The word 治疗 is formed by combining two independent characters, each with its own meaning related to the concept of healing, to create a single, more comprehensive term. The first character, 治 (zhì), primarily carries the meaning of "to govern" or "to manage", but in a medical context, it extends to "to treat" or "to cure", implying the act of controlling or rectifying an illness. The second character, 疗 (liáo), means specifically "to treat medically" or "to heal". When placed together, they form a compound word where their meanings reinforce and specify each other, resulting in the general concept of "medical treatment" or "therapy", effectively capturing both the action and purpose of healing.