URGENT: Help with severe lower back pain!

Can someone please provide specific instructions on how to perform cupping therapy? There is information online, but nothing detailed enough. What is used to ignite the cup? How long should the flame be held? Where exactly should they be placed on the body—I assume you wouldn't put them directly on the spine—and how many minutes should they remain in place?
I have also heard about using salt and vinegar, specifically heating salt and applying it to the lower back. Does anyone have experience with this?
I am dealing with inflammation, likely from a cold or some other ailment. A few days ago, my back seized up; I can barely sit down or stand up. I know my own body, and I know these flare-ups come in cycles—I might feel fine for six months or even a year before the stiffness returns again.

wearydriver50 said:Can anyone please tell me exactly how this hot cup therapy works? I’ve found some info online, but it’s incredibly vague. Like, what do you use to light the cup? How long does the flame stay lit? Where specifically do you place them on the body—I’m assuming you wouldn't put them directly on the spine—and how many minutes should they stay there?
I’ve also heard about using salt and vinegar, where you heat up salt and apply it to your lower back. Does anyone know anything about that?
I'm dealing with some inflammation, maybe from a cold or just something else entirely. A few days ago, my back completely seized up; sitting down or standing up is a total struggle right now. I know my own body, and I know these flare-ups can leave me feeling good for six months or even a year before hitting me again.

I’m not familiar with the hot cup method myself; I guess that’s one thing I haven't tried yet🙂.
But I can definitely talk about my own ongoing issues with my neck and spine (the pain was absolutely brutal) and how things are finally starting to look up. I just finished a month of physical therapy involving electrical stimulation and ultrasound, and honestly, nothing seemed to touch the pain😕. But then, just in the last few days, I’ve finally started feeling some relief, and I think I might actually be over the hump. My doctor put me on a regimen of Movalis (a 15mg NSAID) combined with Normabel (2mg muscle relaxers). Thank God, it feels like this might finally be the solution👍!

catch some bats, mix their tails with skunk sweat and some gunpowder

heat that whole mess up in a wooden bucket, wrap it all in palm leaves, strap it to your back, and then just go lie down head-first, facing north-to-south

or, I guess, you could just hit up a doctor instead

I tried that exact same approach and it didn't do a damn thing for me. I followed your instructions to the letter, too. Still nothing.