Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age, affecting both the larger and the smaller joints of the body, including the hands, feet, back, hip or knee. Initially, the condition starts with minor pain while walking but soon the pain can be continuous and even occur at night.  Other forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases.

             Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder in which, for some unknown reason, the body's own immune system starts to attack body tissues. The attack is not only directed at the joint but to many other parts of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints in the fingers, wrists, knees and elbows. Regardless of the type of arthritis, the common symptoms for all arthritis disorders include varied levels of pain, swelling, joint stiffness and sometimes a constant ache around the joint.  

                 There is no cure for either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), orthopaedic bracing, Joint replacement surgery and medications including use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs but these drugs produce a no of significant side effects. Therefore there is a dire need of herbal alternative medicines for the treatment of arthritis.

                Fortunately Unani system of medicine offers a very successful treatment for arthritis which is totally based on holistic approach. In classical Unani literature Arthritis is termed as Wajual Muffasil and is considered as a humoral disease occurring due to the accumulation of morbid humours inside the joint and its surrounding tissue causing pain and swelling to the joint. The management of Wajual Muffasil is aimed at the alteration or removal of the morbid humours from the body which is the actual cause for the genesis of Wajual Muffasil. The overall management includes use of Munzij wa Mushil therapy, local and oral application of Mussakinat and Muhalille warm advia along with various regimes of Regimental therapy like leeching, cupping, massage, exercise etc.