visible inflammation?

Have you tried applying heat? Maybe an epsom salt bath would help.

hmmm, tough one. Could be a bulging disc? Any pain down your leg or in your heels? (I had a bulging disc with referred pain in my heal)
Ice might help - but a physiotherapist might help even more (or the doc). Sorry, no real answers - but sorry to hear you are in pain!

You might google some back stretching exercises and see if that helps. Do you have an exercise ball? I lay on mine and stretch my arms and legs straight and have the ball under my lower back and it helps a lot. There are a lot of other ways to stretch your back. You could just google back stretches. (though I know you already do stretching, so you may be doing this already!) Also, try sleeping with a pillow between your legs, or under your knees if you sleep on your back. It helps put less pressure on your back.

I hope it starts feeling better. I'm so jealous of the massage, I haven't had one in a long time. Enjoy!

Hi ivy6
I just found out I have spondyloarthritis of the spine and the sacroiliac joints caused by crohns disease. For years My back has had painful flare-ups I thought was overdoers back ache. Now I find out my lower spine and sacroiliac joints are fusing together due to chronic inflamation. There was always tender to touch spots on my lower back even when my back wasnt hurting. Please go to a reumatologist and get it checked. I waited too long and now have perminant damage. Crohns doesnt only affect the bowels but can cause damage to many parts of the body including eyes, bones, joints, liver and skin. Also if its bright red and hot or burning feeling it could be an infection of some sort. Maybe you should call the Doc. Hope you feel better soon.