Editing Universal Medicine (section)

== Treatments and practices ==
{{Quote box
 |quote  = "Serge Benhayon is the leader of Universal Medicine, a group which to his knowledge, engages in misleading conduct in promoting the healing services it offers", "makes false claims about healing that cause harm to others" and "preys on cancer patients". "Serge Benhayon as the leader of Universal Medicine exploits the followers of that group through his false and harmful teachings", "had exploited children by having them vouch for Universal Medicine's dishonest healing practices", "has persuaded followers to shun loved ones who won't join his cult" and "is sexually manipulative of his cult followers". "Serge Benhayon is the leader of an exploitative" and "socially harmful cult, which to his knowledge had engaged in dishonest healing practices" and "that is paternalistic to women".
 |source = NSW Supreme Court jury findings, December 6, 2018<ref name=":01"/>
 |width  = 25%
 |align  = right
}}

Universal Medicine markets practitioner training and accreditation through its Esoteric Practitioners Association Pty Ltd; however, the training and qualifications are not recognised and "esoteric practitioners" are not [[accredited]].<ref name="HCCC"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/sister-says-relationship-broken-after-universal-me/3532620/ |title=Sister says relationship 'broken' after Universal Medicine |last=McKeith |first=Sam |date=24 September 2018 |work=Northern Star |location=NSW |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Members of the association are charged an annual fee.<ref name=":0"/> Clients have been reported to spend tens of thousands of Australian dollars on Universal Medicine products and services.<ref name="NewsComAU"/><ref name="DailyTelegraph">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/doctor-sent-woman-for-two-years-of-new-age-healing-in-a-galaxy-far-far-away-for-a-cough-costing-her-35000/story-fni0cx12-1227042292016?nk=83c5ba21b8dba82030667f6ffab83e0a |title=Doctor sent woman for two years of new age healing in a galaxy far, far away for a cough - costing her $35,000 |last=Hansen |first=Jane |date=31 August 2014 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=Sydney}}</ref>

Benhayon's "esoteric connective tissue therapy" is said to improve the patient's energy flow by "allowing the pulse of the lymphatic system to symbiotically correspond with the body's own ensheathing web". [[John Dwyer (medicine)|John Dwyer]] describes the existence of a lymphatic pulse as "utter nonsense".<ref name="SMH"/>

Universal Medicine also provides counselling services to parents, body-awareness education workshops to young women, cardiosacral pulse and craniosacral readings, as well as "exorcism sessions" where children were reportedly present.<ref name="MOYWCA"/><ref name="MOInsideUM"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/court-evidence-may-be-used-for-action-on-universal/3662619/ |title=Court evidence may be enough for Universal Medicine action |last=Turner |first=Liana |date=4 March 2019 |work=Northern Star |location=NSW |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In November 2014, Universal Medicine's treatments were highlighted in a [[Parliament of New South Wales|NSW Parliamentary]] Inquiry report by the Health Care Complaints Committee which states:
:"While there is little anecdotal evidence to suggest actual harm caused by these treatments, concerns were raised that patients may forgo seeking proper medical advice and care. Two patients who were undergoing therapies at Universal Medicine were independently diagnosed with cancer and [[bronchiectasis]] respectively, and required proper medical intervention in order to be properly treated".<ref name="HCCC"/>

Universal Medicine lobbied the local [[Don Page (politician)|NSW MP for Ballina Don Page]] to have these unfavourable comments removed from the Parliamentary Inquiry Report.<ref name="TelegraphBullied"/>

