Osteopathy is a form of "manual medicine." Practitioners palpate the body to detect tensions or imbalances that cause discomfort or illness, then perform manipulations to restore balance. Osteopathy is a comprehensive system with its own methods of diagnosis and treatment: it treats a wide variety of conditions. Physical and psychological ailments have repercussions throughout the body. Poor posture, accidents, stress, and negative thoughts do not affect just one system (musculoskeletal, digestive, neurological, vascular, hormonal, etc.), but the entire body.