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Cupping
Cupping is often described as the inverse of massage—instead of applying pressure to push muscles down, it uses gentle suction to lift them upward. This technique is considered one of the most effective deep-tissue therapies, with effects believed to reach up to four inches beneath the skin. Within this depth, toxins may be released, blockages cleared, and circulation in veins and arteries revitalized.
While cupping is often paired with acupuncture in a single session, it can also be used on its own. The suction and negative pressure help loosen tight muscles, improve blood flow, and calm the nervous system. Practitioners use cupping to address a variety of concerns, including back and neck pain, stiff muscles, migraines, fatigue, rheumatism, anxiety, and even the appearance of cellulite.
More benefits of Chinese cupping for the lungs include clearing congestion from a common cold or to help control a person’s asthma. In fact, respiratory conditions are one of the most common maladies that cupping is used to relieve.
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Cupping Only Appointments
Jakki Overby
2025-09-03
Acupuncture, Wellness
Vagus Nerve
What is the vagus nerve and how does it work with your nervous system?
The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that travels from the brain stem, into the neck, chest, and abdomen. Its main function is to provide the nervous system with information about how we are doing. If we use a car analogy, it is the brake of our nervous system.
The primary practice that I use to affect the vagus nerve and calm the nervous system is diaphragmatic breathing. Put one hand on your chest and the other one on your abdomen to feel where you are breathing. Ideally we want to decrease or still the movement under the hand on the chest. Under the hand on the abdomen, feel the rising and expansion as you inhale and an inward release on the exhale.
Robin Davidson
2025-07-25
Physical Therapy, Physiology, Wellness
Drink and eat your electrolytes!
When the weather heats up and we sweat more, we tend to rehydrate with plain water. While this generally a good practice, it is also good to remember to replace the minerals that were lost with sweat and flushed out with our increase in water consumption. This gives the kidneys a break and also keeps your muscles from cramping up.
My favorite way to rebalance:
My favorite way to rebalance is with a nice bowl of miso ramen (or soba). I start with homemade bone or veggie broth, grate in ginger, finely sliced Brussel’s sprout (just one), one or two sliced shitake mushrooms, a dash of soy sauce, and a dash of rice vinegar. Add a tablespoon of miso paste in at the end. Delicious and nourishing and comes together very quickly for days when heating up the kitchen seems like a terrible idea.
Alternatively, muddle some mint into a lemon or limeade and add a pinch of sea salt; sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt on your watermelon; eat a crunchy whole pickle. There are a ton of fun ways to rehydrate with food and fresh fruit in the summer when everything is so fresh! Get those electrolytes!
Jennifer Montgomery
2025-07-25
Recipes, Wellness
Acupuncture at Halcyon House
Licensed Acupuncturist Jakki Overby
Whether you’re new to acupuncture or a longtime believer in its benefits, we’re excited to have you here. If you are looking for professional acupuncture in Duluth, MN, you’ve found the right place.
Acupuncture, an essential component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for thousands of years to restore balance, reduce pain, and support overall health – naturally and holistically.
Primarily, acupuncture is widely used for pain relief. People often turn to it for chronic back and neck pain, arthritis, headaches, migraines, and even post-surgical discomfort. Its ability to reduce inflammation and improve circulation can offer lasting relief where other treatments fall short.
If you’re interested but not sure if acupuncture is right for you, schedule a free consultation.
More about Jakki
Acupuncture FAQ
Jakki Overby
2025-07-25
Acupuncture, Wellness