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Therapeutic

By , About.com Guide

Updated July 28, 2008

Definition: Therapeutic refers to healing, such as a medicine or therapy that has healing or curative capability for treatment of disease or disability.

It is used for both physical health and mental health, ranging from a drug or substance that is used to cure a disease to an attitude or activity that supports the healing of one's mental or emotional health.

Pronunciation: thare-a-PYOU-tik
Examples:
Heat may be therapeutic when applied to aching muscles.

A mother's calming, loving voice may be therapeutic to her crying baby.

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