About Carlos, Your Langford Massage Therapist
Get To Know Your Langford RMT
I aim to give people more insight into who I am, why I became a registered massage therapist, and what I enjoy doing outside of work. I will also answer some of the most common questions from people I see at work.
Why I Became A Registered Massage Therapist
Becoming a massage therapist wasn't a straightforward dream I had established as a young kid. Like any kid, I had wild dreams and was sure I would play professional hockey. That goal didn't turn out the way I had hoped. While chasing that goal, I was introduced to health and wellness and massage therapy.
At 14, I started working with a trainer to improve my on-ice performance. I quickly saw the benefit of how it made me feel and play. Eventually, I would move to Victoria in the summers to train here. After a few years, I began coaching the younger athletes and started to learn how to train people as a strength and conditioning coach.
I enjoyed doing this, helping people learn proper techniques and improve daily. Because of all the training I was doing, I started seeing a massage therapist in Langford to help me recover and prevent injury. Their knowledge was very interesting, and in typical 16-year-old fashion, I considered it a "cool" job. I always found appointments with my RMT very helpful, and the idea of being able to help other people in the same way was appealing.
Do I Go To RMT School?
When my hockey career ended, I wasn't sure what to do. I had a few small scholarship offers from a few schools, but going to a school and taking a degree that I didn't have any interest in so that I could play more hockey didn't seem wise to me.
I kept returning to the thought of the job of an RMT being so interesting. Being your own boss, helping people feel good and recover from injury, and learning more about health and wellness didn't seem like something I would regret. That said, I was very hesitant; it's not like you can take the job for a "test drive." You must commit to the school to pass board exams and get a registered massage therapist license.
I decided to take the leap and sign up for massage therapy school. The worst case scenario is that I realize I don't like it early on and drop out of RMT school. It was a two-way door, a choice you could change your mind about.
Becoming A Massage Therapist
I graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in downtown Victoria in 2019. The program is just under two years straight, Monday through Friday. Some weekends are spent providing massage therapy in the community, which is part of the diploma's practical portion.
I was very committed to the program and worked hard to maintain my high grades. A huge change from high school. Let's just say I wasn't the best high school student. I'm sorry to all the teachers who encouraged me to commit more. I wasn't interested in what I was learning, but that all changed at massage therapy school in Victoria.
Finally, I found learning fun and exciting, and my grades reflected that, maintaining a 96% average through RMT school. My big goal was board exams, and I studied every day in preparation. The minimum passing grade was 70% through all of RMT school and on the registered massage therapy board exams. I wanted to get a minimum of 90% of the two written exams; that was my minimum.
When I received my grades—a 97% on one and a 94% on the other—it made me feel amazing. It boosted my self-confidence and made me feel great to see a reward for all the hard work I put in through massage therapy school.
Working As A Registered Massage Therapist
When I received my license, I worked downtown at two different clinics. I transitioned to just one of them full-time, intending to be there for about six months before starting Symmetry Wellness. That was the plan, but nothing ever goes according to plan, we had a little virus named COVID. You might have heard about it, and starting my own business then did not seem like a smart idea. I stayed at the clinic for about a year and a half, and once the global pandemic had settled, I decided it was time to build my massage therapy clinic in Langford.
Life When Not Working As A Massage Therapist
My life outside of work consists mainly of two things. The first is enjoying my favourite activities, such as mountain biking and tennis. Second is my other business ventures; if you're curious, ask me what I'm working on at your next appointment.
FAQ
Q: What's the most important thing when getting a massage from a registered massage therapist?
A: You get what you were looking for out of the appointment. The RMT's job is to meet you where you are and help you achieve your goal for each appointment. That can change appointment to appointment, but it's your time, not the therapist's.
Q: Is my appointment only effective if it hurts?
A: No, 100% no. Your massage therapy appointment does not need to be painful, and generally, it shouldn't be painful. You may like some therapeutic intensity throughout, but if you're counting down the minutes until it's over, then that's too much.
Q: How does registered massage therapy help with stress
A: When you're stressed or anxious, your massage therapy appointment should aim to decrease your sympathetic nervous system firing. That is part of your nervous system that gets upregulated when stressed or anxious as part of your body's protective mechanisms. It's your fight-or-flight response.
Q: Do you provide aftercare advice following a massage therapy session?
A: In most cases, yes, It can be as simple as getting your body moving or as in-depth as a complete rehabilitation program. It depends on your goals and what brings you in for your massage therapy appointment.
Q: Can I request a specific type of music or ambiance during the session?
A: Yes, it's your appointment. Say so if you want silence to focus on your breathing or relax your mind. If you would like to chat during your appointment, that's also great with me.
Q: What about being an RMT do you enjoy the most?
A: I am always grateful that most people are happy to see me for their appointment. It's not something I take lightly.