I have degenerative arthritis in my lower back and bursitits in my left hip; both conditions work together to make everything painful. The one thing that has helped me the most, aside from what others have already mentioned...is to mentally change my thinking. I know I can no longer create a quilt in a few days. Little messages about time not being an issue, not setting deadlines and just totally focusing on the joy of being able to quilt has become my new focus.