Ayurvedic Treatments / Therapies
Ancient healing wisdom, modern therapeutic expertise.
At The Buddha's Medicine, our massage and bodywork therapies draw from the rich tradition of Ayurvedic medicine—where touch has been recognized for thousands of years as a powerful vehicle for healing. Each treatment is thoughtfully selected or customized to support your unique constitution and current health needs, creating an experience that goes far beyond relaxation to address imbalances at their root.
Questions about which treatment is right for you? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD or to discuss your needs.
Meet Our Massage Team
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![Chris Thurston, Licensed Massage Therapist of The Buddha's Medicine standing in front of green foliage, wearing a light purple shirt over a red top, with hands in pockets.]()
Chris Thurston, LMT
11+ Years of Experience · Massage Therapy Educator · Global Training
Chris brings over eleven years of massage therapy experience and a genuinely global perspective to his work. His journey has taken him from Traditional Chinese Medicine studies in Chicago to Thai massage training in Chiang Mai, Ayurvedic treatments in India, and plant medicine traditions in Peru. A dedicated Buddhist practitioner with fifteen years of yoga practice, Chris embodies the integrative spirit at the heart of our clinic.
Beyond clinical work, Chris has served as a massage therapy instructor at the National Holistic Institute, guiding multiple cohorts of students from enrollment to graduation. His teaching background enhanced his already exceptional skill in reading bodies and adapting his hands-on care in real-time.
Specialties: Swedish · Deep Tissue · Thai Massage · Shiatsu · Craniosacral Therapy · Myofascial Release · Reiki · Integrated Bodywork
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![Kara Cooper, Licensed Massage Therapist]()
Kara Cooper, LMT
Nearly 10 Years of Experience · 10,000+ Hours of Bodywork
Kara brings a decade of dedicated bodywork experience and an intuitive, goal-focused method to every session. Her training spans the range of neuromuscular therapy, deep tissue, trigger point work, pregnancy/prenatal massage, reflexology, energy healing, silicone cupping, and dermoneuromodulation—allowing her to adapt fluidly to what each person needs.
Clients describe their sessions with Kara as both invigorating and deeply balancing. Whether you arrive seeking relief from chronic tension, support during pregnancy, or simply wholesome restoration, she meets you exactly where you are with compassion and clinical precision.
Specialties: Deep Tissue & Neuromuscular Therapy · Pregnancy Massage · Reflexology · Cupping Therapy · Reiki & Energy Work · Sports Massage
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![Cassandra Cantu, Licensed Massage Therapist]()
Cassandra Cantu, LMT
Nearly 10 Years of Experience · Doctoral Student in Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine
Cassandra's path has taken her from the mountains of Colorado to the glaciers of Washington to the halls of the National University of Natural Medicine, where she is currently working on her doctorate in Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine. Her advanced training informs every session—bringing together rigorous anatomical knowledge with intuitive, heart-centered care.
Her specialized training includes Transformational Neuromuscular Therapy, Tuina (Chinese medical massage), Qi Gong, and internal organ balancing. Cassandra's heart mission is to create safe, healing, and inclusive spaces for her community.
Specialties: Therapeutic Myofascial Massage · Neuromuscular Therapy · Sports & Injury Massage · Pre/Postnatal Massage · Tuina · Lymphatic Techniques · Internal Organ & Meridian Balancing
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![Pamela Monroe, Licensed MASSAGE THERAPIST | THE BUDDHA'S MEDICINE]()
Pamela Monroe, LMT
30+ years of experience and practice for over 30 years
Pamela Monroe, LMT, has been in practice for over 30 years. She continues to love her work and finds deep fulfillment in helping others. Pamela attended massage school in Denver, Colorado, after working for several years as a cosmetologist. Her training was a 1,000-hour program with a strong focus on deep tissue and neuromuscular therapy, along with other modalities.
During this time, she met Dr. John Douillard in Boulder, Colorado, where she had a profound experience with marma therapy. Shortly thereafter, she began training in his clinic. Pamela went on to become the head panchakarma therapist and also trained other therapists at the clinic, as well as traveling to provide training. Her experiences with panchakarma have added great richness to both her professional practice and her personal life.
After moving to Portland, Oregon, Pamela continues to offer Ayurvedic therapies in addition to other massage modalities, including deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, craniosacral therapy, and her newest passion, quantum light wave healing.
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Ayurvedic Treatments / Therapies
Our massage therapy menu offers something for everyone—from deeply relaxing Swedish work to focused therapeutic sessions addressing chronic pain and injury. Each service can be tailored to your needs, and our LMTs are skilled at integrating multiple modalities within a single session.
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Abhyanga | The Classic Ayurvedic Oil Massage · 60 or 90 minutes · Get Scheduled
Abhyanga is the cornerstone of Ayurvedic bodywork—a warm, rhythmic oil massage of the entire body that has been practiced for millennia. Abhyanga nourishes the tissues, calms the nervous system, and supports the body's natural detoxification pathways. Using herbalized oils selected specifically for your constitution (prakriti) and current state of health and imbalance (vikriti), this treatment envelops you in comforting warmth while moving stagnant energy, improving circulation, and restoring a deep sense of grounding and ease.
