My name is Michael Bending, I practice in Manly Vale on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. I am a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, acupuncturist, remedial and sports masseur. I take an evidence based perspective to clinical treatment and prefer an integrated medicine approach to treating health. I believe in working together with other therapists and medical professionals in achieving the best patient outcomes. I am registered with the Australian Government Health Practitioners Regulation Agency as well as being a member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society.
Michael Bending BHlthSc (UWS) Chinese
Medicine, Dip Rem Massage (ACNT)
I have been a full time triathlete and competed at national level but today I train just for fitness. I have an enquiring mind for knowledge in the field of medicine coupled with a need to serve and to help people lead a healthy and happy life. My main focus or specialties are dermatology, skin disorders, immune/auto disorders, oncology, orthopedics (musculoskeletal injury) and fertility.
I have travelled and studied at numerous hospitals and medical clinics within China to update my clinical knowledge and continue to do so on a regular basis. I believe in an integrated health system with both western and Chinese medicine as well as other complementary medicines.
Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a broad range of medicine practices sharing common concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of 3500 years or more.
Today, many people in the western world are aware of the benefits of acupuncture – mainly because of Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972, where he witnessed open heart surgery being performed in a Chinese hospital using acupuncture for pain management (watch open heart surgery in a Chinese Hospital).
Far from being a treatment just for pain, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is now seen throughout the world as a valuable complimentary healthcare option that can work in parallel with western medicine – treatment of muscular skeletal, gynecological, endocrine or central nervous system problems, skin disease, headaches or general chronic health problems and many other health conditions. TCM is widely used in China within the Chinese hospital system in combination with Western Medicine.
In addition to providing treatments for a wide range of health disorders, Chinese Medicine may also be used to assist with general health maintenance and disease prevention. By strengthening and enhancing normal body functions, the immune system is boosted and a general sense of well-being promoted. TCM can also aid athletes in sport for strength and endurance.
Learn more about the Chinese Medicine+ diagnosis system
How does Chinese Medicine work – what’s involved?
Chinese Medicine uses a system that is different from Western Medicine however they are similar in many ways too. Chinese Medicine uses metaphors (Yin, Yang, Five Phases, Qi) to explain complex disease patterns (group of symptoms) in a simple way thus allowing the cause of the disease to be treated rather than just treating the symptom. Western Medicine reduces disease patterns into simplistic individual symptoms and treats the symptom.
A Chinese Medicine consultation will involve the practitioner looking at the patients tongue and also feeling the patients pulse as well as taking notes and making other clinical observations.
Generally speaking, Western Medicine is effective for treating acute illness while Chinese Medicine is used for treating chronic illness or general health. Western Medicine does work faster but there are sometimes severe side effects. This is referred to as the risk benefit ratio.
If diagnosed correctly Chinese Medicine can work quickly in some scenarios but it can also take up to 6-12 weeks before a person feels any benefit – depending upon variables such as the type of disease, persons physical condition, lifestyle, environmental influences, disease progression or duration of disease.
