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What Is the Therapeutic Process?
A therapeutic process refers to the act of diagnosing an illness, identifying a treatment plan, and implementing the plan in an effective manner. Only if all of these things are done properly will a person successfully overcome a medical condition. Therapy generally refers to the specific treatment, but finding the right therapeutic fit is as important as any other aspect of a treatment plan.
If one aspect of disease treatment is incorrectly done, then a person may not recover as fully as possible. Diagnosis is the first step. It is important to consult with reputable and experienced professionals, perhaps acquiring multiple opinions, before conclusively determining a type of disease.
![A therapeutic process may include the implementation of music therapy.](http://images.thehealthboard.com/slideshow-mobile-small/black-boy-with-drums.jpg)
Finding the right treatment plan is the next step in the therapeutic process. This may be as simple as a short-term antibiotics course or as complex as a lifestyle change that must be permanently followed. This all depends on the nature of an illness and desire of the individual to get better.
There are many factors that go into choosing the right therapeutic plan. An agreement needs to be met realistically considering the resources and drive of the patient matched with possible interventions by the provider. There are so many types of therapy, and that means there are also many options.
![Massage can play a role in the therapeutic process.](http://images.thehealthboard.com/slideshow-mobile-small/massage-therapy-of-back.jpg)
Therapy may include physical measures like massage, yoga, or wilderness therapy. It could also integrate psychological aspects, such as music therapy or dream analysis. Finding an effective therapy is like picking out shoes — no one selection is right for everyone.
The therapeutic process then requires implementation. Even if a patient and doctor identify a great therapeutic fit, if it is never implemented, the therapy is useless. This makes the dedication of the patient subjected to therapy very important as effort equates to results.
![Pregnant women may benefit from therapeutic massage.](http://images.thehealthboard.com/slideshow-mobile-small/pregnant-woman-receiving-massage.jpg)
Depending on which therapy a person is undertaking, the therapeutic process may vary. Perhaps one therapy requires daily activity, while another meets bi-weekly. One type of therapy may expect independent work, and another may only take place during predetermined meeting times. Some therapies can be on a per diem basis, whereas others may require years before results can be seen. The therapeutic process also refers to the requirements and specifications of each type of therapy in addition to the process of recovery.
![Yoga may play a role in the therapeutic process.](http://images.thehealthboard.com/slideshow-mobile-small/woman-in-white-practicing-yoga.jpg)
There are many ways in which a person may become sick. Sometimes, illness can dramatically affect quality of life, in which case professional help is needed. The good news is that a variety of therapeutic interventions exist to help those suffering get better. The therapeutic process encompasses all steps of treating an illness and is geared toward helping every person live the best life possible.
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Discussion Comments
What are the therapeutic effects of regular exercise?
@fify-- If the 'do it yourself' exercises are not working, if you are having trouble doing them alone, tell your doctor about this. I'm sure he could send you to physical therapy.
Don't ignore this because it's best to complete the therapy soon after an injury. The longer muscles become idle, the more difficult it may become for them to learn movements again.
Your doctor may have underestimated the injury or overestimated your ability to complete the therapeutic exercises yourself. But the stretching and strengthening exercises are usually the most important and most effective way of recovering after injuries.
I'm undergoing a therapeutic process right now. But I have to admit that I'm doing very good because I'm expected to do everything on my own. I had a back injury and after a course of pain killers an anti-inflammatory medication, my doctor sent me home with a list of exercises to do at home. I was doing them regularly for the first three months but I've not been so good about it lately. I have not entirely recovered either. I wish we could have sessions at the doctor's office. Then I would have no excuse to avoid the exercises.
The importance of the desire of the individual to get better cannot be over-emphasized in my opinion. Even if a doctor does everything required for someone's treatment, if he or she does not want to get better, it won't happen. Morale is very important in illness. Cancer doctors say this all the time.
If someone is depressed or has no interest in getting better, they will probably not get better or it will take a very long time. That's why I think that sometimes, the therapeutic process also needs to include the help of a psychologist, therapist or counselor. Especially some illnesses are very hard on the patient. There are psychologists who are specialized to work with patients suffering from severe illnesses.
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