There are two categories of treatment in homeopathy: acute and chronic. Acute treatment has to do with the treatment of a self-limited illness. Such an illness, for example, a cold, might be handled by the body sooner or later. But the homeopathic medicine gently stimulates the person to recovery. Moreover, since the homeopathic medicine treats the person rather than just treating the symptoms, it does not suppress the symptoms. Without suppression, the person is returned to a better state of well being.

The other category of treatment is chronic treatment, sometimes called constitutional treatment. This has to do with the treatment of a long-standing problem within the person. Such a problem would be considered chronic whether present all the time or recurring intermittently. The difficulty and the length of chronic treatment is affected by many factors, such as the nature of the problem, the family medical history, the kind of previous treatment, and the persons inherent constitutional strength. The goal is to bring the person to a state of well being.