did a free introductory session, where - although the osteopath didn't start treatment during this time - did allow me to discuss the problem and my situation without getting my chequebook out. I think that sometimes doctors are not sufficiently aware of health professions complementary to their own - and it's worth getting it from the horse's mouth, as it were.
Ych: relaxation CDs. I have some 'ambient' music from New World Music.
\link{http://www.newworldmusic.com/uk/}
They also have a shop in Neal's Yard in Covent Garden. I personally like the plinketty-plunk Oriental type music, with shamisen and bamboo flutes and the such like. Peanut starts kicking when I play it uterus-wards, but I'm not sure if this is praise or criticism.
Re: touching bump. Euch. My MIL did warn me people like to do that, but it hasn't happened thus far. I'm not a touchy-feely person at the best of times - and since I've been duffed, I've not liked to be touched at all (which is a bit unfortunate for my poor husband).