02/25/2022
The RMTAO is the professional association for RMTs in Ontario. I am honoured to be selected this month for their Member Spotlight.
The RMTAO is pleased to announce our February Member Spotlight, Kimberly Kane!
Kimberly graduated from Kikkawa College in Toronto in 2018 and holds an Honours BSc in Biology from Queens University. She has volunteered on the RMTAO’s Publications Review Panel since 2019 and is on the 2022 RMTAO Conference Committee. Kimberly moved back to Muskoka in 2021 to be closer to her family. After spending two months renovating, she re-opened her business, Kind Cactus Massage, in her home.
Why did you choose to become a Registered Massage Therapist?
Kimberly: I came to massage therapy a bit later in my life, celebrating my graduation from massage school along with my fortieth birthday. My previous career required me to be constantly on a computer, but I love to move and be active. Seeing a massage therapist was an important part of my self-care while I trained for marathons. I peppered my massage therapist with questions about her training, what she was doing in treatments and why, and what led her to massage. I had a successful career, but I didn’t love it. I imagined that in another life, with different choices, I could have been a great RMT. Then one day I decided to stop daydreaming about this other life, and instead make it happen. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I love being an RMT.
What do you like best about your job?
Kimberly: Helping people feel better. Even when people are in pain or going through a rough time, they feel good about coming to see their RMT. I can help make a person’s day better, and I can teach them ways to help make themselves feel better. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to best accomplish both those goals. I also enjoy being my own boss. And while I still spend a lot of time on a computer, each day includes wonderful movement in my treatment room.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Kimberly: I love to run! I stopped racing a few years ago, but I still hit the pavement (or the snow as the case may be) a few times per week. I enjoy spending time with my extended family and my dog. My husband and I have been improving our construction skills through the pandemic and have enjoyed tackling all kinds of home renovations we shied away from in the past.
What advice would you give new Registered Massage Therapists?
Kimberly: Put aside time each week for learning. Block off the time in your schedule if you must and make it a part of your routine. It is the nature of many educational programs that by the time you graduate, some of the information you learned is already out of date. It takes time for research to be incorporated into curriculum. Reach out to other therapists who are pursuing an evidence-based practice, join your local RMTAO Community-Based Network, find a mentor, read research articles, listen to podcasts, work or volunteer with the RMTAO and/or CMTO, etc. The information you have at graduation is your jumping off point, but there is much more to learn about movement, massage therapy, and pain management. Dive in.
Why did you choose to join the RMTAO?
Kimberly: I joined for free when I was a student to see what the RMTAO had to offer and continued as a paying member because I appreciate the RMTAO’s advocacy efforts on behalf of RMTs. They also provide great resources to help RMTs with all aspects of the profession and respond quickly to inquiries.
