The Fiskar's spring loaded scissors take a lot of pressure off your hands. I have arthritis that affects my right hand so cutting can cause a flair. They come in large and small and I love them.
Sue

I have a neck and shoulder injury from 2 car accidents within 2 weeks of each other about 18 years ago. Sometimes its tolerable and sometimes it isn't. On the days its tolerable I quilt and sew, on the days it isn't I don't. It isn't a matter of will I hurt today, I hurt every day; its a matter of how much I hurt today and is it manageable.

I use most of the things already mentioned on here and am always on the lookout for things to do or things to use to make quilting easier for me and others.

Thank you so much for starting this thread and I look forward to sharing with you when I can.

delma

I have real problems with the joints in my thumbs. I don't have compression gloves, but I do have a pair of gardening gloves that are sticky and they fit real snug. I use them when I am quilting and they really help my hands and they hold onto the quilt so I don't have problems.

As far as scissors --- I have to switch frequently between the spring loaded and non-spring loaded ones since using either one for any length of time cause a lot of pain in my thumb joints.

When I piece or rotary cut I wear something called a soft splint that supports my thumb, wraps around my hand and leaves my fingers and the tip of my thumb free.

I use the ergonomic Olfa cutter -- it does not hit the thumb joint the way the bent one does and I can use it longer.

I've had two back surgeries: One on lower back and another in the cervical region. I have pain in the front thigh, lower back and pelvic area, and right neck and shoulder. The front part of both feet are numb and my legs cramp if I'm not up and moving. I'm on pain meds that help, but my right shoulder still really bothers me. I've learned that pressure points can really help. I use firm pressure on the fold of my elbow for about 70 sec. and it relieves the pain significantly. It's free and fast, so hope it will help someone else.

More good ideas. I do the same as a couple of you mentioned about not thinking about getting a project done in a day or certain time. I have learned, that I can't know one day from the next, and that is also where the change in attitude that others mentioned comes in. Attitude is everything. Oh, and yes with me too I hurt everyday, but how much is the wait and see game. Even though we hurt, if you are like me, quilting or sewing is mental therapy, and so satisfying. I believe the more we are involved in something like this to keep our stress down the better long term we will be. The one who said your applique isn't what it use to be, that is ok as long as it's enjoyable to you. Besides, nothing I do is like it use to be.:D The only contest I am out to win is being happy in the moment day by day.

I also have fibromyagia, arthritis, COPD, 2 knee replacements and one hip replacement. Here are some things I do.
1. Use my "grab it" to pick up things I drop. It has magnetic tip to pick up pins and needles also.
2. Lower the ironing board next to my sewing table so I can just turn and press rather than get up. It's also great to put a small cutting mat on if I have to cut something or trim or cut.
3. Have a regular cutting table so I don't break my back leaning over to do cutting on larger pieces.
4. I have a small 3 drawer clear plastic unit that sits on my sewing table in which I keep scissors, rotary cutter, measuring tape, pins, some plastic templates (flying geese, triangles, etc.) instructions that came with specialty rulers, seam rippers, and all other small tools I need for my quilting right at my fingertips.

The one thing most helpful to me is my GD who lays everything out on the floor and pins to make the sandwich...LOL. That's one thing I just cannot do...if I ever got down there I'd never get up. !!!

So three things that cme to mind:
1.Arrange your sewing area in a U shape so that you can get to your machine(s), ironing board and cutting area without having to get up from your chair. Make sure everything is height adjusted and use that timer to make yourself get up and walk or stretch but this way you are not constantly readjusting when doing your various quilting activities.
2. If you do FMQ, use the puddling method and rather than grip the fabric with your hands, use foam pipe insulation (I posted this trick a while back). You cut a piece about 12" long and take the fabric you would normally grip and slide it into the slit of the insulation. It is much easier to grab when you are manuvering your quilt under the harp.
3. For sandwiching quilts, buy an inexpensive folding table 72" long that you can put in a closet or against a wall. It is a bit narrow but it beats crawling around on the floor or clearing off your dining room table!

10 years ago I had surgery on my right hand for osteo-arthritis. It took a couple of years before my hand was back to "normal" after the surgery. My best advise is to not overuse your hand. Take breaks-often. Do hand exercises after using. I love the fiskar soft-touch scissors that have the spring in them. I mostly use the Olfa largest rotary cutter-that is easiest on my hand. Had a curved handle one, and for some reason, that was harder on my hand than the Olfa...could have been the hand position.

I have had Arthritus for some time. I was a sales rep and it was nothing to drive 2-300 miles a day. When I retired I wanted to quilt. I started working part time at a quilt shop to learn to quilt. Man, my hands sometimes hurt so bad because of all of the fabric we cut. But, really, days my back, feet and everything hurts.
I heard of a product called "Two Old Goats". I can put some on my hands, neck, knees etc and within 5 minutes the pain is gone. It is a natural product so I do not worry. I have even put it on my face for bad sinus headaches. There was a lady that comes to the shop for her old goats and she was getting ready for knee replacement and since she started using old goats she does not have to have it done at this time. The lady who makes this product suffers from arthritis and fibromyalgia. We do sell it through our website. Pocketful of Posey's,

Yup - we've got pain and problems, but these suggestions help.
My biggest pain is in my thumb joint. I have moved to a Sizzix Die Cutter and am using my rotary cutter less.
When I do need to rotary cut, a sharp blade is essential. I have tried every brand (I think), and the Martelli is the easiest on the thumb for me.
I also switch hand projects - from needle work (quilting, embroidery, applique) to knitting - every couple of hours or so.
I use ice-heat-ice (15 minutes in immediate rotation) as often as I can make myself do it. It seems to "trick" my metabolism. Learned this trick when I had a cervical fusion and a plate inserted to keep me upright...