Don't forget, the more you use your fingers the longer you'll have them. Inactivity can cause arthritis to progress more rapidly depending on the type you have. Regardless, exercise helps, at least thats what my rheumatologist told me. Also, he advised me to eat a bit (in severe moderation) of dark chocolate each day. 1/2 ounce or less, it will help stay off arthritis and in my case will boost my meds, which don't work as well as they use to. When it hurts too much, stop, rest. You just have to find the right amount of usage for you to keep them moving, and not over do and cause a flairup.