Medical therapy
Medical Therapy
Medical therapy (pronunciation: /ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈθɛrəpi/) is a broad term that refers to the process of treating disease or illness with medication or other non-surgical methods.
Etymology
The term "medical therapy" is derived from the Greek words "medikos" meaning "pertaining to healing" and "therapeia" meaning "healing, service, treatment".
Definition
Medical therapy involves the use of drugs or other forms of treatment to manage or cure diseases. It is often used in contrast to surgical therapy, which involves invasive procedures. Medical therapy can include a wide range of treatments, from prescription medications to physical therapy, psychotherapy, and more.
Types of Medical Therapy
There are many different types of medical therapy, including but not limited to:
- Pharmacotherapy: The use of drugs to treat disease.
- Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.
- Physical therapy: The use of exercises and other physical methods to improve mobility and function.
- Psychotherapy: The use of psychological methods to help a person overcome problems or change behavior patterns.
- Occupational therapy: The use of assessment and intervention to develop, recover, or maintain the meaningful activities, or occupations, of individuals, groups, or communities.
Related Terms
- Pharmacology: The study of drugs and their effects on the body.
- Physiotherapy: Another term for physical therapy, often used outside the United States.
- Psychiatry: The medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders.
- Occupational health: The field of healthcare that focuses on the well-being and safety of workers.
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