If you or someone you know is affected by arthritis, you might feel overwhelmed. There are many online support groups that allow you to share arthritis information, support, concerns and experiences with care, treatment and more. But sometimes, it feels best to find support in person, whether you join a formal group or just talk over coffee with a friend.

Arthritis is actually an umbrella term that covers over 100 diseases that cause pain in body joints. It is most often known by its joint pain and swelling, but inflammation is not always the case. This disease can lead to serious health complications and affects people of all ages and genders.

Support groups offering arthritis information are organized by individual persons, as well as hospitals, charities, religious organizations and institutions. There are many way to locate them, including community information tables and bulletin boards, or you can ask your local American Chronic Pain Association or local Foundation, or check out communities in MySpace, Facebook, online forums or Meetup.

If you can't find a group in your region, you can form your own. Because over 40 million Americans are affected by this disease, there will likely be many other people who will appreciate your group. To make your gathering easy to find, create an online presence that makes it simple for other sufferers to find the locations, dates and times of your meetings. In addition, you can deliver flyers or place an advertisement in a newspaper.

Other face-to-face events include fundraisers, dinners, black-tie galas and walks such as Joints in Motion and the Jingle Bell Run/Walk.

If none of these options are possible, online arthritis information forums might be the best place for you. With these types of communities, you can share arthritis information with sufferers from all corners of the world, gain valuable insights and draw inspiration.