Holistic and integrative treatments like acupuncture and cupping have been around for centuries, but only in the past few years have they become more mainstream and accessible. Recently, new wellness space Seyhart opened its doors in Santa Monica and is offering a variety of Eastern healing practices to improve people’s health and well-being.

Spa Profile: Seyhart

Over the years, I’ve had acupuncture and cupping to successfully treat various issues, but good places that offer quality services aren’t always easy to find. I previously drove to Westlake Village on a regular basis to receive acupuncture from an incredible therapist I found, but it was almost a one-hour drive one way from where I live and the commute proved to be quite taxing after a while.

Nonetheless, I remained a loyal client until she ended up closing her practice to pursue another area of wellness, but then was tasked with finding another acupuncturist. So when I learned about Seyhart (which is much closer to where I live), needless to say, I was ecstatic and could not wait to get in for a service!

COVID-19 Safety Updates and Protocols:

• Seyhart’s safety protocols are focused on masking, ventilation, and disinfection of surfaces

• Guests’ temperatures are checked prior to their entry to the spa

• Guests (and staff) are also ask to complete a COVID-19 screening questionnaire

• Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the spa

Here’s what you’ll love about Seyhart: 

• It’s located in Santa Monica, a vibrant coastal city in Los Angeles, and is walking distance to numerous stores, restaurants, and attractions

• The chic yet simplistic wellness space features a soothing and bright interior that is designed to inspire and relax

• There is also a retail area that carries a variety of wellness and self-care brands including Pursoma and Erbaviva

• Seyhart was founded by a team of Western medicine-trained physicians who have years of experience caring for patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases, and fills the need for a preventive and whole-person approach to health care

• A team of physicians and Asian medical experts offer Eastern-inspired healing services including acupuncture, cupping, gua sha and tuina

• Memberships are available and include multiple sessions per month plus 10% off retail items

Seyhart is located less than 10 minutes from downtown Santa Monica and the beach, and is within walking distance to numerous restaurants and stores, which makes it super convenient. In addition to a few parking spaces in the back, there is also metered parking in the front, but because Santa Monica is a busy area, I highly recommend arriving a few minutes early in order to give yourself enough time to find a spot.

After landing a parking space right in front (score!), I headed inside and was promptly greeted by a friendly attendant who took my temperature and had me fill out a brief COVID-19 questionnaire, which is part of Seyhart’s required safety protocol. There was also a hand sanitizer machine located just inside the front door, in case anyone forgets to bring their own sanitizer or wants to clean their hands again.

While I waited for my appointment to begin, I spent a few minutes browsing the retail area, which carried various wellness and self-care brands that I like, including Pursoma (an amazing bath line!)

#BeautyBoss: Shannon Vaughn, Founder of Pursoma

I was also impressed by Seyhart’s aesthetic and interior design—it was bright, cheery and simplistic, featuring panels of light natural wood along the walls for an organic and relaxing effect. Some acupuncture clinics and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) spaces tend to feel more medical and less inviting, but Seyhart manages to maintain a chic atmosphere reminiscent of an upscale spa even though it doesn’t offer traditional spa services or amenities.

One of the main services that Seyhart offers is acupuncture, which is a form of TCM that involves placing very thin needles in specific points across the body to increase circulation and stimulate the movement of energy (also known as qi) throughout the body.

Acupuncture is an ancient practice originating from China that can be used to treat a wide range of concerns ranging from digestive issues and migraines to pain relief. Different acupuncture treatments are available at Seyhart depending on what you’re looking for. Offerings include:

• The Serenity: For achieving calm and releasing anxiety

• The Vitality: To energize when you feel fatigued

• The Foundation: Support in recovery and restoration when health needs a boost

• The Gleam: When you need your inner beauty to shine and vibrancy to surface through your skin

• The Recovery: To expel toxins and promote healing when you need peak performance

Another service that Seyhart offers is Tuina, a form of TCM that consists of a firm massage-like experience that involves pressing, rubbing, and kneading the body’s soft tissues. If you’re not a fan of needles or would like another alternative, Tuina offers similar benefits to acupuncture and also stimulates the body’s energy, enhances blood flow to release toxins, and nourishes the body and organs. It can also be combined with cupping or gua sha for enhanced wellness benefits.

Numerous add-ons are also available at Seyhart and can be added to any service. They include glass cupping, which is the placement of heated cups on the body to get rid of toxins and improve circulation; facial acupuncture, which improves skin’s appearance and quality by stimulating collagen production and enhances circulation; as well as gua sha (my personal favorite), which consists of a scraping motion performed with a massage tool that helps move energy and circulation in the body to release toxins.

I thought I’d seen and tried it all as a beauty and wellness editor, but this was my first time hearing about Tuina, so I was eager to give it a try. If you’re looking to get the best of both worlds, Seyhart also offers combined services:

• The Balance (Tuina + Cupping)

• The Harmony (Tuina + Gua Sha)

It was time for my appointment to begin and my therapist came to greet me before leading me down the hall to a treatment room. He asked me what areas I would like to focus on, and since I spend a lot of time hunched over my desk typing and using my right hand, I tend to experience more tension and overall tightness in my upper back, neck and shoulder area, as well as my right hand and arm.

Because we were focusing on my upper body for the treatment, I only had to remove my shirt and lied face down on the massage bed. My therapist applied a light oil across my back and began to perform the Tuina treatment. Because I had opted for the Gua Sha add-on, he used the tools throughout the treatment since my muscles were so tight.

Tuina isn’t your typical massage—unlike a standard Swedish massage, which is designed to relax and soothe muscles, Tuina helps release tension, removes toxins, and improve circulation while stimulating energy. My therapist used the Gua Sha tool to repeatedly press on and smooth out various knots in my muscles, and while it felt quite firm at first, with repeated strokes it actually felt quite good to have him get into those hard-to-reach spots. I knew my muscles would thank me afterwards!

My therapist warned me that I may experience some redness of my skin after the treatment due to the repeated rubbing and scraping with the Gua Sha tool, but I didn’t notice any major redness afterwards and was good to go! My muscles felt much softer and looser after my service, and while they were slightly sore that evening, I slept extra well that night and woke up feeling great the next day.

Depending on what physical issues and areas of concern you’re looking to treat, Tuina can be performed on a regular weekly basis to help improve tight muscles and knots, structural misalignment, sports injuries, and more. My therapist recommended coming in once a week for several weeks until all of my arm and hand tension was gone, then scaling back to every other week and eventually once a month for maintenance.

Based on the experience I had, I would gladly return for regular sessions. I really enjoyed the Tuina and gua sha combination, but I’m also interested in trying the cupping with Tuina next time I come in. Whether you’re a fan of Eastern-inspired healing methods or you’re curious and would like to learn more, I highly recommend giving Seyhart a try. Not only will you feel relaxed afterwards, but you’ll also be taking a step in the right direction for improving your long-term health.

Cost: The Harmony — Tuina + Gua Sha ($120/25 min)

Insider Tip: Arrive 15 minutes early to give yourself enough time to find parking. Seyhart has a couple of parking spaces in the back, along with limited meter parking in the front.

Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday)

Address: 2629 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Phone: 310-310-8775

Email: info@seyhart.com

For more information and to book a service, visit the website. Follow on Instagram: @seyhart_wellness

[Images by Kamala Kirk]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk