Key Treatment Methods at POPULUSS
POPULUSS has a wide variety of treatments and methods to specifically pinpoint your issue and best course of treatment, including acute and chronic conditions. You can schedule a consultation with Joe Recsnik L.Ac. and benefit from his experience to create your individualized treatment plan.
Chinese Herbal Medicine · Acupuncture · Cupping · Gua Sha · Moxibustion
Chinese Herbal Medicine
When formulated by a trained practitioner, such as Joe Recsnik L.Ac. of POPULUSS, Chinese herbal medicine has a synergistic effect to restore the balanced functioning of the body. Careful diagnosis occurs through rigorous study of the patient’s health history, reviewing all body functions, and utilizing the traditional methods of pulse and abdominal diagnosis (fukushin). Using these factors to identify a patient’s overall “pattern of disharmony”, the practitioner chooses which herbal combinations are most appropriate for the patient’s condition. Chinese herbal formulas can be formulated and prescribed for any condition a patient might take a pharmaceutical or over the counter medication for, without creating undesirable side effects.
Chinese Herbal Medicine treatment addresses a wide range of illnesses, injuries, diseases and disorders such as:
Acupuncture
POPULUSS practitioner Joe Recsnik, L.Ac. has nearly 20 years experience in acupuncture.
Acupuncture is the most popular and well-known technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the west. It’s a practice that involves the insertion of micro-thin needles at specific points on the body to unblock or promote the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qi is described as vital energy that flows throughout our bodies and is responsible for our physical, mental and emotional well being. When the flow of qi is blocked, or if a person is injured or undernourished then illness, pain, and/or an imbalance will manifest.
Cupping
Cupping is an ancestral Chinese therapy that has also been used in ancient Egyptian and Middle Eastern cultures. Many people were exposed to cupping when seeing purple circles on the body of Michael Phelps, the US Gold Medalist Olympic swimmer.
Cupping therapy uses cups, often made of glass, that are applied to the skin as a form of deep tissue massage. The suction releases muscle tension and alleviates Qi stagnation. Cupping also helps rejuvenate organs that are not operating at peak function. Cupping has been proven to help activate the lymphatic system, promote deep tissue repair and blood circulation.
Gua Sha
Gua sha is a healing technique of traditional East Asian medicine. Gua Sha (pronounced “GWAH-shah”) is also known as ‘coining, spooning or scraping’, literally meaning “scraping sha-bruises”. It is a traditional Chinese medical treatment in which the skin is lightly scraped to produce minimal bruising to stimulate circulation.
This type of practice removes blood stagnation and has been proven to reduce inflammation as it triggers a protective response from your immune system. The effects typically last for several days following a single treatment. Gua sha is ideal for immediate relief from pain, stiffness, fever, chill, cough, wheezing, nausea and vomiting. This technique releases tension, breaks up stagnation, and promotes the flow of blood and lymph. It is particularly helpful in addressing chronic pain, tightness in the neck and shoulders, tension headaches, and immune system imbalances.
Gua Sha can also be used in facial treatments to reduce puffiness, support collagen production, and enhance skin glow.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy that involves the burning of dried mugwort (moxa), a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. It’s used to improve energy flow and circulation, the method can be used directly to different body sites, indirectly, or in conjunction with acupuncture. Moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, strengthens the blood, stimulates the flow of Qi, and restore and/or maintain optimal health.
This method is particularly useful for expelling cold and dampness, warming the meridians, and boosting the immune system. It’s frequently recommended for individuals who feel cold easily, experience fatigue, menstrual cramps, joint pain, or digestive sluggishness. Moxibustion can be incredibly comforting and is often used alongside acupuncture to strengthen the body’s healing response. Many patients report a soothing, radiating warmth that continues even after the treatment ends, helping them feel energized and balanced.
Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years; the literal translation of the Chinese character for acupuncture is “acupuncture-moxibustion.”
“I’ve been receiving acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatments from Joe since 2022. He’s treated my bursitis, pinched nerves, stress, digestive problems, allergies and workout injuries – all with great success. I go to him first for all my health issues, and I drive 3 hours each way just to see him because I know I’ll get the care I need. Joe is patient, takes the time to understand what’s going on, and tailors his treatments to me. If you’re looking to try acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine for the first time, or if you’re a regular looking for an experienced practitioner to improve your health and well-being, Joe is your guy. Thanks Joe, for everything. ~A” – Aimee M. Bryan
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POPULUSS is your premier provider of Classical Chinese Medicine, incorporating Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, in Marina del Rey, Venice, and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area.
Specializing in: treatment of pain relief, neuropathy, sports medicine, migraines, stress/anxiety/depression, insomnia, infertility, PMS, menopause, allergies, indigestion, dermatology, Long Covid and more.