Anu Paavola
B.Sc (Hons) Ayurveda, MAPA
Functional Health Educator | Pain Management Specialist | Ayurvedic Practitioner | Author & Speaker
Bridging traditional medicine with contemporary pain science to advance a more integrated, systems-based approach to health and wellbeing.
Anu Paavola is a London-based functional health educator, Ayurvedic practitioner, author and pain management specialist with nearly two decades of experience in clinical practice, health education and integrative wellbeing.
Her work brings together the principles of traditional Ayurvedic medicine and contemporary scientific understanding of chronic pain, nervous system regulation, gut health and circadian biology. Central to her approach is the recognition that health is governed by interconnected physiological systems and that lasting improvements in wellbeing require an understanding of the relationships between them.
From Traditional Medicine to Contemporary Pain Science
Anu’s professional journey began with a BSc (Hons) in Ayurvedic Medicine, including extensive clinical training in hospitals in Karnataka, India. Working alongside experienced Ayurvedic physicians, she gained first-hand experience in the management of complex and chronic health conditions, developing an appreciation for the importance of individualised care, prevention and the relationship between lifestyle and disease.
This experience established the foundations of her clinical philosophy: to understand the person and the physiological processes contributing to illness, rather than focusing exclusively on symptoms.
Building on her clinical experience, Anu has pursued postgraduate studies in Chronic Pain Management at University College London (UCL), expanding her expertise in pain neuroscience, biopsychosocial approaches and contemporary pain management.
Her particular area of interest is the relationship between chronic pain, gastrointestinal function and circadian regulation. Her academic research explores how interactions between the enteric nervous system, immune signalling, autonomic regulation and biological rhythms may contribute to persistent pain and offer opportunities for more integrated management strategies.
Clinical Practice & Functional Pain Management
As the founder of Jivita Ayurveda, established in London’s Kensal Rise in 2011, Anu has developed a multidisciplinary wellbeing centre combining clinical consultations, therapeutic bodywork, lifestyle interventions and education.
Her clinical work increasingly focuses on chronic pain and complex functional health conditions, particularly where persistent symptoms involve interactions between the nervous system, digestion, stress physiology and lifestyle.
Drawing on both traditional clinical knowledge and contemporary research, Anu takes a systems-based, person-centred approach. Her work incorporates pain education, nervous system regulation, circadian alignment, movement, nutrition and hands-on therapeutic interventions to support improved function and quality of life.
Rather than viewing chronic pain as an isolated symptom, she explores the broader physiological and behavioural factors that may influence pain sensitivity and recovery.
Education, Community Engagement & the Jivita Academy
Education has always been central to Anu’s professional mission.
Through the Jivita Academy of Ayurveda, she has developed and delivered professional training programmes in Ayurvedic therapies, nutrition, lifestyle management and traditional health principles.
Her teaching philosophy combines respect for Ayurveda’s traditional foundations with an emphasis on critical thinking, clinical application and relevance to contemporary health challenges.
Alongside professional education, Anu is committed to making health knowledge accessible at a grassroots level. Through community workshops, introductory courses, meditation sessions, public lectures and retreats, she helps individuals understand how everyday choices influence their health.
Her educational work increasingly incorporates contemporary pain science, empowering people to better understand persistent pain and develop practical self-management skills.
Anu is also the author of Ayurveda Detox (2021), which introduces readers to Ayurvedic principles of cleansing, nutrition and lifestyle regulation.
Corporate Wellbeing & Public Speaking
Anu extends her educational work into the corporate sector, delivering talks, workshops and wellbeing programmes designed to translate complex health science into practical strategies for everyday working life.
Her corporate experience includes delivering a three-day health and wellbeing coaching programme for Sotheby’s, bringing her approach to functional health into a professional workplace environment.
Through engaging, accessible and science-informed presentations, Anu helps organisations foster greater health awareness, support employee wellbeing and encourage sustainable approaches to workplace performance.
A Commitment to Integrative Health Education
At the heart of Anu’s work is a commitment to making sophisticated health concepts understandable and applicable.
Her professional perspective has evolved from traditional Ayurvedic clinical practice towards a broader integration of pain science, functional physiology and preventive health education. Addressing all her audiences, her objective remains consistent:
To empower people with the knowledge and practical tools to understand their bodies, improve their health and take a more active role in their long-term wellbeing.