Introducing Matthew Stevens, Medical Massage Therapist and Chronic Injury Specialist
I lived and worked in New Zealand for several years. After that, I was pondering a move home, but my interest in martial arts took me to Japan.I spent three years there training and competing in mixed martial arts and continuing my work with many contacts I met through the gyms where I trained. I worked with a number of athletes there and back home in the U.K. Working alongside many...
Dealing with Emotions
First, when encountering a situation (could be a person, external stimulus, event or issue), people see it with certain assumptions (these are preconceived concepts based on the belief system). Through this filter, one reacts based on his/her biology and the way he/she measures reality. Reaction is always associated with emotion. There are two types of emotion: primary and secondary. Primary is the emotion that one can show (socially speaking)—the conscious/social emotion....
Spring Foot Health: Put Your Best Foot Forward
The colder weather is quickly becoming a distant memory. As the warmer months kick in, we find ourselves coming out of our self-induced winter cocoons to partake in the fun and socialising that comes with Shanghai’s summer. With a change of season comes a change in the types of problems that podiatrists see on a regular basis. Following are a few of the common ones, with some easy pointers to...
Spring Allergies and Respiratory Problems
Shanghai’s damp and dusty environment is a nightmare for allergy and asthma sufferers, and spring brings a new round of suffering. During spring, both nature and the human body are coming out of a state of winter passivity and transitioning to a more active (and hot/yang) period. Unfortunately, after a long, cold winter, the body is generally weak and vulnerable to external pathogenic factors. Therefore, the meridians transporting the flow...
Spring Can Be a Headache! TCM’s Approach to Migraines and Headaches
It’s wonderful when spring is here…we can enjoy longer sunny days and an end to those cold, grey and rainy winter days. Unfortunately during springtime, changing weather together with our modern lifestyle (sitting long hours in a bad position and eating unbalanced diets) often result in unpleasant headaches and migraines. As spring is the season of rebirth, growth, and blooming flowers, so is it for the human body which has to...
Common Emotional and Relationship Issues for Today’s Woman
The devaluation of the feminine energy and our attempts to fit into society’s/other’s view of our roles plays a part in many of the emotional and relationship issues women face today. I work with many clients to better understand how these issues are affecting their lives and to examine how they see themselves and how they can reconnect with their feminine energy. One common example is the successful career woman in...
How to Help Your Child: Emotional and Behavioral Concerns
The most common reason that children are referred to therapists is a behavior problem. A child may be displaying aggressive behavior or having trouble concentrating in school/suffering from learning problems (due to ADHD or other issues). Other children may be diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. Concerns to Watch for in Kids Parents and teachers are key in observing the child and noticing possible concerns. Early intervention for the child and family...
Inside a Shanghai Reiki Session
I’ve provided an overview of what reiki is and how it can help previously. Now, I will share more about the client’s experience in one of my Shanghai reiki sessions in order for people who have never tried to know what to expect. A reiki session usually last about one hour. It can go slightly longer as everything is personalized and tailored to what the client needs. With the stressing...
Projective Testing in Child & Family Therapy, Getting to the Heart of the Matter
One of the most effective methods I use in the therapy process is projective testing. This is a means of assessing the unconscious issues that the person may not express through language. Language is tied up in our culture and the way we wish to project ourselves to the world as dictated by social norms. Projective tests are based in psychoanalysis as developed by Dr. Carl Jung and others, on...
Celebrating Feminine Energy on Women’s Day
Like yin and yang, we are all made up of feminine and masculine energy. The masculine side relates to thinking, action and things we can describe in words. The feminine side is about inner energy, feelings and intuition. In today’s world, many women connect more with their masculine energy in order to compete and survive. The feminine side is pushed down and devalued. A woman may lose touch with this...