Ice is generally best for things that are new or acute. So, if you are having new-onset low back pain, you may want to consider using some ice. Things that are due to inflammation, ice is going to help that inflammatory process a little bit.
If your low back pain is due to some sort of trauma, ice is going to be helpful for you. When you hurt yourself, your body has mechanisms to help protect itself. Sending a bunch of fluid to an area is one way of protecting an injured body part, but that inflammation can be painful. Ice can help get the inflammation down. The cycle of putting ice on and removing it will allow the fluids coming to the injury site to do their work.
A word of caution: ice can be really helpful, but do not leave it on longer than 20 minutes. Inflammation is an important part of the recovery and healing process your body is going through.
Not having an acute episode of back pain? You might want to consider heat instead.
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