A topical pharmaceutical composition for use in alleviating or reversing a clinical symptom selected from rigidity, stiffness, loss of mobility, loss of flexibility and swelling in a part or region of the body comprises (a) a ginger ingredient, (b) vinegar or a physiologically acceptable acid, and (c) a viscosity-enhancing agent. The ginger ingredient may be essential oil of ginger, ginger extract or tincture, fresh ginger, powdered ginger or a constituent compound of ginger. Examples of the viscosity-enhancing agent include xanthan gum, kuzu and glucomannan gums, and combinations thereof. The viscosity-enhancing agent may further be a skin penetration enhancing or skin hydration enhancing agent or the composition may additionally comprise a skin penetration enhancing or skin hydration enhancing agent.
