Greg Bantick - Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic

05/04/2026

Architectural acupuncture - Xu Tiantian
A beautiful expression of the vast applicability of Chinese medicine principles.

"What can architecture do, rather that what can I make"
"To stimulate circulation for the overall wellness. A healing process, Architecture is engagement to provide the precise treatment."
"Start with diagnosis, understand complications, confusion ... start to work together to understand potential. Everything is contextual".
Using local materials, abandoned spaces. local knowledge and culture to engage and activate the community.

Similar to how acupuncture relieves blocked energy within the body to boost circulation, it is also similar that architecture coming from within a community can function.

”It's not about the area of starchitecture anymore.”We met Chinese architect Xu Tiantian, who believes in architectural acupuncture and minimal intervention....

30/03/2026

Crowded by Beauty.
Marco and I are teaming up this weekend, Friday and Saturday for a big sale.
Marco is selling records from his extensive stock, including new digs just in from Japan.
Both of us are selling ceramics and collectibles from Japan and China. I am selling a lot of my collection. This is part one sale.
High quality Zen temple incense, and altar objects.
Hand painted scrolls.
Japanese and Chinese calligraphy items.
Some really fine Japanese ceramics from top potters, many in signed boxes.
Sake and tea ceremony items.
Have some beautiful objects around you in your home or clinic. Most of which will keep its value.

Come to the Great Easter Treasure Hunt at the Collectormania Fair at the Brisbane Showgrounds, fully indoors and a treasure trove of rare finds, antiques, vintage, collectables and often, just what you are looking for.

20/03/2026

You may find this interesting.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/04/chinamaxxing-influencers-chinese-traditional-medicine?fbclid=IwY2xjawQYHxRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFvZmY0VnlNQzNRM0owYVRzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHld1SdV3Frokd3aCYBb2tBZ2XE-9CEWCjeTZ5MmfuRYi4lFRA5WV1lJ1-bip_aem_c4wL9gCtugT5TArcTwD96Q

As Americans embrace ‘alternative’ remedies, people online joke that they’re ‘Chinamaxxing’ their wellness routines

11/03/2026

This may be of interest.

https://nursing.uic.edu/news-stories/study-finds-acupuncture-produces-longer-lasting-pain-relief-than-placebo/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQdeb5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeb4Pq_O2DtIcTia6IW1viDfHIxfoeKXPJ1N3o90GvLoF0uA8mWo0V0PPa2Dw_aem_wxuHfFS3de2HZmv2ttD2TA

Study finds acupuncture produces longer-lasting pain relief than placebo Posted on March 04, 2026 "Never been a trial like this" Copy link Produced by the UIC Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications. Chronic pain can upend a person’s life. Depending on the type and location, persistent pa...

09/03/2026

Here is the information for the upcoming memorial service to our friend and colleague Mark Gearing.
Thanks to family John, Nikita, Robyn, and others for arranging this.
There is an invitation to write a personal message to Mark.
I will put the live stream link in the comments.
Take care.

Mark John GearingForever in our HeartsIt is with deep sadness and tender hearts that we announce the passing of Mark Gearing.Mark passed on February 28th surrounded by loved ones.In July of 2025, Mark was diagnosed with cancer. He never said he had cancer, only that he was healing from cancer. He ke...

01/03/2026

Our friend Mark Gearing has passed.
Our Chinese medicine community has lost a treasure.
Mark was my colleague, friend, Dharma buddy.
We shared case studies, our Buddhist training, good food and tea, and many laughs.

He was kind and attentive.
One of the most conscientious students of our medicine.
A truly dedicated practitioner, helping so many.
He was just finding his professional stride.
Winning awards for talks at conferences, establishing a place for further studies of jingling in Australia and much more.
He had the support of his mentor Dr Huang Huang and Hiang's fellow students colleagues.
He had trained in many Chinese medicine traditions and is known widely.

He was a respected Kyudo practitioner.
A well trained Buddhist embodying compassion and an always growing wisdom.

To me he was also just Mark.
His big kindly, sparkly, eyes and ready smile.
There if I needled a friend or colleague.
I will miss you my friend.

Over the last few months he has struggled with his health.
Nothing seemed to do more than provide some relief.
Last week medical options ran out and he struggled briefly to accept. Then settled in.
Along with another good friend of his we sat awhile with him on Friday night while he slept.
Suddenly he woke, lucid. We chatted, gave him hugs and kisses.
Recounted some of his many accomplishments and kindnesses toward others.
We affirmed it has been a good life, and that he was loved.
A couple of times he straightened his back, put his hands in prayer position and bowed to me. I returned the bow.
That gesture of mutual respect and admiration. Tears still well up.
So much conveyed in a bow, with eye to eye contact.

Dr Huang, an important figure to Mark, wrote him a note his father was able to read it to him.
He expressed his respect and admiration of Mark and how dearly he wished his life could be extended.

