Manipulation

The act or process of manipulating, or the state of being manipulated; the act of handling work by hand; use of the hands, in an artistic or skillful manner, in science or art.

The use of the hands in mesmeric operations.

Artful management; as, the manipulation of political bodies; sometimes, a management or treatment for purposes of deception or fraud.

exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage; "his manipulation of his friends was scandalous"