Laid up with severe back pain from injury combined with arthritis, it took several months to get a program going that fits my needs. This involved getting the right anti-inflamatory and narcotic pills to control the pain- the first step. An MRI was taken, and other tests to see just where the problems were. Next was physiotherapy and selection of proper exercises that would help, and NOT contribute to the problem. The exercise should be gradual, and as Mudlark and others suggest, don't overdo it- that will make you want to stop, and, as I said above, could be as damaging as not exercizing at all. A pain therapist evaluated the program and checked on my progress. Very important is proper evluation of the condition.
I can get around fairly well now. The exercises help strengthen muscles around the back and in my legs, and helped the gradual healing of a disc-pinched nerve pain that was part of the injury. I no longer need the narcotic (they all have side effects) which is good. Gradually, less of the anti-inflamatory is required, now I can skip days without taking it. I am able to take walks again, and am learning what I can do and cannot do.
The arthritis and osteoporosis can be checked, but not eliminated.
Again, Mudlark has the attitude I am trying to develop.