“My massage with Chris was THE BEST massage I have ever had…”
- Suzie H.
ayurvedic massage with chris
Specialities: Swedish Massage, Table Thai Massage, MyoFascial Release, Shiatsu
Get 30% off your first visit with CODE: RELAX30
Chris Thurston, Lead Licensed Massage Therapist
Get 30% off your first visit with code: RELAX30
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Chris brings over eleven years of massage therapy experience and a truly global perspective to The Buddha's Medicine. His journey has taken him from the Pacific College of Health and Science in Chicago—where he developed a strong foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine—to the jungles of Peru, the temples of Thailand, and the healing traditions of India.
Chris's has the heart of a lifelong seeker's. He spent months immersed in Shipibo plant medicine traditions in the Peruvian Amazon, studied Thai Massage at the Sunshine School in Chiang Mai, and experienced authentic Ayurvedic treatments including Shirodhara, Kati Basti, and Abhyanga while traveling through Goa. A dedicated Buddhist practitioner with over fifteen years of consistent yoga practice, Chris embodies the integrative spirit that defines our mission and clinic.
Beyond his clinical work, Chris has served as a massage therapy instructor at the National Holistic Institute, guiding three cohorts of students from enrollment to graduation. His experience as an educator, spa manager, and clinical practitioner gives him a unique depth of understanding—both the technical precision of skilled bodywork and the art of meeting each person exactly where they are.
Grounded in Swedish technique, Chris weaves together deep tissue, trigger point therapy, Thai massage, Shiatsu, myofascial release, and Reiki to create sessions that honor both Eastern wisdom and Western therapeutic foundations. He is currently deepening his training in Ayurvedic modalities and Craniosacral Therapy—a natural evolution of his lifelong commitment to integrative healing.
In addition to being a massage therapist for over a decade, Chris has also worked as a Massage Therapy Instructor at the National Holistic Institute and Carrington College where he taught students subject matter ranging from deep tissue techniques to anatomy and kinesiology, and from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Thai Massage. He also served as the former Spa Lead, Trainer/Developer, and HIPAA Compliance Officer at Root Whole Body, and as the prior Spa Manager of the Hand and Stone in NW Portland. Chris is excited to draw from these various experiences to support the growth of The Buddha's Medicine and specifically the massage team.
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Licensed Massage Therapist, Oregon (OBMT# 26324)
11+ years of professional massage therapy experience
3 years as a Massage Therapy Instructor at the National Holistic Institute
2+ years of spa management experience
Experience across integrative wellness centers, yoga studios, retreat centers, and private practice
Additional background in HIPAA compliance, staff training & development, and clinical operations
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B.A. Sociology, Kingston University, London, UK (2011)
Certification in Massage Therapy, Pacific College of Health and Science, Chicago, IL (2013)
Foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine principles
Certificate in Thai Massage, Sunshine School of Thai Massage, Chiang Mai, Thailand (2018)
Craniosacral Therapy I, Upledger Institute, Portland, OR (2023)
BLS, CPR & AED Certified, National CPR Foundation (2024)
Modalities & Training:
Swedish Massage
Deep Tissue
Thai Massage + Table Thai
Shiatsu
Trigger Point Therapy
Myofascial Release
Craniosacral Therapy
Hot Stone Massage
Reiki & Energy Work
PNF Stretching
Languages: English (Fluent), Spanish (Advanced Beginner), Japanese (Novice)
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Chris believes that healing is both an art and a practice—one that requires presence, skill, and an open heart. His fifteen years of yoga practice and Buddhist spiritual path inform every session, bringing a quality of grounded awareness that clients feel the moment they step into the treatment room.
Having trained across multiple traditions—from the meridian-based frameworks of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shiatsu to the sen lines of Thai massage and the subtle rhythms of Craniosacral work—Chris understands that the body holds wisdom that transcends any single system. He approaches each session with curiosity and respect, allowing the techniques to serve the person rather than imposing a rigid protocol.
Chris's years as an educator have refined his ability to truly see and respond to each individual's needs. Whether you seek deep, focused therapeutic work or a flowing, meditative session that quiets the mind, he adapts his approach to support your unique healing journey. His global travels and immersion in diverse healing traditions have given him both technical range and philosophical depth—a rare combination that serves our patients well.
At The Buddha's Medicine, Chris is excited to continue deepening his understanding of Ayurvedic principles, integrating this ancient wisdom into his already comprehensive toolkit. His presence on our team reflects our commitment to practitioners who are not only skilled clinicians but also genuine students of the healing arts.
