AYURVEDIC MASSAGE WITH KARA
Specialities: Relaxation Massage, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Cupping Therapy
GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST VISIT WITH CODE: RELAX30
Availability notice
As we move through August, our massage therapy schedule will have more limited availability as several of our massage therapists take well-deserved time off to rest and recharge. As a result, appointment openings may be more limited than usual, and wait times may be longer.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. If you're hoping to schedule a massage this month, we encourage booking as early as possible or joining our waitlist so we can contact you if an appointment becomes available.
Thank you for your flexibility and for trusting us with your care. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Kara Cooper, Licensed Massage Therapist
GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST VISIT WITH CODE: KARA30
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Kara brings nearly a decade of dedicated bodywork experience and over 10,000 hours of hands-on practice to The Buddha's Medicine. Her work integrates the physical, mental, and energetic dimensions of healing—an approach that aligns beautifully with our clinic's commitment to whole-person care.
Kara's intuitive, goal-focused style adapts to each individual who walks through our doors. Whether you arrive seeking relief from chronic tension, support during pregnancy, or simply a restorative pause from daily life, she meets you exactly where you are. Her patients describe her sessions as both invigorating and deeply balancing—leaving them feeling whole, grounded, and genuinely cared for.
With training spanning neuromuscular therapy, energy work, herbalism, and somatic modalities like dermoneuromodulation, Kara embodies the integrative spirit at the heart of The Buddha's Medicine. She takes your concerns seriously, bringing both compassion and clinical precision to every session.
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Licensed Massage Therapist, Oregon (OBMT# 24338)
10,000+ hours of professional massage therapy experience
Nearly 10 years of clinical practice across diverse therapeutic settings
Experience in integrative medicine clinics, chiropractic settings, and wellness centers
Specialized work with complex cases including clients with Multiple Sclerosis and mobility limitations
Background in clinical documentation and insurance-based care coordination
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Swedish Massage Certification, Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy (2016)
Licensed Massage Therapist, State of Oregon
CPR Certified
Advanced Training & Modalities:
Neuromuscular Therapy
Deep Tissue Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Hot Stone Massage
Pregnancy Massage
Reflexology
Reiki & Energy Work
Silicone Cupping Therapy
Dermoneuromodulation (DNM)
Sports Massage
Herbalism
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Kara believes that true healing happens when we honor the interconnected nature of body, mind, and spirit. Her therapeutic philosophy is grounded in the understanding that each person carries a unique story within their body's tissues—and that attentive, skilled touch can help release what no longer serves them, while restoring balance and vitality.
Her approach is both intuitive and intentional. Kara listens deeply—not only to what you share verbally, but to what your body communicates throughout your session. This allows her to adapt her techniques in real-time, ensuring you receive exactly what you need in each moment. Whether employing the firm, targeted pressure of neuromuscular work or the subtle energetics of Reiki, she moves fluidly between modalities to serve your highest good.
At The Buddha's Medicine, Kara's work complements the integrative care model beautifully. Her sessions embody the Ayurvedic principle that healing is not merely the absence of disease, but the presence of balance—physical ease, mental clarity, and energetic harmony. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space where you can release tension, reconnect with your body's innate wisdom, and leave feeling more like yourself.
You can trust in Kara's adaptive nature and that you will receive the manual care that is best for you.
Get Scheduled
Receive 30% off your first visit using code: KARA30
Specialties / Services
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
Surrender to deep relaxation with this nurturing full-body massage. Kara incorporates flowing Swedish techniques, gentle energy work, aromatic essential oils, and soothing heat therapy to quiet the nervous system and restore inner peace. This session is designed for those seeking refuge from stress, a reset for the mind, or simply the gift of intentional rest. You'll leave feeling blissed out, grounded, and renewed.
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
For those carrying chronic pain, persistent tension, or the accumulated stress of daily life, this therapeutic work goes beneath the surface to address those issues. Kara combines deep tissue techniques with neuromuscular therapy, silicone cupping, targeted stretching, and heat therapy to release stubborn holding patterns and restore functional ease. Her approach is firm yet attuned—she works with your body, never against it. You'll experience both profound release and deep relaxation, leaving with greater freedom of movement and lasting relief.
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
Pregnancy is a profound journey of transformation, and your body deserves compassionate support along the way. Kara's prenatal massage honors the many changes your body navigates during this sacred time. Using specialized side-lying positioning, supportive pregnancy pillows, and gentle yet effective techniques, she helps ease common discomforts—back pain, swelling, tension, and fatigue—while creating a nurturing space for you to connect with your changing body. Continue the practice of self-care throughout your pregnancy; you and your baby deserve this restorative pause.
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
Whether you're training for competition, recovering from an event, or simply maintaining an active lifestyle, sports massage supports your body's performance and recovery needs. Kara's sports massage combines deep tissue work, targeted stretching, and specialized techniques to address muscle fatigue, prevent injury, and optimize athletic function. Her goal-oriented approach ensures your session is tailored to your specific sport, training phase, and recovery goals.
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45 minutes - $150
The feet hold a map of the entire body! Reflexology is an Eastern healing modality that works with specific reflex points on the feet to bring balance and harmony to corresponding organs and systems throughout the body. Kara's reflexology sessions offer more than relaxation—they support whole-body wellness, improve circulation, and can address specific concerns like plantar fasciitis and chronic foot pain. Give your hardworking feet the attention they deserve and experience the blissful, rebalancing effects that ripple through your entire being.
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Add-on or standalone session.
$25 Add-On | 30 minutes for $70 | 60 minutes - $140
Feel the subtle yet profound healing power of energy work. Reiki is a Japanese healing modality practiced for thousands of years, working with the body's energetic system to restore balance, release blockages, and support healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Kara's energy work sessions offer a gentle yet powerful complement to bodywork—or a deeply restorative experience on their own. Whether you arrive with a specific intention or simply seek greater ease and connection, you'll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more aligned with your own vital energy.
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Add-on or standalone session.
$25 Add-On | 30 minutes for $70 | 60 minutes - $140
Silicone cupping offers a powerful complement to massage therapy, using gentle suction to lift and separate tissue layers, increase blood flow, and release deeply held tension. This modality is particularly effective for chronic pain, tight muscles, and areas that don't respond to pressure alone. Kara integrates cupping seamlessly into therapeutic sessions or offers it as a focused treatment for specific concerns. Experience the unique sensation and lasting relief that cupping provides.
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60 minutes - $140 | 90 minutes - $210
For those seeking comprehensive care, Cassandra offers integrated sessions that draw fluidly from her full range of training—myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, Tuina, lymphatic techniques, and meridian balancing. This customized approach allows her to respond to what your body needs in the moment, creating a truly personalized healing experience. Whether you arrive with specific therapeutic goals or simply want to feel more balanced and whole, this session offers the time and space for deep, meaningful bodywork.
“I am passionate about self care and aware that we are all on our own healing journeys; I am honored to help you along your healing path. Through my own growth, pain, and experiences, I've been inspired to assist others using natural modalities. I wants to offer you my empathy and understanding as I help you release what your body is holding onto. I am also grateful to be able to provide the individualized potent healing that Ayurvedic medicine brings.”
— Cassandra Cantu, LMT
faq
Kara practices at The Buddha's Medicine in SE Portland, Oregon, bringing nearly a decade and over 10,000 hours of bodywork experience to the Laurelhurst neighborhood. Specializing in deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, pregnancy massage, reflexology, cupping, and Reiki, Kara offers intuitive, goal-focused sessions that address physical, mental, and energetic dimensions of healing for clients across the Portland metro area.
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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.
