About Gene
Gene Cavagnaro is a Washington State Licensed Massage Therapist (WA MA6149208) practicing in Bellingham. He works with clients managing chronic pain, injury recovery, post-surgical restrictions, and the structural compensation patterns that build up over years of stress, work, and life. His sessions combine Visceral Manipulation, CranioSacral, SMRT, deep tissue, and Swedish techniques, tailored to whether you want straightforward symptom relief or to learn how to manage your own body between visits.
The story
Throughout my life of too many injuries, stress, and the perceived weight of the world, my body started to fail. From a young age I had to learn how to heal myself and help others feel better. It always fascinated me how well we can heal, or how drastically we can become frail.
In 2003, for my own health, I became a licensed massage therapist, and that began a fascinating journey of learning from accomplished, seasoned, intuitive bodyworkers who showed me how caringly powerful and in tune a practitioner can be when reading the body. I fine-tuned my skillset with their guidance to become who I am today.
Stress will not go away, but we can find a homeostasis our bodies will thrive in.
I’ve helped many people feel better over the years. Some come in just wanting a good massage and to leave feeling different. Others want to understand their bodies more deeply and learn what they can do between sessions. Either is welcome.
Training & lineage
Most of my real education came from working alongside accomplished, seasoned bodyworkers. Formal training is one half of the story; the other half is years of practice with mentors who knew how to read a body.
- Visceral Manipulation — Barral Institute curriculum · 250 hours (Featured)
- 500-hour accredited Massage Therapy program · foundational
- Thai Massage · 75 hours
- CranioSacral Therapy · 50 hours
- SMRT — Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique · continuing education
- Yoga Teacher Training · 200 hours
- Clinical practice — spa, private, lead-therapist roles · 22+ years
Your first visit
For first-time clients — what the visit actually looks like.
- Intake. A short written health history before your first session, plus a brief verbal review when you arrive.
- Draping. Full professional draping at all times per Washington standards. Only the area being worked is uncovered.
- Communication. Continuous check-ins on pressure and comfort. You can pause, modify, or end the session at any time.
- The studio. A dedicated treatment room in my home in Bellingham. Private entrance, dedicated table, professional setup.
- Companion welcome. You’re welcome to bring someone who can wait in the entryway or driveway.
Ready when you are.
Start with a 45-minute session — the lower-commitment way to see if we’re a fit.