Chronic diseases such as arthritis and related conditions have no ‘cure’, and thus require ongoing management. The long term nature of chronic disease gives the individual a crucial role, if not the most crucial role, in managing their condition. Day-to-day self-management is extremely important in achieving optimal health outcomes, and indeed, people with arthritis use a variety of strategies to relieve symptoms or manage disease consequences.This review identifies and discusses 6 different domains of arthritis self-management behaviors:medical management;joint protection strategies;physical activity and exercise;topical applications;complementary and alternative strategies; andstress and mind/body practices.Conceptualizing arthritis self-management in this manner enables a discussion of a range of practices that may be used to manage arthritis conditions.The literature on several established arthritis self-management programs that are designed to improve either self-care and/or exercise behaviors is also reviewed. Despite evidence of cost containment and improved health outcomes, these programs reach only a small percentage of people with arthritis who may benefit from them.Clinical intervention for people with arthritis may be enhanced if self-management is approached from a broad perspective and, if established, self-management programs are integrated into clinical interventions.