Controversy surrounds referrals for esoteric treatments by some doctors, a situation that medical regulators say is difficult to address.<ref name=":7"/><ref name="Dwyer">{{cite magazine |last=Dwyer |first=John |author-link=John Dwyer (medicine) |date=1 May 2013 |title=When "Healing Hands" Start Grasping |url=http://www.australasianscience.com.au/article/issue-may-2013/when-"healing-hands"-start-grasping.html |magazine=Australasian Science |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=44 |url-access=subscription }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}
* {{cite magazine |author=John Dwyer |date=May 2013 |title=When "Healing Hands" Start Grasping |magazine=Australasian Science |url=https://www.scienceinmedicine.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/bp_may13.pdf |via=Science in Medicine }}</ref> During the inquiry Don Page MP said these types of referrals "would give most people considerable concern".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/DBAssets/InquiryEventTranscript/Transcript/9143/Corrected%20Transcript%20-%20%20Hearing%20No%202.pdf |title=Report of Proceedings Before Committee on the Health Care Complaints Commission Inquiry into the promotion of false and misleading health-related information and practices |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=3 September 2014 |website=Parliament of NSW |access-date=17 September 2025 |archive-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620035706/https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/DBAssets/InquiryEventTranscript/Transcript/9143/Corrected%20Transcript%20-%20%20Hearing%20No%202.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> Universal Medicine's registered allied health practitioners allegedly encourage followers to seek GP referral for Medicare treatment plans to pay for sessions. A former patient who received treatment from a UM physiotherapist under a Medicare plan reported the "Universal physio claimed her health was improving from 'craniosacral pulse' therapy", however, "her GP ordered tests that found she had cancer". The patient was reportedly told by Universal Medicine that "doctors will make you sicker than you already are".<ref name="MOinvestigation">{{cite news |url=http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/investigation-urged-cult-medical-group |title=Investigation urged into 'cult' medical group |date=16 July 2012 |work=Medical Observer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724213807/http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/investigation-urged-into-cult-medical-group |archive-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=dead |location=Australia |url-access=registration}}</ref> Another patient was told by a thoracic physician and student of UM that conventional HRT was harmful and "deep-seated grief is a major driving factor in lung disease".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/specialist-reprimanded-esoteric-referrals |title=Specialist reprimanded for 'esoteric' referrals |last=Scholefield |first=Anthony |date=1 June 2017 |website=Australian Doctor |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://archive.today/QjNmr/eb575c0da1f066047986de7652534f0c6796272f |archive-date=2018-12-24}}</ref><ref name=":0"/> Dwyer stated that it was "highly reprehensible" that medical professionals registered on a "promise to practise [[evidence-based medicine]]" were engaged in promoting "cultish behaviour".<ref name=":4"/>

Serge Benhayon has responded to criticism stating that UM does not "interfere with medicine... We do not hold ourselves above medicine. We are super pro medicine".<ref name="MOInsideUM"/> UM conducts retreats such as "the science of [[Divination]]".<ref name="fabic"/> Sydney paediatrician and "Baby Doc" author, Howard Chilton, has endorsed Benhayon as a "teacher of enormous integrity". Chilton has given talks at the company's women's health forums but claims his support for UM is a personal matter unrelated to evidence-based practice. Chilton's daughter Isabella is married to Benhayon's son Curtis.<ref name="TelegraphBullied"/> UM associated thoracic surgeon Sam Kim, who has praised Benhayon's esoteric breast massage and states UM is a reputable healing organisation, not a cult.<ref name=":31"/><ref name=":6"/> Supporter and [[Bangalow]] ophthalmologist Anne Malatt claims her life and work had been inspired by Benhayon, adding that the "core tenet of Serge's teachings is energetic integrity" and "when put into practice on a daily basis, they work".<ref name=":04"/><ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/><ref name="SMH"/> Sydney rheumatologist and UM advocate Maxine Szramka claims to have observed UM student's chronic pain being permanently cured adding UM's esoteric healing practices lead to miracles every day.<ref name="szramka">{{Cite news |url=https://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/specialist-linked-alleged-cult-resigns-doctors-lobby |title=Specialist linked to alleged cult resigns from doctors' lobby |last=O'Rourke |first=Geir |date=13 November 2018 |work=Australian Doctor |archive-url=https://archive.today/vUt96/3da778bbad09a1f941b012e42a9a2f96c35abe5d |archive-date=2018-12-25 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Her endorsement has now been deleted from the UM website.<ref name=":30"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/doctor-linked-alleged-cult-entitled-her-private-life-and-private-views |title=Doctor linked with alleged cult 'entitled to her private life and private views' |last=Smith |first=Paul |date=9 November 2018 |website=Australian Doctor |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite web |title=Doctor's links with 'cult' her 'personal business' |url=https://i.postimg.cc/gzcT6rBz/Doctors-links-with-cult-her.jpg?dl=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/zOaBC/2cada19f62a58f3924a740c1bf197c0ace2a6256 |archive-date=2018-12-25}}{{unreliable source?|date=May 2022}}</ref>

