We can say that, in health, the body holds a balance not only within the structural system and the energy system, but also between them. It does this in part by using the third side of the triangle, the biochemical system.
Of course these are all interdependent and interrelated, and changes within any one of them will affect the others. Most treatment systems, however, concentrate on only one. The osteopath treats mainly structure, the acupuncturist mainly energetics, and the herbalist or nutritionist the biochemistry.
When a person is well treated within one discipline, provided other factors are more or less equal, they can respond well to challenges within that area. This means, for example, that someone who has been well treated osteopathically can usually handle a sudden increased physical strain without back pain. If they are at the same time exposed to strain in the other areas, for example emotional stress and a background of poor nutrition, then they may suffer not only back pain, requiring yet another visit to the osteopath, but also digestive problems, insomnia and so on. Similarly, someone only treated with acupuncture may find that chronic postural problems remain unchanged and lead easily to pain when challenged with physical demands.
Practitioners often recognise that treating one system in isolation is inefficient. They may try to treat the other systems within their own discipline, as best they can; or refer patients to colleagues in the other disciplines, hoping different approaches will work together. The best treatment, however, is when all three are given equal attention; structure, energetics and biochemistry. This can best be done by integrating conventional osteopathic, cranial osteopathic, acupuncture and nutritional/herbal treatments, carried out by the same practitioner.
When the three major systems are all well adjusted, the individual can best respond to whatever life brings.
Staying healthy then requires Health Maintenance.