I have had lower back pain due to favoring one hip to carry a child on for almost eight years. I usually do okay but maybe four times in the past 8 years I have gotten rather acute pain, and once I couldn't walk up and down stairs without horrible pain.
I got a package of peas and did ice twenty minutes on twenty minutes off during waking hours. The peas conform to the shape of your back better. My chiro said cool instead of heat like MD's say, because you may wel have an inflammed muscle and you need to get the swelling down to be able to encourage movement in the muscle, and when you get adjusted it allows more movement. He also said to try to just move normally.
I also went to a chiropractor during bouts with it- get a recommendation, becaue you want a chiropractor people are happy with. The pain was gone in each instance inside of a week, and usually in two days.
I love chiropractors, it feels so great to get adjusted not only on your back, but even your hands, feet, legs arms etc.. You have no idea how badly you need it until it is done! If I could afford it, I would go every month!