Dominic Magrino is considered by many to be the top massage therapist in Fredericksburg. We’re delighted that he decided to pursue certification as a Master Myoskeletal Therapist (MMT). Achieving this certification, one of the highest standards for a massage professional, is not easy. It takes a burning desire to get results for your clients and a great deal of commitment. You can find out more about him below. He can help you resolve pain problems that many other allied health professions struggle with, including back pain, injuries, and headaches. If you’re looking for massage therapy in Fredericksburg, give Dominic a call.
Most therapists have an inspiring story about why they got into massage therapy, but I like to say I got into it for all the wrong reasons. I was 20, living in Colorado with my oldest sister and her husband, who was a massage therapist. As someone who had only worked retail and manual labor jobs, I was blown away by his lifestyle. He never had to wake up before dawn or work overnight shifts, never dug holes in the rain or heat, never lifted heavy things all day, and he always had cash in his pocket from tips. That was enough to send me back east to Virginia to enroll in massage school.
Within the first 30 minutes of class, I realized massage therapy involved a lot more than I expected, but I was hooked. I became fascinated with anatomy and physiology, and once the hands-on training started, I found I had a natural affinity for the work. Graduating in 2008, I joined a local Massage Envy and quickly gained a reputation for working well with clients seeking more clinical-style sessions, eventually becoming Lead Therapist. I loved it, but like most therapists, I wanted to learn more and understand the body on a deeper level.
Back then, we didn’t have social media or YouTube, so continuing education was hit-or-miss, and nothing seemed to offer the depth I wanted. To access college funding and broaden my medical knowledge, I enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Healthcare Specialist. During my service, I earned my EMT-B certification and learned a tremendous amount about illnesses, injuries, and trauma medicine. The medical providers I worked with were incredibly supportive of my massage skills and taught me anything they thought could apply. Even during my deployment to Afghanistan, I found myself treating casualties one moment and offering massage to my soldiers the next, eventually earning my Combat Medic Badge.
After completing my service, I returned to the spa world and started studying biomedical engineering, then later switched to nursing. But my heart wasn’t in either path. In 2023, I opened my private practice and finally dedicated myself to massage full time. It wasn’t until February 2025, just one month after Erik Dalton passed, that I discovered MAT. A local therapist shared a memorial post, and something about it drew me in. I looked up Erik’s work and instantly felt like I had found home. For almost two decades I had been searching for the kind of information he was teaching. Realizing his courses had existed since 1998 was disappointing for about two seconds, then I bought Posture Pain Performance and dove into MAT.
What I love most about MAT is the depth of information behind every technique. Anyone can copy a move from a video, but understanding the why creates real proficiency. Erik compiled a lifetime of knowledge and presented it in a format that’s easy to understand, high quality, and incredibly applicable. The techniques themselves are effective without being overly complicated, and they feel natural to use, whether in a wellness session or with a fully clothed client. Since integrating MAT into my practice, the response from my clients has been tremendous. I can consistently create effective, lasting therapeutic change, and I finally stopped “chasing the pain.” I now look at how everything is interconnected, which has completely elevated the quality of care I provide.
Becoming part of the Dalton Gang has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The therapists who gravitate to this work are absolutely my people, and every workshop with instructors like Tammy McCue, Scott Doss, and the incredible TA team has been a blast. If you’re considering learning MAT, start with Posture Pain Performance, it truly sets you up for success. And if you’re thinking about becoming an MMT, go for it. There’s no deadline, and it’s something you’ll be proud of for the rest of your life. This work sets you apart, elevates your effectiveness, and connects you with one of the best professional communities in the world. I’m incredibly proud to be an MMT.
Dominic Magrino
Fredericksburg, Virginia
540-681-1070