“I was drawn to massage therapy due to its hands on approach to addressing imbalances at the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.
It weaves the intuitive with the logical, the spontaneous with the methodical. It is among the most pure modalities to approach healing - direct physical contact.
In an ever changing and often chaotic world, massage offers the necessary reprieve to help us relax, center, and access our best selves.”
— Chris Thurston, LMT
Get Scheduled
Receive 30% off your first visit using code: RELAX30
Specialties / Services
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
The foundation of Western massage therapy, Swedish massage uses flowing, gliding strokes and gentle tissue kneading to promote deep relaxation and improved circulation. Chris's Swedish work creates a meditative, rhythmic experience that calms the nervous system and invites the body to release accumulated tension. This session is ideal for those new to massage, seeking stress relief, or simply wanting to restore a sense of ease and well-being.
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
For those carrying chronic tension, muscular pain, or deeply held stress patterns, Chris's deep tissue work offers focused, firm pressure that reaches the body's deeper layers. Drawing on his training in trigger point therapy and myofascial release, he works methodically through areas of restriction to restore function and relieve pain. His approach is thorough yet attuned—always working with your body's responses to create lasting change without unnecessary discomfort.
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210| 120 minutes - $280
Rooted in centuries of Thai healing tradition, this dynamic bodywork combines rhythmic compressions, deep assisted stretches, and precise point work along the body's energy lines (sen). Chris trained in traditional Thai massage at the Sunshine School in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and brings authentic technique to every session. Thai massage increases mobility, decreases pain and tension, and leaves you feeling both energized and deeply relaxed. Sessions can be performed on a floor mat (traditional style) or adapted for the massage table based on your preference and comfort.
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
Drawing from Japanese healing traditions and his foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chris's Shiatsu sessions use rhythmic finger pressure, palm compressions, and gentle stretches to open and clear the body's meridian pathways. This meditative form of bodywork promotes deep relaxation while addressing energetic imbalances that may manifest as physical tension, fatigue, or emotional stagnation. Shiatsu is performed fully clothed and is ideal for those seeking a gentler yet profoundly effective approach to whole-body wellness.
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60 minutes - $140
Reiki is a gentle yet powerful form of energy healing that works with the body's subtle energy system to promote balance, relaxation, and healing on all levels—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Chris's Reiki sessions offer a quiet, meditative space for deep rest and energetic restoration. Whether you seek support for a specific concern or simply wish to experience greater ease and connection, energy work provides a complement to bodywork that honors the full spectrum of your being.
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
Fascia—the connective tissue that surrounds and interpenetrates every muscle, bone, and organ—can become restricted through injury, stress, or repetitive movement patterns. Chris's myofascial release work uses sustained, gentle pressure to soften these restrictions and restore the body's natural fluidity and alignment. This modality is particularly effective for chronic pain, postural imbalances, and conditions that haven't responded to traditional massage approaches. Sessions are slow, intentional, and deeply therapeutic.
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90 minutes - $210| 120 minutes - $280
For those who want the best of multiple modalities, Chris offers integrated sessions that draw fluidly from his full range of training. A session might begin with grounding Swedish strokes, move into focused deep tissue or trigger point work, incorporate Thai stretches or Shiatsu compressions, and close with gentle Craniosacral holds or Reiki. This customized approach allows Chris to respond to what your body needs in real-time, creating a truly personalized healing experience that honors the interconnected nature of body, mind, and spirit.
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Incorporated Modality | Full Sessions not offered at this time (See ‘Comprehensive Integrated Bodywork Session’ above!
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on modality that works with the subtle rhythms of the craniosacral system—the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Using light touch, Chris helps release restrictions that may contribute to pain, dysfunction, and diminished vitality. This deeply relaxing work supports the body's innate capacity for self-healing and is particularly beneficial for headaches, TMJ dysfunction, stress-related conditions, and nervous system regulation.
Chris trained through the Upledger Institute and continues to deepen his practice in this subtle yet powerful modality.
faq
Chris practices at The Buddha's Medicine in SE Portland, Oregon, where he brings over 11 years of integrative massage experience to the Laurelhurst neighborhood. His training in Swedish, deep tissue, Thai massage, Shiatsu, Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, and Traditional Chinese Medicine bodywork — along with studies in Chiang Mai, Thailand and ongoing Ayurvedic bodywork training — makes him a uniquely versatile therapist for the Portland community.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
