Chiropractor brings technique to Shenzhen

Writer: Chang Zhipeng  | Editor: Vincent Lin  | From:  | Updated: 2019-08-12

Benjamin Lee Coupe

An Australian in his 30s, Benjamin Lee Coupe, who has successfully cured a few infant and adult patients with spinal deformity problems and claims to be the first man to practice a specific chiropractic technique in China, is targeting hundreds of thousands of potential Chinese clients whom he believes are inclined to accept the treatment because it shares some similarities with Tuina, which is a technique often practiced by doctors of traditional Chinese medicine.

Invited by his business partner, Coupe decided to begin chasing his ambition in Shenzhen, a city that has embraced various new experiences.

Coupe arrived in Shenzhen in July. He noticed that the people in the city spend a lot more time sitting in front of their computers than his fellow Australians, and tend to have hour-long meetings, even late into the night with arched backs and tilted heads.

“People here are living a fast-paced life. They spend less time relaxing, and as a result their bones and spines have to bear more pressure from their bad postures,” said Coupe. “After a period of time they will feel the pain, the shape of their body will change and they will be humpbacked.”

Coupe said that by accepting his chiropractic treatment, a technique that manipulates the body’s structure by focusing on the spine, to relieve back pain, and even headaches or high blood pressure, patients will feel relief and their figures will be rebuilt.

“I was first exposed to the technique while studying science at Macquarie University in Sydney. I paid a few visits to the chiropractor during that time and it resolved my persistent lower back pain. Then I had my first lecture on chiropractic. I knew I was in the right place,” said Coupe.

After receiving his Master’s degree in chiropractic medicine in 2005, he moved to Scotland to work in one of the largest chiropractic groups in Europe.

Coupe returned to Australia and gradually found the market there was not big enough.

“People in Australia nowadays are seeking other treatments such as chiropractic, because they sometimes are disappointed with the orthodox medical therapy,” he said. “My clients love what we do and some of our best clients are Chinese.”

“If you compare the number of people in Australia with that of China, you will surely agree that China is a much larger market, where nobody else is doing what I do. I have a feeling that it (chiropractic) will be pretty positive here as Chinese are more open to naturopathy,” Coupe said.

Coupe’s clinic will open soon in Bao’an District, where he is expecting his career to soar.