Massage Therapy & Ayurvedic treatments
More Than Massage — Bodywork Within an Integrative Healing Environment
Massage therapy at The Buddha's Medicine is not a cookie cutter spa experience. It's bodywork rooted in an integrative healing philosophy and part of a comprehensive care framework, available alongside medical care, mental health therapy, and lifestyle coaching — all under one roof.
Our Licensed Massage Therapists bring years of training and thousands of hours of hands-on experience across a wide range of Western therapeutic modalities to their clients. What makes their work here distinct is both their skill and expertise, and the additional dimension of informed Ayurvedic bodywork.
This means that whether you come to us for relief from chronic pain, recovery from injury, support during pregnancy, deep relaxation, or the unique benefits of Ayurvedic bodywork, your care can be informed by and coordinated with the broader clinical picture. For patients who are working with Dr. Matt or Jamie, massage and bodywork become part of a unified approach to healing rather than an isolated service.
Our clinic is located in SE Portland's Laurelhurst neighborhood at 3310 SE Oak Street. Massage therapy appointments are available to everyone — you do not need to be an existing patient of Dr. Matt or a client of Jamie to book a session.
Healing Touch, Rooted in Rich Tradition
At The Buddha's Medicine, we understand that skilled therapeutic touch is one of humanity's oldest and most powerful healing modalities. Our massage therapy and bodywork offerings honor this ancient and shared human wisdom while meeting your modern wellness needs—whether you're seeking relief from chronic pain, support through injury recovery, care to support your healing from a chronic medical issue, or simply a deeply restorative pause from daily life.
Our Licensed Massage Therapists bring diverse training across multiple traditions—from Swedish and deep tissue foundations to Table Thai massage, Shiatsu, Chinese medical bodywork, neuromuscular therapy, and energy healing. This broad breadth and scope allows us to meet each person exactly where they are, tailoring each session to your unique body, goals, and preferences.
Massage therapy at The Buddha's Medicine is available to everyone! You do not need to be an existing patient of Dr. Matt or Jamie to receive bodywork services—though many of our patients find that massage beautifully complements their Ayurvedic medical care, mental health therapy, and integrative wellness journeys.
Our massage therapists are more than skilled massage practitioners alone—they are dedicated professionals of the healing arts, each bringing unique training, life experience, and a lot of heart to their work. Together, they offer a comprehensive range of modalities that expand our clinic's whole-person approach to wellness.
Meet Our Massage Team
-
![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, Lead LMT + Administrative Assistant
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
-
![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
-
![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
-
![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.
faq
-
Massage therapy appointments are available to both new and established clients of The Buddha's Medicine. You do not need to be Dr. Matt's patient or Jamie's client to book a massage session!
-
New clients will complete succinct, electronic intake forms covering massage history, key health information, and care preferences. This helps our LMTs understand your needs and tailor your session accordingly. Please make sure the required forms are completed at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
-
We do not. Our free consultations are available only for those seeking care with Dr. Matt and/or Jamie. However, if you have questions about whether massage is appropriate for your concerns, you are welcome and encouraged to contact us directly before booking.
-
For most sessions, you'll undress to your comfort level and be professionally draped throughout.
For Swedish, Deep Tissue, Craniosacral, and most table-based massage, you'll undress to your comfort level and be professionally draped throughout the session.
For Table Thai Massage and Shiatsu, please wear or bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (yoga pants or sweat pants and a t-shirt work well) as these modalities are performed fully clothed.
For Tuina, if you prefer to remain clothed, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing works well.
-
Avoid heavy meals immediately before your appointment.
Stay well-hydrated. Favor non-carbonated water and herbal teas.
Arrive a few minutes early to settle in, especially if it's your first visit.
Communicate openly with your LMT about your goals, pressure preferences, and any areas to focus on or avoid.
learn more
