Immune system Immunomodulating drugs

Therapists also deal with the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders that are caused by an autoimmune response. Many of these diseases attack connective tissues, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus are often the primary reason that patients undergo rehabilitation. Patients with a compromised immune system may develop musculoskeletal problems related to their immunodeficient state. Hence, immunomodulating drugs are frequently used in many patients receiving physical therapy and occupational therapy. 

Immunomodulators—substances (nutrients, allergens, some food components, herbs, and drugs) that can affect the immune system function. There are two types of such substances depending on their effects immunosuppressants and immunostimulators. 

Immunomodulators are drugs that directly modify a specific immune function or have a net positive or negative effect on the activity of the immune system. The potential uses of immunodulators in clinical medicine include the reconstitution of immune deficiency (e.g. the treatment of AIDS) and the suppression of normal or excessive immune function (e.g. the treatment of graft rejection or autoimmune disease). 

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