Concept of joint diseases from the purview of unani medicine

Abstract

Joint diseases in Unani System of Medicine are categorized under the broad term ‘Waja-ulMafasil’. This terminology is used for all types of arthritis. “Waja” means pain and “Mafasil” means joints in Arabic. Hence, Waja-ul-Mafasil means pain in joints. Ibn-e-Sina has used Waja-ul-Mafasil for pain, inflammation, accumulations, depositions and other joint disorders and he has further defined Waja-ul-Mafasil as ‘the pain in joints which includes Niqras (gout), Irqunnisa (sciatica) and other joint pains [1] . Kabiruddin elaborates the statement of Samarqand as “Waja-ul-Mafasil is the pain and inflammation in organs of the Joints [2] . The main objective of this study is to give a platform for the students and practitioners to give comprehensive information regarding the Waja-ul-Mafasil or joint disorders as per the Unani doctrine, in order to enhance clinical practice. Further, this study is aimed to give a platform for the researchers to undertake research activities in the joint diseases with the Unani philosophy.