My Journey

Chieko-Graduation-LunchAloha, my name is Matthew Terrusa.  I am a graduate of the Traditional Chinese Medical College of Hawaii.  I received my Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2006.  I am also a Certified Seitai Shinpo Acupuncturist.  I have studied Seitai Shinpo under Dr. Chieko Maekawa in a four-year apprenticeship style training in her clinic in Kailua- Kona.  Dr. Maekawa studied under Daiichi Sorimachi Sensei who is the founder of Seitai Shinpo, and one of the best acupuncturists in Japan.  Sorimachi Sensei has only trained four people.  My training with Dr. Maekawa was in a very strict traditional Japanese protocol.  I am one of the only thirteen Certified Seitai Shinpo Acupuncturist in the world.

I specialize in this unique Japanese style of acupuncture called Seitai Shinpo.  Seitai Shinpo combines acupuncture and moxibustion techniques to help bring the body back into balance.  Seitai Shinpo can be translated as “correct body alignment acupuncture method,” and is the only form of acupuncture that directly addresses structural misalignments and musculoskeletal contractions and stressors that are causing our bodies to get out of balance.

After graduating the traditional Chinese Medical, I continued my training with Dr Maekawa in the classroom. A part of the Seitai Shinpo program is to  developed the students skills to become a future teacher of Sietai Shinpo.   TCMCH is the only School in the world you can receive this very unique and effective acupuncture training.  Seitai Shinpo is an elective class at TCMCH.  For the past three years, I have attended and helped in the organizing, planning, and running of the annual Seitai Shinpo Foundation conference in Kailua-Kona Hawaii.  This conference features Sorimachi Sensei and Seitai Shinpo.  It is such a great honor to get to work with a master and to see him heal patient’s right before your eyes.  I feel honored and feel very privileged and so grateful to apprentice under Dr Chieko Maekawa, and to learn from the master himself Daiichi Sorimachi Sensei.  I thank God every day for my Journey and my life’s blessings.

While attending TCMCH, I helped in founding and establishing a group we called the EDC, Executive Development Committee.  It was directly responsible for raising $30,000 in a fundraiser which helped the school keep its doors open and assisted in getting the school re-accredited.  The EDC also helped in raising community awareness and education about acupuncture as a mainstream effective healthcare method.

I have been a licensed massage therapist for 12 years, specializing in neuromuscular and sports massage.  I have volunteered the past few years as a massage therapist in the Ironman Triathlon Championship and worked on some of the top athletes in the world.  I have treated through my private practice, in massage spas in Florida and the Big Island, as well as managing an integrative holistic healthcare office in Florida.

I am committed to help increase quality healthcare for all people. I am committed to educating people of the benefits of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  I am grateful to be of service and look forward to assisting you on your healing Journey.

Many Blessings,

Aloha,

Matthew Terrusa L.Ac., CSSAc.