Matthew Stampe L.Ac, Dipl. Ac. NCCAOM, LMT is both a LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) with Virginia Department of Health’s Board of Nursing (2006), and and LAc (Licensed Acupuncturist) with Virginia Department of Health’s Board of Medicine (2019). He has been nationally certified under the National Certification Board for Massage Therapy and Bodywork (NCBTMB). He has completed his National acupuncture certification with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is a Diplomate of Acupuncture (Dipl. Ac. NCCAOM).
In 1990, while attending Virginia Commonwealth University, Matthew took interest in the study of Chinese medicine like Diet therapy and Herbs, Acupuncture, Tui-na (Chinese massage), Tai chi, Neigong, and Qigong through the Tao Experience Foundation (director Wilson Pitts), Dr. Amy Ballon-Tseng, and Dr. Shuing-Fei Kang. Meditative disciplines (Swami Satchidananda’s Hatha Yoga, Transcendental meditation “TM” with Dr. Jonathan Shear, and Tibetan Buddhism with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche) were also learned and practiced under strict guidance to connect with the true source of healing. Matt got his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in 1995.
“I believe acupuncture works best with a series of treatments with dietary and lifestyle adjustments, along with teaching patients some basic acupressure and qigong.” Matt often says.
In 1992, Matthew was introduced to Coach He Weiqi, one of the top 10 wushu coaches from Mainland China and her husband Coach Xu Jengheng. They were invited from Shanghai China to teach at the Richmond Virginia Parks and Recreation. Matt began learning the Traditional Yang Taijiquan curriculum supplemented with Chanquan, Wushu Taolu, and Sanda training. Coach He, a disciple of Fu Zhongwen, was the President of the U.S. Chapter of the Yongnian Taijiquan Association. Through Coach He, Matthew was able to train with Taiji legends like Fu Zhongwen, Fu Shengyuan, and James Fu. Coach Weiqi also brought Shanghai team member Coach Zhou Jianhua (Cai Longyu’s student) to help the Richmond wushu team. Fu Shengyuan’s top disciple Damon Bramich is also a important instructor. Matt’s role in the U.S. chapter of Yongnian Association was Secretary-treasurer of the association. Collection of annual dues, generating the newsletter, and coaching adults and kids classes, were part of his responsibilities.
Other previous Yang style teachers have come from Christopher Pei (Yang Zhenjie and Yang Zhenduo) of the United States Wushu Academy, Yang Zhenduo and Yang Jun of the International Yang Family Association, Xianhao Cheng from the Hangzhou branch Yongnian Association (Jiang Yukun lineage), Cheng Man Ching lineage through Tidewater Tai Chi’s Larry Mann and Don Davis, David Walls-Kaufman, and Ben Lo.
Matthew is a member of the “International Yang Family Taijiquan Association“ since 2003, and ranked level 3 “Gold Eagle“. He has trained with professional coaches and fighters in Chinese martial art schools (in China and USA), MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Northern Virginia, Muay Thai (in Thailand and USA), and Boxing schools (D.C. beltway). He did much of his body work at various MMA, Crossfit gyms, and martial arts schools helping athletes, coaches, and fighters for competition events. Matt competed in combat sports like Taiji tui shou (“push hands” a mid-range grappling) and full contact fight events in the ring and lei tai, a raised platform used in Chinese martial arts.
Matthew graduated from Qi Elements school of Massage and Tai Chi in Herndon Virginia in 2005.
In 2014, to further his deep interest in Oriental medicine, Matthew devoted 4 years toward a degree in Acupuncture and Oriental medicine at Virginia University of Integrative medicine. While in the MSOM (Masters of Science in Oriental medicine program), he quickly graduated with a MSA (Masters of Science in Acupuncture) in December 2018 to get into the industry. Integrative medicine is both western medicine at the level of a registered nurse combined with Oriental medicine. Matt continues to work on the MSOM, Continuing Education units (CEU’s), and Professional Development Awards (PDA, future: PhD) necessary to maintain licensure and profressional growth.
Matt has taught both public classes in Qigong and Taijiquan (Tai Chi) since 1994, and currently public and didactic classes at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine since 2014. As a faculty member Matt has taught Qigong, Tai Chi, Tui-na, Practice Management and Billing, and Acupuncture Microsystems.
“Qi to the Nth Power”: Interview with Matt at the New Dharma bums
Matt interview Think Fit Be Fit Podcast
Bingru Wang interview with Matt Stampe and Marc Wasserman
Also See Damon Bramich Newcastle, New South Wales Australia
James Fu in Perth, Western Australia
Yongnian Tai Chi 