Collaborating in your health and wellness with RMT Matthew Somers

Connecting Calgary’s LGBTQ2S+ business community for 10 years and counting

Whether they’re taking time for themselves or tackling a chronic issue, finding specialists that can be trusted and who can affirm identity is key for folks in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Altitude Collaborative Health is home to highly trained health professionals who fit such a bill. We spoke with Altitude registered massage therapist and manual osteopathic therapist Matthew Somers about how he and the rest of the team at the clinic welcome and support members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Pride In Business: What are your titles, certificates, and roles? What did you do before?

Matthew Somers: I am dual registered as a registered massage therapist and as a manual osteopathic therapist. Prior to entering this field, I worked in the oil and gas industry as a manager.

PIB: What does your work consist of? What does Altitude Collaborative Health do?

MS: My work consists of finding the root cause of people's concerns. We can do this through assessment and corrective actions targeting soft tissue, joints, bones, lymphatics, and even organs.

Altitude Collaborative Health is a collaborative team of chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, acupuncture, naturopaths, podiatrist, and our newest addition of Manual Osteopathic Therapy.

PIB: What inspired you to become an RMT and an Osteopath? What do you hope to achieve?

MS: I have always had a passion for medicine and human sciences and wanting to help people is a core value of mine. Early on in life, I wanted to become a paramedic but quickly learned that blood and I don’t mix well. So that landed me in my career as an RMT, I could help people before or after injuries.

In early 2020 I was approached by the Manual Osteopathic College of Canada to attend their Manual Osteopathic Therapy program — it was such a light bulb moment that made me realize what else I was missing to fully help people achieve their wellness goals.

I hope to achieve a successful practice where people can see progress in their health and wellness goals, whether that pertains to recovery from an injury or an increase of quality of life and general overall wellness

PIB: What’s your impression of the 2SLGBTQ+ business community in Calgary and area?

MS: Initially, I was unaware of a lot of businesses in the city as I had previously lived and worked in Airdrie, but since moving offices into Calgary and joining an inclusive softball league — Calgary Apollo Softball Association (CASA) — I have gotten to meet a lot of people with businesses. There are so many more inclusive businesses than I realized.

PIB: How do you and Altitude promote inclusion and diversity? Can you provide a brief overview of your history and goals in this space?

MS: Altitude uses its social media networks to promote and foster the values of inclusion and diversity.

My goal in working with Altitude is to continue to foster the existing safe space for people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Outside of the clinic, we also support community groups and were a sponsor for an inclusive softball team through CASA for the past two years.

PIB: What do you and Altitude Collaborative Health do to make members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community feel welcome?

MS: My colleagues and I ensure our treatment spaces and demeanour match that of a non-judgmental and safe space. I strive to ensure that clients can feel safe discussing their health concerns with me as both a massage therapist and manual osteopathic therapist.

PIB: What advice would you have for anyone looking to get into the health and wellness industry or, more specifically, looking for a career as a massage therapist?

MS: My biggest advice would be to have the passion and the drive to help people, listen to their concerns, and help them formulate a plan to achieve the goals that you create together.

PIB: Are you open to being approached by members of our community would who like to connect on topics we discussed in this article? How do you prefer to be contacted?

MS: Absolutely, I am always available to connect with people. I can be reached through Instagram at @garnetwellness or @altitudehealthyyc or by email at info@altitudehealth.ca

Altitude Collaborative Health is located downtown at 300-225 11th Ave. S.E.

Learn more about Altitude Health at altitudehealth.ca and follow them on Instagram @altitudehealthyyc