What does it mean to take a treatment over a short period of time and then stop?

The concept of taking a treatment over a short period of time and then stopping is best described as cycling. In a medical context, cycling refers specifically to the practice of administering a treatment regimen for a limited duration, followed by a break or pause before potentially resuming the treatment later. This approach can be effective for various therapies, especially in fields such as sports medicine, where athletes might cycle through treatment to manage injuries without constant intervention.

The term "continuous treatment" implies an unbroken course of therapy, which does not align with the idea of stopping for periods. "Cumulative therapy" suggests a build-up of effects over time, which also does not match the transient nature described in the question. "Intermittent care" could imply some breaks in treatment but usually indicates a more erratic schedule rather than a structured cycle of treatment followed by rest periods. Thus, cycling accurately captures the essence of the treatment pattern described in the question.