MYTH: Exercise is bad for arthritis and aggravates the pain.

FACT: Moving the joints — while it may be painful at first — will actually help minimize pain. There are specific exercises that will build muscle strength surrounding the joints, increase flexibility and help minimize pain. Talk to your physician about the most appropriate exercises for you.

MYTH: I'm overweight and need to lose 30 pounds to lessen the pain.

FACT: Even losing five pounds can help alleviate osteoarthritis pain. Every extra pound you carry around translates to added stress on your knees and hips. Excess weight can mean more pain, no matter which form of arthritis you have.

MYTH: I just have to live with the pain.

FACT: Acetaminophen (the ingredient in Tylenol), when used as directed, is recommended as a first-line drug therapy for the minor aches and pains of arthritis, according to the American College of Rheumatology. In addition, acetaminophen doesn't irritate the stomach the way nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen can. Talk to your doctor about which pain medicine is right for you.

MYTH: I can wear high heels whenever I want.

FACT: Unless you are a fashion model, chances are you can do without high heels. Experts say a three-inch heel stresses your foot seven times more than a one-inch heel. Heels put extra stress on your knees and may increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

MYTH: Cold, rainy weather aggravates arthritis.

FACT: Contrary to popular belief, external weather conditions do not significantly influence the day-to-day symptoms of arthritis.

MYTH: Smoking has nothing to do with arthritis.

FACT: Yes it does. Smoking can increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and its complications, as well as predispose you to osteoporosis. And if you have to undergo joint surgery, smoking can prolong your recovery.

MYTH: You can get arthritis by cracking your knuckles or getting your back cracked.

FACT: Not true. The sound of cracking is the release of air pressure in the joints. Cracking knuckles will not lead to arthritis.

MYTH: I shouldn't worry about what purse I carry.

FACT: Wrong. Protect the smaller, more fragile joints in your fingers and wrists by using larger ones that withstand mechanical forces more readily. For example, instead of carrying a purse in your hand, put it over your shoulder.

MYTH: Men don't get arthritis.

FACT: Not true. While 41 million women suffer from arthritis, it also affects 28.9 million men.

Sources: Dr. David H. Baras, Rehabilitation Department of Family Medicine, University of South Florida School of Medicine; The American College of Rheumatology