The Buddha's Medicine

The Buddha's Medicine Integrative Ayurvedic medicine focused on accessible, holistic, and individualized care.

Our aim is to bring the Eastern and Western healing arts together in simple, accessible ways. We seek to help prevent imbalance and illness in those who are well, and to support those who feel imbalanced or ill in their recovery. We offer these services as part of a complete healthy living framework as we strive towards this goal:

1) Ayurvedic consultation and treatment

Including the use of organic medicinal herbs in custom formulations, lifestyle and food as medicine, and manual pressure point therapy

2) Thai bodywork

Promoting optimal body clarity and function with gentle pressure, guided stretching, and deep relaxation

3) Yoga

Both the philosophy and practice, using healing meditations, exercises for body and breath, and approaches to self-reflection

A foundation and ongoing training in western medicine sets the stage, helping to fluidly bring the above three modalities into the context of living in today’s world.

We’d like to welcome our new Practice Manager, Grace Darazs, to our team! Grace is a recent Oregon State University grad...
03/06/2026

We’d like to welcome our new Practice Manager, Grace Darazs, to our team! Grace is a recent Oregon State University graduate with a degree in business administration & marketing. We are grateful for you, Grace - thanks for being with us!

03/06/2026

Abhyanga is a luxurious form of Ayurvedic massage that we offer at The Buddha’s Medicine. Abhyanga is thoughtfully choreographed, and it pairs very nicely with other Ayurvedic manual treatments our team offers.

Dr. Matt’s and Jamie’s established patients can use the SOCIAL20 discount code to receive 20%off of their first massage and bodywork appointment!

Explore our services in our website! https://www.thebuddhasmedicine.com/about/services/massage-therapy-bodywork

“In my years of practice as a medical doctor - and even though I have invested thousands of hours into study and practic...
03/05/2026

“In my years of practice as a medical doctor - and even though I have invested thousands of hours into study and practice - I’ve seen and observed many of the same trends and developments in our world that you all have. And one concerning health-related trend out there has become increasingly common among humans in general, but young people in particular. The symptoms of this trend might sound familiar: eye strain, disrupted sleep patterns, anxiety, disconnection from others, and disconnection from natural rhythms, just to name a few. These are symptoms of excessive screen exposure and technology overuse. And while these challenges have been developing since the mid-20th century, they’ve taken on a different character in our hyper-digital age. In particular, they have outsized impact on our youth, who grew up in (or are currently growing up in) this screen-centric world.”

To read more about how Ayurveda intertwines with technology, click on the original article in our bio! Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives deep into this topic in his blog: “Mindfulness and Technologies: How Ayurveda Can Help Your Family Find Digital Balance.”

The Living Seasons Project is a physician-guided seasonal preventive health and wellness program rooted in ritucharya — ...
03/01/2026

The Living Seasons Project is a physician-guided seasonal preventive health and wellness program rooted in ritucharya — the ancient Ayurvedic practice of aligning one’s lifestyle with the natural seasonal cycles and rhythms of the year. Led by Ayurvedic and integrative physician Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, this program brings you a practical, evidence-informed and tradition-rich approach for preventive well-being and essential self-treatment.

In the Ayurvedic system, there are six (6) seasons, each lasting about 61 days. For every one of these six seasons, you’ll receive care tools, guides, recipes, meditations, and other resources to thrive and feel your best. You’ll also get informed support during the critical transition period (sandhi) between each pair of seasons, as well as plenty of opportunities for community connection.

The deadline to register for our first season is April 11, 2026 at 11:59pm! There are different discounts and add-on options that can be explored on our website - which is linked in our bio! This program includes biweekly office hours with Dr. Matt, 8 weeks worth of content, and active seasonal guidance! If you’re seeing this post, use the code SOCIAL20 for a 20% discount off of your first season - or for a half-year or annual subscription!

Today we’re bidding a farewell of sorts to Jess Marie, our Practice Manager and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach of the past 2 ...
03/01/2026

Today we’re bidding a farewell of sorts to Jess Marie, our Practice Manager and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach of the past 2 years. Jess started work with Dr. Matt and The Buddha’s Medicine in February, 2024, and has worn many hats to develop The Buddha’s Medicine into what it is today.

Here is a message straight from Jess:

“It has been a true privilege to serve as Practice Manager and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach at The Buddha’s Medicine over the past two years. When I joined in February 2024, the practice was just beginning to take shape, and being part of its growth into the thriving, multidisciplinary clinic it is today has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my career.