Sincere condolences to his Dad, sister and Mum, all his friends and his many, many colleagues.
I know this news is a shock to many. Mark wanted not to bother people about his situation and was hopeful he would get through it.
I am not sure of any funeral arrangements. I will let people know if I hear anything.
A few photos of Mark and friends.

18/02/2026

What a great treatment table. Stable, extra wide, good for a clinic and, or travel. Well made Earthlite brand. Adjustable height. Good condition. Comfortable face rest. Just a bloody good table.
Only $155. Pick up only northside Brisbane.
DM me for details.

17/02/2026

An interesting interview with Volker who has a broad and deep understanding of Chinese medicine.

"Part of the BAcC's Cultivating Tradition Series, BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs interviews BAcC fellow, Professor Volker Scheid FBAcC about some of the most important ideas and themes in his career as an academic. Volker has dedicated his career to understanding and making sense of the flow of history in Chinese medicine and the diversity of ideas and approaches. In this interview, he interweaves stories from his development as both an academic and a practitioner with some of the important frameworks he has developed to help us all engage with the full range of what Chinese medicine has to offer.
(Recorded in Tuscany - August 2024)"

Part of the BAcC's Cultivating Tradition Series, BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs interviews BAcC fellow, Professor Volker Scheid FBAcC about some of the most important...

17/02/2026

Nathan Sivin's '87 book was a big influence on me.
"The introduction of this issue, “Beyond Classical Chinese Medicine” by Asaf Goldschmidt and Marta Hanson, honors Professor Nathan Sivin’s legacy by covering the early history of the journal and summarizing his overall career and contributions to the history of science. They then revisit the argument in his 1987 work, Traditional Medicine in Contemporary China, which encourages historians to shift from the narrow lens of medicine to a more expansive framework of healthcare that involves a wider range of actors and practices. Finally, they introduce the four other articles published in this special issue and analyze how they build upon Professor Sivin’s intellectual contributions."

https://vcmed.org/beyond-classical-chinese-medicine/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQBvGtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeBGIV6xoHfn_JKe7UextnWhSGkDyqWFanIspLB9aDpA7cFaDSt45jgbxC8wg_aem_3KCfvQ53oYCvnsiAQ0gcdA

“Beyond Classical Chinese Medicine” More info: East Asian Science, Technology, and Medicine (Brill) Special Issue in East Asian Science, Technology, and Medicine (EASTM). Volume 57, Issue 2, published on 30 December 2025. Includes articles by: Marta Hanson, Asaf Goldschmidt, Che-chia Chang This ...

09/02/2026

Charlie Buck, with some good thoughts on Chinese medicine, what it is and how to better promote our medicine.

Part of the BAcC Cultivating Tradition series, BAcC CEO, Alex Jacobs took the opportunity to speak to beloved practitioner, author and BAcC fellow, Charlie B...

22/01/2026

Xia Chongxin - Guang An Men Hospital, Spring .82.

A hardly warm sun was shining through the clinic windows.
On our first meeting Dr Xia got up and came towards me.
He said, in Chinese, "I understand you have been practicing and teaching for some time? "
I answered "yes".
He said "come over and needle St 36 on me".
Sitting on a table with his leg extended he pulled up his trouser and his long underwear.
Nurse Mei gave me a tray of needles and swabs.
All eyes in the clinic had turned my way.
I did my best with hand inserting a 1.5 inch, 30 gauge needle, as we knew them then. He asked me to get de qi.
After this, he got up and said, "now I know where to start. My name is Dr Xia."
None of my history, experience, being part of a team setting up a college entered initial training with him. What can you do?
Along with my roommate and clinic partner Marco Negri a med student from Switzerland we then spent 3 months, 6 mornings a week in his clinic.
I felt seen.
Not what I had done, a title, a degree, a reputation, an age, but what I could or couldn't do to help others.
He was kind, patient and generous with his time and attention.
We were involved in all cases, interview, pulse, tongue treatment plan and treatment.
Over time we were asked to carry all these under his close supervision.
He spoke quietly. Was perceptive about how we used our hands, bodies and minds. He corrected us directly and explained himself. He responded to all our questions, often with following up later using early texts to clarify.
There were no secrets, no holding back.
And he had a good sense of humour.
He was a gem.

He shared the clinic with Dr Niu. Amongst other skills she was good at plum blossom hammer and ear acupuncture.
Also a kindly and generous teacher.
She was good at what she did and it was deeply informed by early texts.
Su Zhihong helped with interpretation.
She remains a good friend.
Recently visiting Brisbane she won medals in sprints at age 80.
Mei was our nurse and help with many things.
Showing us around the hospital and how many things were done.
She won my heart with her friendliness and smile.

17/12/2025

Time for a short break. Duke and I will be out of clinic for a few days.
Last day in clinic Tuesday 23 Dec.
First day back, Tuesday 6 Jan.

We wish you all a restful, relaxing holiday season.
May your health be good, and your capacity to care for yourself and others grow.
May your insight and peace of mind develop.
Thanks for your support of our clinic through the year.
We look forward to doing whatever we can to help you realise your health goals in the new year.

Duke is our clinic puppy.