UM practises an unproven technique on women called "Deeper Femaleness" claiming it is "great for rape recovery". It involves the "hands-on esoteric healing" of a woman's abdomen and pubic area and manipulation of the woman's pubic bone. UM publications show the therapy is performed by men.<ref name="charlatan"/><ref name=":9"/><ref name=":37"/>

The treatments have been characterised as "sleazy" with one ex-patient comparing her experience to being subjected to a "[[Abusive power and control|grooming]] exercise".<ref name="TelegraphSleazy">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/universal-medicine-client-says-her-sessions-felt-sleazy-and-she-was-being-groomed/news-story/86f9798a6e90389f715ea182c56b0771 |title=Universal Medicine client says her sessions felt 'sleazy' and she was being 'groomed' |last=Hansen |first=Jane |date=22 June 2014 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=Sydney}}</ref> UM has responded by taking the ex-patient to the Supreme Court of NSW alleging defamation.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2016/05/universal-medicine-defamation-hearing-today/ |title=Universal Medicine defamation hearing today |last=Local News |date=6 May 2016 |work=Echonetdaily |location=Byron Bay NSW}}</ref> The jury found it was substantially true to say "Serge Benhayon makes bogus healing claims" and "is engaged in a healing fraud that harms people".<ref name=":18"/>

Benhayon confirmed that in 2009 at [[Billinudgel]] in NSW, the group held a "[[book burning]]" at the property of his lawyer.<ref name="SMHherbal"/> Others reported it as "just like the ritual burning of books in [[Nazi Germany]]", where Benhayon's students were invited to throw their books onto the [[pyre]]. Most books burnt were on [[Chinese medicine]], [[kinesiology]], [[acupuncture]], [[homeopathy]] and other [[alternative healing]] modalities, all of which Benhayon had decreed "prana" which he considers "evil".<ref name="The Da Vinci Mode"/><ref name="MOprana"/>

Benhayon insists women should not play sport, stating: "You've become involved with sport, which women should never be, because the right ovary becomes more powerful than the left. They're ready to have a child but the vaginal walls as thick as, and they're not a woman energetically, even though they have breasts, vagina, uterus and so forth".<ref name=":37"/> On feminism Benhayon teaches that women are "paying the price" for greater equality in the form of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis and period issues. He states women have now moved "into much more male energy" in gaining greater equality and how this was achieved is "energetically not correct".<ref name=":44"/>

Serge Benhayon confirms revenue from Universal Medicine provides a living for the whole of the extended Benhayon family. In 2016, he had a taxable income of more than $188,000, and his wife, Miranda, $176,000. Approximately $50,000 of his income came from the Universal Family Trust, which also distributed $129,593 to his daughter Natalie, approximately $100,000 to his son Michael, $59,812 to his son Curtis and a further $34,890 to Curtis' wife Isabella. A further $400,000 went to another company. Benhayon's ex-wife Deborah Benhayon receives a salary as the chief financial officer for UM.<ref name=":14">{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/discarnate-spirits-in-the-courtroom-as-healer-is-cross-examined-20180905-p501u5.html |title='Discarnate spirits' in the courtroom as 'healer' is cross-examined |last1=Whitbourn |first1=Michaela |date=5 September 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190110191442/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/discarnate-spirits-in-the-courtroom-as-healer-is-cross-examined-20180905-p501u5.html |archive-date=10 January 2019 |url-status=live |publisher=Fairfax Media |url-access=limited |access-date=14 September 2018}}</ref> Real estate to the value of $5.5 million has been linked to the group, including a $1.75 million property in Brisbane, and a hall valued at $2.3 million.<ref name=":20"/> All of his four children hold positions within the organisation.<ref name="AWW"/>

Serge Benhayon personally holds an extensive multimillion-dollar property portfolio in Northern NSW which includes UM's spititual home "The Hall of Ageless Wisdom" on one of his properties. When in Australia he lives on a private estate near Lismore, and when in England in a house at 'The Lighthouse' estate near Frome in Somerset.<ref name=":37"/><ref name=":21"/> 'The Lighthouse' is the European base for UM and is owned by Simon Williams, the ex-president of the local [[Chamber of Commerce]].<ref name="Williams"/>