As we get older, repetitive motion, arthritis, injuries and weakening muscular structure can all contribute to achy joints and muscles. I am no doctor, but speaking from my personal experience, getting to the gym is often a great way to combat some of this pain (of course, never begin an exercise program without first seeing your doctor).
Intuitively, working out when you hurt doesn't make sense. I know. But I have found, 
that for certain pain, NOT working out is much worse.
Case in point: I have very weak shoulders. Several years back, I was suffering from major shoulder pain. It got bad enough that it was waking me up at night and making it tough to sleep (side-sleeper). Coincidentally, I signed up for a group personal training class around this time. After a couple of sessions, I noticed my shoulder pain was significantly reduced. As I continued with the classes, it went away altogether. For the past two weeks, I have not been able to get to my personal training and guess what? The pain is starting to return. I lifted some weights at home yesterday, and did some push-ups, and my shoulders feel much, much better today.
Just in case you want to know about my weak knees, too, I have much the same situation with my knees that I do with my shoulders. I have always had bad knees and have always been a runner. I find that the less I run, the worse my knees feel. I attribute this to running/walking strengthening the muscles around my knee caps. Doing wall-sits helps, too (sitting against a wall in a chair position and holding for 1-2 minutes). Just like my shoulders, my knees feel worse when I skip my workouts!
Again, I have no medical background (and, as I said earlier, you should never begin an exercise program without consulting your doctor), but I believe that just like any other system (car, plumbing, electric, etc.), all of the parts must be in good working order to provide support and interact effectively with the other parts. It makes sense that strengthing the muscles around weak joints would help the joints work with less pain. Additionally, if a muscle is forced to do all the work without the support of the muscles around it makes sense that it would get sore from overuse, doesn't it?
As time goes on, I am less interested in the 'quick fix' provided by over-the-counter medications and am trying to find ways to prevent, or heal, injuries and ailments without unnecessary medicine. For some sore muscles and achy joints, weight lifting and exercise can help me to by-pass the medicine cabinet--and feel great, too!
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