Matthew Stewart

BCom | BAppSc | MOst | PGDipHE | Dip Body Therapies | Dip Therapeutic Massage

Matthew has a string of letters after his name, all of which prove, in theory, that he is a great osteopath, well qualified to help you to achieve your “optimal” as he likes to call it.
In practice, Matthew literally does feel your pain. He has had experience on both sides of the therapy table, first as a chronic pain sufferer before discovering the benefits of osteopathy for himself, and now as a veteran practitioner of more than 25 years.

His career path towards osteopathy started with the BCom which begins the string of letters, an office job in Queenstown which was “interesting but not inspiring”, and passion for snowboarding.

Snowboarding became the catalyst for Matthew’s early career change into the health sector when, after a particularly strenuous session one weekend, he was carted off the mountain in agony with chronic pain in his back and hip.

He was in his early twenties, thought he was bullet-proof and was pushing himself too hard, but he says, in hindsight his enthusiasm and high expectations of his ability and endurance, were not in sync with his body’s limits.

Luckily, nothing was broken, but everything was jammed up, not functioning, certainly not optimal. “Not pathological but still giving me grief.”

Ultimately standard medical treatment proved ineffective, but Matthew found that sports massage did give him some relief from his excruciating and debilitating back pain, and set him on to a new career path when he completed an 18-month diploma course in sports massage and body therapies at the NZ College of Massage in Auckland.
Once qualified, in 1997 he left for London to work as a sports massage therapist in a large multi-disciplinary clinic, which included osteopaths.

While working there Matthew learned more about the philosophy of osteopathy, which he describes as: “Treatments based on how bodies treat, regulate and heal themselves to maintain optimal function.”

In fact, he says, osteopathy takes a holistic view of the body, focusing on how the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs work in harmony to achieve optimal health and function.

Matthew’s career in health took another new direction when he realised how much osteopathic treatment had resolved his own ongoing back pain. So he decided to return to New Zealand to complete a Master in Osteopathy at Unitec Institute of Technology.
Since graduating with his Master of Osteopathy degree, Matthew has continued to expand his knowledge and expertise with diplomas, workshops, and mentoring from global experts in the specific areas of cranial, fascial and foot and ankle techniques.
He completed his cranial osteo training at the world-renowned Osteopathic Centre for Children in San Diego under Dr Viola Frymann, DO, followed by further postgraduate studies in the cranial, fascial, and respiratory treatment approach of Dr Robert Fulford, DO, in Oregon.

In 2023, he completed further advanced training in treating and managing foot and ankle conditions in California with Dr Rue Tikker, DMP, and Dr Matt Maguire from Australia.

Now a veteran practitioner of osteopathy, Matthew brings a wealth of experience and a variety to his therapy table, with a wide range of techniques in cranial, myofascial release, and joint manipulation, which he employs to suit each client’s treatment requirements and preferences.

When he is not in his clinic, Matthew is usually at home in St Heliers, spending time with his wife Emma, a fashion designer, and their two children or tending to his heritage veggie garden.

Snowboarding doesn’t feature in Matthew’s world at the moment: cycling and running are his current passions. He was inspired to start running while watching the New York Marathon during a visit to the city. Although he is yet to run that one, he has raced in distances from miles to marathons in Berlin, Sydney, Canberra and Auckland and has even competed in the Comrades ultra-marathon in South Africa three times.

His connection to running groups led to him becoming an accredited coach with Athletics NZ and he especially enjoys working with sportspeople to help them reach their best optimal performance, teaching them how to avoid or recover from injury.
Matthew’s love of sports and the pain he endured because of it, plus his ongoing dedication to the holistic philosophy of osteopathy really does give him the kudos and credentials to help Unity clients on their journeys towards achieving optimal function.