Therapy is any kind of treatment or combination of treatments intended to treat a condition, illness, or disorder. There are an incredibly wide range of types of therapy practiced today, and collectively these therapies are important to improving wellbeing across the full spectrum of physical and mental challenges experienced by patients.
Physical therapy is often required to help recovery from sports injuries like broken bones and muscle tears or the management of chronic conditions such as back pain or arthritis. In many cases, normal body movement, a full range of physical function, and pain relief can be achieved through a combination of exercise, hands-on care practices such as massage, and patient education.
Many psychological issues such as depression, substance abuse disorders, and anxiety can also be treated with therapeutic approaches. Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” can be essential to diagnosing issues and helping patients understand their conditions and become more aware of how to manage them in daily life. Complementary therapies such as positive psychiatry, art therapy, meditation, and more may also be employed as part of an integrative therapy approach that brings together multiple therapeutic techniques.
