Which treatments besides drugs are included in therapeutics?

Therapeutics encompasses a wide range of interventions beyond the use of drugs to prevent or manage disease, alleviate pain, and care for patients. These non-drug measures include:1

• Surgery: Used to remove diseased tissue, replace nonfunctioning organs, or provide palliative relief for pain and dysfunction.12
• Lifestyle Interventions: Diet and exercise are fundamental for managing chronic conditions like obesity and improving overall health.13
• Psychotherapy and Counseling: These approaches use mental rather than physical means—including psychotherapy, suggestion, and insight—to address emotional distress and behavioral patterns.14
• Physical Therapy: This field focuses on improving movement and mobility through exercise prescription, functional training, and physical agents such as massage, soft tissue mobilization, and electrotherapy.5
• Alternative and Complementary Practices: Some individuals utilize methods such as acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, and various meditative or faith healing traditions.6

Effective care often involves a combination of these strategies tailored to the individual's specific needs.4