I keep reading about doctors prescribingglucosaminefor arthritis. will this medication help my back pain?

Back pain: Its available otc. Your doctor does not have to prescribe it. It can be tried to see if its helpful.

Facet Arthropathy: You do have joints in the back called 'facet joints' that can become arthritic & cause pain. The pain patients generally complain of when they have arthritis in their spine is when they lean back & the pain increases. If you have this pain you could have 'facet arthropathy'. It's something that can be treated symptomatically first with cold/hot compresses, nsaids, activity modification & rest.