What does the suffix '-therapy' refer to?

The suffix '-therapy' refers specifically to treatment. In medical terminology, it is commonly used to describe various forms of treatment aimed at alleviating symptoms, curing diseases, or promoting healing. This suffix is derived from the Greek word "therapeia," which means "to treat" or "to care for."

In clinical practice, you will often encounter this suffix in terms such as "chemotherapy," which refers to the treatment of cancer using chemical substances, and "physiotherapy," which relates to the treatment of physical ailments through physical methods. The use of '-therapy' indicates a focus on the methods or practices intended to improve health or manage medical conditions.