I went down with what I eventually discovered was ankylosing spondylitis (AS) when I was 18, or therabouts. I'm now 78.
Diagnosis was confirmed when I was 38, and I was put on mefenamic acid/ponstan (an NSAID – Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug) for pain relief. Ultimately, the drug, although good at pain relief, affected my stomach so I'm now on lansoprazole for, I think, acid reduction, and no more NSAID's. Fortunately, after about 40 years of intermittent pain, stiffness & sciatica, the AS "burnt" itself out and no more pain, just a permanent stoop.
One thing I did discover was that hot baths seem to help, and sleeping on my own in a single bed with sheets & blankets tucked in, ie like a sleeping bag, is also helpful. I can only assume that in both instances any coldness is being dissipated before it gets to my lower back.
About 6 weeks ago, I fell off my pedal cycle! (Stop sniggering at the the back there.) Fortunately onto grass, but even so had a tremendous amount of pain. Plenty of paracetamol, and after a week ot two I was able to move around, and do some things albeit with some pain and some stiffness. Yesterday, and this morning I have been pushing my Flymo up and down the back garden. Yes, I'm still somewhat cream crackered, but it's more soreness than anything else. But, the really interesting thing was that the exercise that I have done in recent days does appear to be beneficial.
Peter G. Shaw