Cactus Naturopathy & Acupuncture

About Us

Our Doctor

Geoffrey Morgan-Bender, ND, MSEAM, EAMP (He/Him)

Dr. Bender is a licensed Naturopathic Physician, East Asian Medical Provider (EAMP), and acupuncturist who provides primary care for adults, , gender-affirming care, rheumatology, and adjunctive oncology acupuncture. He graduated from Bastyr University in 2014 with a doctorate in Naturopathic medicine, from the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine in 2020 with a Masters in East Asian Medicine, and prior to that received his bachelor of arts in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Connecticut College in 2007. He values evidence based medicine and team-based healthcare with his patients and works to carefully explain health and disease processes so they can make the most informed decisions about treatment. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine interface well with Naturopathic medicine, and give Dr. Bender a wide toolkit that can address many health problems. His scientific background coupled with the modern synergy of Naturopathic medicine, Chinese medicine, and conventional care helps him to create treatment plans that are individualized to each person. Dr. Bender grew up on Star Trek, loves playing tennis and softball, and enjoys exploring the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest with his husband, and dogs Maya and Murphy.

  • Dr. Bender is a member of the Naturopathic Academy of Primary Care Physicians and serves on the Board of Directors
  • https://www.ndprimarycare.org/
Integrative Medicine

Primary Care, Adjunctive Care, and Traditional Chinese Medicine

  • Clinical and Laboratory diagnostic testing

    We offer a comprehensive laboratory analysis to investigate and diagnose a variety of conditions.

  • Nutritional medicine

    We are trained in dietary and supplement analysis, and understand how micronutrients and vitamins interact with your body. Food is our first-line medicine.

  • Botanical medicine

    The use of various types of extracts of plants used medicinally. Many of the pharmaceuticals we use now were originally compounds isolated from plants.

  • Naturopathic physical medicine

    We are able to provide a number of hands-on modalities in the office to support and treat chronic pain, as well as many other common physical complaints. Techniques used may include hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, exercise prescription, and soft-tissue manipulation.

  • Counseling

    We are trained to offer counseling for self-limited psychiatric diagnoses, as well as general lifestyle and emotional support counseling.

  • Homeopathy

    This ancient medicine can help support the body’s innate healing processes and is used to support mental, physical, and emotional health.

  • Prescription medication

    We are trained in the use of pharmaceuticals when deemed appropriate in the treatment of a variety of conditions.

  • Injection therapy

    Injections may be used when a medicine is needed more rapidly or in a more specific body region.

  • Acupuncture

    Stainless steel, single use needles are inserted into various points on the body to stimulate healing and reduce pain.

Our

Pillars of Health

First Do No Harm

The cornerstone of medical care is the amelioration of suffering without creating more suffering in its wake. Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid causing harm to the patient;

  1. Utilize methods and medicines which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat
  2. Avoid the harmful suppression of symptoms when possible
  3. Acknowledge, respect, and work with an individuals’ self-healing process

The Healing Power of Nature

Naturopathic medicine recognizes the inherent self-healing processes within all individuals and acknowledges that these processes are ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to these processes and to facilitate and augment them to help speed recovery.

Treat the Whole

Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and spiritual factors. We are holistic, complex beings, and we should be approached with curiosity and openness.

Treat the Cause

Naturopathic physicians strive to identify and remove the root cause of illness rather than merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

Doctor as Teacher

The original root of the word doctor is ‘docere’ which means ‘to teach’. Naturopathic physicians view themselves as teachers of health and empower their patients to take greater responsibility for their health.

Prevention

Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity, and susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.
Start Your Journey

Individualized Approach

Cactus Naturopathy & Acupuncture is a holistic, integrative clinic offering Naturopathic medicine and Chinese medicine including acupuncture and herbal medicine to South Seattle and the greater Seattle area.  I strive to provide safe, effective, and collaborative care for all of my patients to help achieve their health and wellness goals.