Excellent for: Nervous system support, stress and anxiety, vata imbalances, dry skin, fatigue, seasonal transitions, anyone seeking deep nourishment and restoration, and more.
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These targeted therapies concentrate healing attention on specific regions of the body, offering profound relief and restoration where you need it most.
Shirodhara | The Bliss Treatment · 30 minutes · Get ScheduledShirodhara is perhaps the most iconic of all Ayurvedic treatments—a continuous stream of warm oil poured in a gentle, rhythmic pattern across the forehead and "third eye" region. This deeply meditative experience quiets the fluctuations of the mind, soothes the nervous system, and induces a state of profound calm that many describe as unlike anything they've experienced before.
The effects of Shirodhara extend well beyond the treatment itself—patients often report improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and a lingering sense of peace in the days that follow.
Best for: Anxiety, insomnia, mental agitation, headaches, stress-related conditions, and anyone seeking deep mental and emotional relief.
SAN - Sinus and Nasal Treatment (Shiro'bhyanga-Nasya) | Medicated Nasal Oil and So Much More · 60 minutes · Get ScheduledThe nose is considered the gateway to the head and brain in Ayurvedic medicine. Our SAN treatment (Shiro'bhyanga-Nasya therapy) delivers herbally-medicated oil directly through the nasal passages, where they can access the sinuses, support clear breathing, and nourish the delicate tissues that connect to the brain and nervous system.
A gentle abhyanga of the shoulders, neck, head, and face prepares the treatment area before essential oils and steam open the sinuses. The sinuses are then cleansed with warm herbal saline solution. The final step is to apply warm, medicated oil directly into the nose.
You'll leave breathing more clearly than you have in years!
Best for: Sinus congestion, allergies, headaches, mental fog, neck and shoulder stiffness, recurrent upper respiratory infections, and support during cold and flu season.
Appointment Availability
Mondays to Fridays - 9am to 8pm
Saturdays & Sundays - 2pm to 8pm
Session Length Available
45, 60, 90, & 120 minutes depending on service
Cancellation Policy
24-hour notice required. A $50 fee applies for late cancellations, no-shows, and late arrivals resulting in cancellation.
Preparing for Your Treatment
To receive the full benefits of Ayurvedic bodywork, we recommend arriving well-hydrated, having eaten lightly (or not within 1-2 hours of your appointment), and allowing yourself time afterward to rest rather than rushing back into activity. Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to leave oils in place for several hours if possible—the longer therapeutic oils remain on the skin, the deeper their benefits.
All treatments are provided by Licensed Massage Therapists, working under the clinical guidance of Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD. Treatment recommendations may be adjusted based on your individual constitution, current health status, and treatment goals.
Questions about which treatment is right for you? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD or to discuss your needs.
FAQ
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Ayurvedic massage is rooted in a 5,000-year-old medical tradition that views bodywork as therapeutic medicine rather than simply relaxation. Each treatment is selected based on your unique constitution (prakriti), current imbalances (vikriti), and specific health concerns. The oils, techniques, pressure, and even direction of strokes are all chosen intentionally to bring your body back toward balance. While you'll certainly leave feeling relaxed, the effects extend far beyond the treatment room—supporting detoxification, nourishment of the tissues, and restoration of your body's natural healing capacity.
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No - anyone can come and enjoy! Our Ayurvedic massage and bodywork services are available to both new and established clients. New clients will complete an intake form that helps our licensed massage therapists understand your health history and treatment goals. However, if you have complex health concerns or are interested in more intensive therapies like Panchakarma, you will undergo a brief consultation with Dr. Matt (if you are not already a patient of his) to ensure that your treatments are appropriately tailored to you, and fully medically-informed.
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Your treatment selection depends on your constitution, current state of balance/imbalance, and what you're hoping to address. Here are some general guidelines:
Feeling stressed, anxious, or ungrounded? Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Kaya Seka and other treatments addressing Vata imbalance may be most supportive.
Feeling sluggish, heavy, or weighted-down? Udvartana, Garshana, and other Kapha-reducing treatments might be appropriate to restore lightness and vitality.
Dealing with localized pain or joint issues? Local Basti treatments target specific areas with concentrated, sustained warmth and herbal medicine power.
Seeking deep detoxification? Panchakarma offers comprehensive cleansing under clinical guidance.
If you're unsure, let us know your primary concerns when booking and we can help guide your selection—or schedule a consultation with Dr. Matt to discuss your options.
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Please share any relevant health information including current symptoms, recent injuries or surgeries, medications you're taking, allergies (especially to sesame oil, which is common in Ayurvedic therapies), and any conditions listed on your intake form. If anything has changed since you last visited, let us know. Open communication helps us provide safe, effective care.
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Certain conditions may contraindicate or require modification of specific treatments. These include but are not limited to: pregnancy, fever or acute illness, recent surgery, active infections, bleeding disorders, uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, and specific conditions relevant to individual treatments (such as perforated eardrum for Karna Purana, or active eye infection for Netra Basti). Please disclose all relevant health information so we can advise you appropriately.
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Absolutely. You are always welcome to schedule a consultation with Dr. Matt to discuss the appropriateness of any therapies for your individual situation. This is particularly recommended for those with complex health histories, multiple conditions, or interest in intensive protocols like Panchakarma.
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