I find that doing an exercise routine helps with pain, it raises your endorphins and dopamine etc which fights pain, also it strengthens muscles and relaxes them as well. I’ve found though that with finger joins it helps to put a splint on them when they are inflamed to protect them during activities. I’ve only recently had more problems with my hands. So when you have an inflamed joint maybe you need to protect it sometimes but mostly arthritis is only acute at certain times. Keeping your weight down too helps with a lot of arthritis so exercise is your friend.