Yes, but, the alternative is popping over the counter pain meds long term, which don't do your stomach or Liver much good. Consider also SAM-e, S-adenosylmethionine, by "NATURE MADE". It has also helped in conjunction with the Glucosamine. It also helps with mood and joint comfort. It tends to work sooner, but, it was something my wife recommended when I went into one of my mood tailspins. Of course a better mood can help with pain tolerance.
Also look into specific exercises that you can do to stengthen your back, nothing strenous or high impact. A good physical therapist can recommend those. Walking is good, swimming is excellent (that is if you have access to an indoor pool.). That can help with chronic pain. I also invested in a good heating pad for those days when I feel really stiff and achy. Put on some good tunes, a nice glass of your favorite beverage, and a good half hour or even 20 minutes can be helpful.
This may also sound "New Agey", but consider also classes in Yoga or Tai Chi, for gentle workouts and stretching.
The fact is, all this stiffness and "rheumatism" is par for the course as we're getting older, but, at least we have a lot more alternatives then our parents and grandparents did.
Thanks, Ozy. Good advice, overall!
I do try to avoid OTC daily doses. I have been seeing Glucosamine around for years and even done some research already. I have yet to look into SAM-e, though. I will certainly give them a closer look.
I have actually had some decent care for my "old, old" back injury and I generally keep up quite a regimen of stretching and light exercises, specifically recommended for my lower back difficulties.
I may be a little "New Age-ish" myself. I have tried to do some Yoga, and I have worked a few stretches into my routine, but I can only manage the most elementary positions, mainly due to overall inflexibility in all my joints. I took yoga classes years ago and I was called a testosterone pit from being so stiff. 
I also do some Tai Chi, every single day, but I could always do more, if I had the guts. I really can't imagine where I would be now, if I had not started Tai Chi about twenty years ago. What I really need is larger blocks of time these days to be able to reach my goals more often, undisturbed. Right now, with this hip thing, I can't do about half of my moves in the proper form. 
Hell, before my hip dislocated, I could still sidekick above my head. Pretty fucking good for a fifty two year old, but now I'm just gimpy.
The doc told me today to put heat on my hip. They did an old fashioned X-ray on me, four of them, and I will have to wait for results until tomorrow. They actually did one with my thigh against my chest, tied with a two straps and under pressure. I could barely breathe! They also did one with my leg bent and laid off to the outside as far as it would go, before I felt like screaming.
I thought hip joints were fairly simple things, but I guess not.
The biggest muscle mass is the Gluteal or ass muscles and thats where your hip muscles and joints are buried, of course there's those massive attachments to the back and abdominal muscles. Believe it or not the key to a healthy back is strong abdominal muscles. Simple..........guess again!
Don't feel bad, I'm in the same boat. OUCH
