I also have the same problem. Ended up picking up a pair of Audiotechnica Ath-anc 9b over ear. Just as good as Bose and half the price. I also quit my job and left the noisy startup I was working at!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26937454[^] Just because you do plenty of exercise, don't think that compensates completely for sitting 8 hours a day! It does help of course, but you need to get up, take a walk. Work standing some of the time, and sitting at other times. Change things around a bit. A bad back is pretty minor compared to some of the things you can get by sitting all day... like SO many of us do!