When determining the etymological origin of the term treatment we have to make it clear that it is found in Latin. Thus, we can perfectly observe that it emanates from the sum of the verb tractare , which can be translated as “treat”, and the suffix – miento , which is synonymous with “instrument or result”.
A treatment is a set of means that are used to alleviate or cure an illness , reach the essence of what is unknown, or transform something. The concept is common in the field of medicine .
Treatment as therapy
In this case, the notion of treatment is often used as a synonym for therapy . It can be a set of means of any kind: surgical, physiological, pharmacological, etc. Its objective is to alleviate or cure the symptoms detected through a diagnosis .
Depending on the pathology suffered by a patient, its severity and the state of progress in which it is found, the relevant doctor will establish one treatment or another. However, among the best known are surgery, acupuncture, orthopedics, rest or hydrotherapy.
In the case of cancer, there are two fundamental treatments: chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Both forms are usually effective in most cases as they are quite “aggressive”. What this also results in is that the patient who undergoes either of the two has to face harsh effects such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue or even inflammation.
The rehabilitation
Rehabilitation treatment consists of various procedures that seek to help the patient reach the fullest physical and mental potential compatible with possible physiological or anatomical deficiencies and environmental limitations. These treatments are developed with the intention of restoring health .
For example: “The musician will undergo rehabilitation treatment so that he can overcome his drug addiction,” “The player has already been undergoing treatment for his injury for five weeks.”
Environmental treatment
For environmental engineering , a treatment is a set of operations that seek to reduce or eliminate contamination of water or soil.
We can talk about water treatment (to mitigate undesirable characteristics in this liquid) or waste treatment (to minimize the material to be confined, either through recycling or other methods).
The concept in art and protocol
In the field of art, and specifically in the world of cinema, the term treatment is also used. More accurately, we can say that it is a word used to refer to a script that has not yet been polished, corrected or completely revised in order to carry out filming.
Treatment can also refer to the title of courtesy granted to a person (your honor, excellence, etc.) or the action and effect of treating ( “I want my client to be given preferential treatment in your establishment.” ).
Among the most frequent protocol treatments are the gift, sir, licentiate, doctor, majesty, highness, honor, most illustrious...