How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture has been used for over 2000 years in the treatment of conditions that affect the body, mind, and spirit. The integrative approach of acupuncture therapy, using the body's own physiology, creates holistic healing and wellness.

Acupuncture, in combination with other mental health treatments, can be a valuable tool in helping individuals improve emotional regulation, overall mood, boosts energy and overall feelings of well-being. Specifically, acupuncture enhances emotional health by stimulating the release of endorphins which act as a natural pain killer and activate the pleasure centers in the brain. It also reduces the levels of cortisol, a stress chemical in the body, increases levels of serotonin, a happy hormone, and regulates the autonomic nervous system which controls our fight-or-flight response. It even produces an anti-inflammatory response through the immune system to reduce chronic inflammation in the body. Most people find acupuncture to be a very relaxing process and some even fall asleep during the treatment. Acupuncture has no major side effects. It can be combined with other therapies and medications. And, it can be used safely by pregnant women and children.

What Does Acupuncture Treat?

  • Pain

  • Stress

  • Chronic illness

  • Mental health

  • Women’s health

  • Sleep disorders

  • Digestive issues

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • PTSD

  • Grief

  • Addiction

  • OCD

  • PMS

  • Post-partum

  • Menopausal symptoms

  • And more…

Treatment Offerings

Acupuncture is available at our Duluth location only.

Sessions can include many aspects of Chinese medicine such as herbal medicine, heat therapy, e-stim, and more.

INDIVIDUAL • 1-1.5 hours • First appointment: $120, Follow up: $80 • Package of 6 sessions for $440 paid upfront

Bodywork and cupping • 20 min • Add-on: $40

Insurance Accepted

Please note that each acupuncture session is equivalent to 3 units for insurance purposes.

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid

  • Medicaid

  • UCare

  • HealthPartners

  • United Health Care

  • Surest

  • Cigna

  • Medica

Our Practitioner, Serenity Walker, L.Ac., MSOM

Serenity completed her master’s degree in acupuncture and herbal medicine at Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, NM. She has more than 10 years of experience as a Licensed Acupuncturist in Minnesota with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, and she is nationally certified as an Oriental Medicine practitioner by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Upon landing in Minnesota, Serenity completed the Integrative Health Practitioner Program at Allina’s Penny George Institute in Minneapolis. Over the last 12 years, she has worked side-by-side with chiropractors, herbalists and other alternative health practitioners such as Dr. Shannon May, ND, L.Ac. of Duluth and most recently as a member of the Integrative Medicine department at Essentia Health. Serenity has a strong commitment to making acupuncture and Chinese medicine more accessible to our northeast Minnesota community, and she is one of the only Acupuncturists in private practice who will accept insurance. She also offers fee-reduced group acupuncture, in addition to cash-based private sessions.

Serenity also has a strong passion for working with trauma-based populations in Duluth, and has volunteered her time and services to help others at Safe Haven, CASDA, AICHO, CHUM, Damiano Center, Duluth Firefighters, Duluth Police Officers, and Duluth City Employees. She firmly believes in the healing abilities of acupuncture to help alleviate stress and balance the body, mind and spirit.

Serenity is a native of Austin, Texas. In her free time, Serenity stays busy taking care of her four young children, and loves to be out and about in the community, whether it is paddle-boarding on Lake Superior, hiking the Lake Superior Trail or watching a UMD hockey game. She is most at home in nature, hiking, biking, boating, camping, and gardening. She also enjoys travel, live music, dance, the creative arts, and growing her spiritual practice through church, yoga and meditation.