Tony, sorry to hear the arthritis has gotten so bad. I have a lot of problems, but nothing that I think will get me into a wheel chair. (last Aril I was in a motel on Amelia Island, florida. I had just got over a two month hiatis from exerise because of an elbow operation. I played a round of golf and the next morning I had to take a wheel chair to my car.)
The elbow operation came about because of a treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis that had caused a minor staf infection to to really bad.
I decided to try acucupuncture to combat the arthritis in the lower back, which had caused the problem I had at Amelia Island. I needed some type of relief so that I could get back to my exercises that I had done for many years to control back problems. Accupuncture did the trick. I do not claim that it cured the problem, but it did give me sufficient relief that I was able to get back to a more normal life. Normal life includes specific exercises that build my core strength in the back and abdominal muscles.
I still hurt when I get out of bed in the morning. Some mornings more than others. However, after a short time I get around much better. My recliner is like a pill to me. If I am hurting I can sit in it for 10 to 15 minutes and feel much better.
And yes, I take the several of the advertised arthritis remedies and have tried many more.
My message, exercise in the end is the most promising help with back pain. And, accupuncture, for many people, proviedd relief that enables you to continue with normal activities.
Good luck, and I hope you find something that keeps you out of the wheel chair.
George