Dr. Cliff Full Bio
Dr. Cliff received her Associates of Applied Science in Law Enforcement Technology from Central Piedmont Community College and began her service career as a police officer with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department where she proudly served in the David One and David Two districts. Additionally, she assisted in firearms instruction as a Range Safety Officer and was the Volunteer Unit Coordinator. From 1993-2006 she was also an Emergency Medical Technician and served briefly as a member of Matthews Rescue and EMS. Dr. Cliff is the seventh member of her family to serve and protect. She is proud to be a part of the combined 191 years of service spanning three generations in her family.
In 2004, while completing of her Bachelor of Science in Biology, pre-med focus, from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Cliff attended Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy. She was hired immediately upon graduation from Southeastern School as an Instructor in Anatomy and Physiology/Pathology, Swedish Massage, and Neuromuscular Therapy and was the Community Outreach Coordinator and a Student Clinic supervisor until 2010. From 2005-2010 she was the CEO/Owner of WhyKnot Massage, a groundbreaking massage therapy company providing seated chair massage and sports massage at various venues, offices and events in the Charlotte area, and was also the owner of CNC Massage Therapy, her private massage therapy practice specializing in elite level endurance athletes, professional sport teams and athletes and public service personnel. During this time, she gained tremendous experiential insight into the body and its natural healing abilities.
In 2009, Dr. Cliff became a Usui Reiki Ryoho Master under the direct instruction of Master Randi Morrison with lineage to Master William Rand and the founder of Reiki, Usui Sensei.
Dr. Cliff received her Masters of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2013 from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in Asheville, NC. She received direct instruction from Jeffery Yuen, an 88th & 26th generation Daoist priest, whom she still studies with today. She is a National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (formerly NCCAOM, now NCBAHM) Board Certified Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Chinese Medicine Herbalist (denoted as Dipl. OM).
Dr. Cliff is an apprenticing Shaman under Shaman, Medicine Woman, Alchemist, TedX Speaker and Author Robbie Warren. Robbie 'Otter Woman Standing' Warren has over thirty years experience working in her ancestral lineage medicines and is a direct student of the Native American Visionary, Joseph 'Beautiful Painted Arrow' Rael of the Ute and Tiwa Tribes. Dr. Cliff is a Prayer Carrier and is able to offer sacred prayers for anyone needing healing, guidance, support or gratitude.
Dr. Cliff is a current Reiki Master in the Shinpinden Okuden Usui Reiki Ryoho lineage of the Samurai warriors of feudal Japan and is a direct student of the late Master, Janie Smith.
Dr. Cliff received her Doctorate in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine from Pacific Collage of Health and Science {formerly Pacific College of Oriental Medicine}, San Diego, CA in 2020. Her area of special focus was food insecurity and its health effects on low-income populations.
Dr. Cliff has studied for over 20 years with various healers, thought leaders, business development and personal development masters. She is recognized as a thought leader, diagnostic expert and spiritual mentor.
Dr. Cliff is a general practitioner treating all areas of concern. She is a master diagnostician and specializes in unraveling the origins of the most complex cases that have not been able to be deciphered by others.
She is an observational researcher in the role of quantum, mechanical and classical physics impact on the bio-emotional aspects of the body.
She is the founder and creator of the Shen Shock Theory™ of trauma propagation and pathology formation, the Elemental Matrix Assay Profile™ (Elemental MAP or EMAP), The 5 Elements of Wellness™ method, The Matrix Molecule Model ™ (M3) and The Matrix™ (matriarchal business model) as well as various courses for professionals and individuals.
She is a strategist with three years of Leadership training specific to women in the 21st Century. She has also trained in intensive productivity and impact and she used these skills to obtain her medical doctorate in one year during Covid.
With over 30 years of direct patient care and tens of thousands of hours in investment in her craft, Dr. Cliff is a sought after keynote speaker on the archetypes of The Lost Woman, a trauma story of who we become to be who we ultimately were meant to be.
She is the 2018 National Association of Women Business Owners Rising Star Award Winner. This award is given to a female business owner of less than 5 years who has shown exceptional business growth and visionary direction for continued contribution to women in business and to the impact of the world.
Dr. Crystal Cliff, a native Charlottean, is an avid foodie having considered culinary school prior to medical school. Her food medicine offerings are a direct result of that love for food instilled in her early childhood. She is also a jazz, soul and blues aficionado. Having been the lead singer in a band for two years, she occasionally still performs vocally in various venues in the Charlotte area. Her additional interests include culinary creations, photography (found here on this site) and creating art from found objects. She is known for her spontaneous sense of humor and her intense, driving passion for life. She is also a proud dog mom to her Chesapeake Bay retriever mix dog.