Meet Our Team

Dr. William Bender

Chiropractor

Dr. William Bender, DC, is a highly respected holistic chiropractor and clinical nutritionist with over four decades of experience serving the southeast Michigan community. He is the founder of Bender Chiropractic Health & Vitality Center, where he has dedicated his life to helping patients overcome chronic conditions, avoid unnecessary medications and procedures, and reclaim long-term health through personalized, natural care.

Born and raised in southeast Michigan, Dr. Bender grew up spending time in his father’s doctor’s office in Detroit. From an early age, he was fascinated by the human body and often asked, “Why do we get sick?”—but he rarely received satisfying answers. He initially set out to become a medical doctor, but quickly realized that traditional medicine focused more on masking symptoms than uncovering the root cause of illness. After attending a life-changing chiropractic seminar, he found his true calling. He became a Doctor of Chiropractic to help the body heal itself by restoring proper function through the nervous system.

Dr. Bender earned his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life University in Marietta, Georgia, after completing his pre-med studies at Oakland University. He opened his own practice in 1985 and quickly became a respected leader in his profession—serving as President and Chairman of the Michigan Chiropractic Council, District President of the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations, and expert witness in legal proceedings related to chiropractic care. He has received more than a dozen awards for leadership, service, and clinical excellence.

Dr. Bender attained an Advanced Proficiency Rating in Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique—the highest level of training available in the method. His desire to support deeper healing also led him to become certified in NeuroEmotional Technique and to achieve the highest levels of training in Nutrition Response Testing. By addressing the physical, chemical, and emotional stressors that affect health, Dr. Bender helps patients achieve results that are not only measurable, but life-changing. Whether preventing surgery, eliminating long-standing medication dependence, or restoring vitality after years of struggle, he thrives on helping people truly heal. He offers free seminars to his patients and community, and regularly presents on nutrition, wellness, hormone balance, immune support, and detoxification.

Dr. Bender’s evolution as a holistic provider was deeply shaped by personal tragedy and family health challenges. In 2004, his wife passed away from breast cancer—a heartbreaking loss that exposed the limitations of conventional medicine and left him feeling helpless, wishing he had more knowledge to support her healing. This experience became a turning point, sparking his mission to explore nutrition, energy, and emotional wellness more deeply. In the years that followed, he completed the highest level of training in Nutrition Response Testing (as an Advanced Clinical Training graduate) and became certified in NeuroEmotional Technique.

Then in 2015, Dr. Bender faced another devastating moment when his son Tom was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Armed with the tools he had acquired since his wife’s passing, Dr. Bender was able to co-manage his son’s care using a powerful combination of conventional medicine, chiropractic, Nutrition Response Testing, NeuroEmotional Technique, exercise, and dietary support. Tom made a full recovery and began practicing alongside his father in 2018. These life experiences continue to fuel Dr. Bender’s passion for whole-body healing, and reinforces his commitment to helping others reclaim their health through personalized, natural care.

Known affectionately as “Dr. B,” he is beloved by his patients for his down-to-earth personality, warm sense of humor, and exceptional listening skills. He takes the time to understand each person’s health history, lifestyle, and goals—customizing care with empathy, intention, and a genuine desire to see his patients thrive. He finds the greatest fulfillment in helping people who are ready to take charge of their full health—not just treat a symptom, but experience a complete transformation.

Outside the office, Dr. Bender enjoys classic cars, boating, kayaking, woodworking, cooking, shooting sports, and motorcycle trips. His greatest joy is time spent with his family—including his sons, Dr. Tom and Alex, and his two energetic grandsons. He’s proud to work alongside Dr. Tom at the practice, where they continue the Bender family legacy of natural, compassionate healthcare. Dr. Bender also leads a local business networking group and remains an active contributor to both the chiropractic profession and his community.

Dr. Thomas Bender

Chiropractor

Dr. Tom Bender is a passionate and visionary chiropractor who co-leads Bender Chiropractic Health & Vitality Center, a family-owned wellness practice built on compassion, clinical excellence, and innovative care. From a young age, Dr. Tom was inspired by his father’s work as a chiropractor. He vividly remembers how energized and grateful patients were to be in the office—often sharing stories of life-changing results and telling him how lucky he was to have a father who had “saved their life.” At just 10 years old, Dr. Tom faced a life-altering loss when his mother passed away from stage 4 breast cancer.

Over the course of a year, he watched her health decline and witnessed firsthand the limitations of conventional medicine. The stark contrast between the joy and healing he saw at his father’s practice and the burnout and sadness he encountered in medical settings left a lasting impression. These early experiences cemented his lifelong commitment to natural, holistic healing—and set the foundation for a career dedicated to helping others reclaim their health and vitality. Dr. Tom is a graduate of Life University in Georgia, where he earned his Doctorate of Chiropractic alongside a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. His educational journey was shaped by profound personal resilience. In 2015, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma—a challenge he overcame through a combination of conventional and complementary care, including chiropractic, Nutrition Response Testing, NeuroEmotional Technique, exercise, and chemotherapy. This experience deepened his compassion, sharpened his clinical insight, and reinforced his belief in the body’s remarkable ability to heal when given the right support.

Dr. Tom specializes in Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique, with a strong focus on pregnancy and pediatric care, sports performance and injury recovery, and helping patients reclaim a level of health they can feel proud of. While he does not personally provide Nutrition Response Testing or NeuroEmotional Technique, he strongly encourages his patients to take advantage of these services through Bender Chiropractic Health & Vitality Center, knowing they play a powerful role in supporting deeper healing and long-term wellness. In 2024, Dr. Tom also integrated BrainTap, a cutting-edge neurotechnology that aligns with his mission to help patients overcome physical, chemical, and emotional stress—enhancing both recovery and overall vitality. As a husband and father, Dr. Tom brings a deep sense of empathy and relatability to his work. He understands firsthand the physical and emotional demands of parenting and uses that perspective to better connect with families, new parents, and children in his care. Whether he’s supporting a pregnant mother, adjusting a newborn, or helping a busy parent reduce stress and restore vibrant, pain-free, full-body function, Dr. Tom is committed to making every patient feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for.

Dr. Tom’s mission is to help every patient reach their highest potential—physically, mentally, and emotionally—through personalized, natural care. He is continually expanding his knowledge and exploring innovative tools and technologies that complement chiropractic, with a focus on delivering the best possible outcomes. His ultimate goal is to create a healing environment where every person can reclaim their health, elevate their life, and truly thrive. Outside the office, Dr. Tom enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Shawna, their two sons, Mason and Atlas, and their two dogs, Loki and Thor. He’s a former record-holding competitive swimmer who broke multiple high school records and set a new county record that had stood unchallenged for over 30 years. These days, he stays active outdoors and enjoys finding new ways to challenge himself both mentally and physically—whether through exploring health and fitness trends, diving into competitive online gaming (a favorite hobby he shares with Shawna), or unwinding with a good anime series. A firm believer that laughter is one of the best things you can do for your health, Dr. Tom also has a deep appreciation for great comedy and the joy it brings to everyday life. Whether he is tackling a home project, watching his boys grow, or connecting with patients, Dr. Tom strives to live with purpose, playfulness, and presence—values he brings into every patient interaction.