I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Matt for his trust, mentorship, and friendship — and to every patient /client and team member who made this work so rewarding. Building something rooted in authentic Ayurvedic principles and genuine patient care has been an honor.

While I’m stepping back from day-to-day operations, I’m excited to continue collaborating with The Buddha’s Medicine as a creative consultant. I’m especially thrilled about The Living Seasons Project, which we’ve poured so much heart into, and I can’t wait for you all to experience the first cohort for Spring 2026.

The Buddha’s Medicine is in wonderful hands, and I look forward to watching — and contributing to — the next chapter of its story.”

Chris Thurston, our Lead Licensed Massage Therapist and Massage Administrator, brings over eleven years of massage thera...
02/25/2026

Chris Thurston, our Lead Licensed Massage Therapist and Massage Administrator, 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.

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. You can review his openings in our bio!

The Heart of the Matter Health Fair last weekend was a success! We appreciated everyone who came. Stay tuned for more op...
02/18/2026

The Heart of the Matter Health Fair last weekend was a success! We appreciated everyone who came. Stay tuned for more opportunities to network with this wonderful group of caring health professionals!

“Elizabeth Gilbert recently released a memoir in which she quotes Gabriel García Márquez: ‘Everyone has three lives: a p...
02/17/2026

“Elizabeth Gilbert recently released a memoir in which she quotes Gabriel García Márquez: ‘Everyone has three lives: a public life, a private life, and a secret life.’ Regardless of how you feel about Gilbert or her personal revelations (a topic for another time), she wasn’t wrong to name the multiple lives we all carry within us. Because the truth is, we show up as different parts of ourselves throughout the day. We adapt based on who we’re with, the context we’re in, or the state of our nervous system. In moments of distress, we even hide our vulnerable self to the world – performing a masked or protective version of ourselves instead, all in the name of survival. The truth is we play as many different people within one lifetime, and this is not a flaw; It’s a condition of being human.”

To read more about parts and internal family systems, click on the original article in our bio! Jamie Van Auken, MA dives deep into this topic in her blog: “Don’t Let Your Pigeon Drive the Bus: Parts, Internal Family Systems, and How to Get Yourself Home.”

This event is a chance to slow down, learn, and connect. Talk with caring professionals, ask real questions, and explore...
02/04/2026

This event is a chance to slow down, learn, and connect. Talk with caring professionals, ask real questions, and explore simple ideas that support your body and daily life. Whether you want to move better, feel stronger, or take a clear next step with your health, this is a relaxed space to start. Bring your family, meet your community, and leave with practical insight you can actually use.

Learn more about the health fair and the professionals you can meet there in the link in our bio! ”

“At the time of writing, I’ve walked both the path of western medicine and immersed myself in the ocean of Ayurvedic med...
02/04/2026

“At the time of writing, I’ve walked both the path of western medicine and immersed myself in the ocean of Ayurvedic medicine for over sixteen years. And over that course of time, I’ve seen a shift in how we understand human diversity, particularly when it comes to the wide spectrum of neurodiversity, and most especially in children. Part of the inspiration behind my journey from practicing conventional primary care to founding The Buddha’s Medicine comes from a deep conviction that every person - and especially every child - deserves healthcare that honors their unique neurological blueprint. No one should ever be crammed into a box that they don’t fit in.”

To learn more about Ayurveda in neurodiversity click on the original article in our bio! Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives deep into this topic in his blog: “Supporting Your Child’s Unique Nature: An Ayurvedic Perspective on Neurodiversity”.

“Whether you’re seeking a mini-retreat from the busy-ness and intensity of life or navigating complex health conditions,...
01/29/2026

“Whether you’re seeking a mini-retreat from the busy-ness and intensity of life or navigating complex health conditions, you’ve got a place to land and be tended to with us. Whether you’re casually physically active or a professional athlete, you’ll find yourself more physically functional after an appointment with us. Whether you’re working through every day aches and twinges or living with chronic pain, you’ll leave feeling some relief and positive change. If you’re in need of a safe, soothing, healing space - supported by healing touch - in which to process thoughts, feelings, and emotions, we’re the team for you.”

Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives into what prospective clients should know in his blog “Integrating Massage - Practical Information for Prospective Clients”. This is the last part of 4 blogs of his massage series! Original article is in our bio!

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Portland, OR

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