Acupuncture

Upgrade Acupuncture

Upgrade Acupuncture is an extended acupuncture session in which your practitioner combines acupuncture with an additional technique, such as moxa, cupping, electro-acupuncture or facial acupuncture, chosen to suit you.

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Background

Understanding Upgrade Acupuncture

01
Traditional Background

Why Combine Techniques?

Traditional Chinese Medicine has always used acupuncture alongside other therapies. The classical texts describe needles, moxibustion and other methods as complementary tools, each suited to different patterns: warmth for cold and deficiency, cupping for stagnation and tension, and so on.
Upgrade Acupuncture follows this approach. Rather than a set routine, your practitioner assesses you at each visit and chooses which technique to add to your acupuncture, so the session can be tailored to how you are feeling on the day.
Moxagentle warmth for cold or deficient patterns
Cuppingsuction for tight muscles and stagnation
Electromild electrical stimulation through the needles
Facialfine needles to support the skin
Figure 1. Techniques your practitioner may combine with acupuncture.
02
Modern Scientific Perspective

How Does Upgrade Acupuncture Work?

The core of every session is acupuncture. Fine needles stimulate nerves in the skin and muscle, which is thought to influence how the nervous system processes pain and stress. The added technique is chosen to complement this.
Assessment
by your practitioner
AcupunctureFine needles at points chosen for your concerns.
Added techniqueMoxa, cupping, electro-acupuncture or facial acupuncture where appropriate.
Rest & reviewTime to relax, then a check on how you feel and plans for next time.
Figure 2. What an Upgrade Acupuncture session typically involves.
The best research evidence for acupuncture is in chronic pain. A large individual patient data meta-analysis found that acupuncture performed better than both sham and no acupuncture for chronic pain, although the difference compared with sham was modest^[1]. Evidence for the individual add-on techniques is more limited and varies between them.
Acupuncture by trained practitioners is generally safe: a large UK survey of over 34,000 treatments by traditional acupuncturists reported no serious adverse events^[2].

References

Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain. 2018;19(5):455–474. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005
MacPherson H, Thomas K, Walters S, Fitter M. The York acupuncture safety study: prospective survey of 34 000 treatments by traditional acupuncturists. BMJ. 2001;323(7311):486–487. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7311.486

Your session

What you need to know

1Before your treatment

What to Prepare

If you have any medical reports, examination or test results, feel free to bring them with you. They can help us better understand your condition, but they are not necessary.
Please let your practitioner know if you are pregnant, take blood-thinning medication, bruise easily, have a pacemaker or other implanted device (relevant to electro-acupuncture), reduced skin sensation, or are sensitive to smoke.
2During your treatment

What to Expect
- Wear comfortable clothing and avoid coming very hungry or overly full.
- Your practitioner will check how you are and decide which technique to combine with your acupuncture.
- Fine needles are inserted at the chosen points. You may feel tingling, warmth or a dull ache.
- The added technique is then applied. Your practitioner will explain what to expect before they begin.
- Tell your practitioner at any time if anything feels uncomfortable.
3After your treatment

Aftercare
- Keep the treatment area clean and dry.
- Avoid vigorous exercise for 24 hours after the treatment.
- Keep hydrated.
If cupping is included, it usually leaves round marks that can take up to two weeks to fade. Your practitioner will give you any specific aftercare advice for the technique used.

Who can benefit

Who Upgrade Acupuncture is for

Upgrade Acupuncture suits people who would like a longer, more tailored session. These are some of the common reasons our patients choose it.

Muscle tension & back pain

Acupuncture with cupping or electro-acupuncture is often chosen for tight, aching muscles.

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Neck & shoulder pain

Many patients choose a combined session for stiffness from desk work or stress.

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Always feeling cold

Acupuncture with moxa is traditionally used for people who feel the cold easily.

Painful periods

Moxa with acupuncture is often chosen for cramping period pain eased by warmth.

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Skin & complexion

Adding facial acupuncture lets you look after your skin in the same visit.

Fatigue & low energy

A longer session is often chosen by people who feel run-down.

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Stress & poor sleep

Many patients use the extra time to relax deeply.

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Your practitioner will assess which techniques are right for you at your consultation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Basic and Upgrade Acupuncture?

Upgrade Acupuncture is a longer session in which acupuncture is combined with an additional technique, such as moxa, cupping, electro-acupuncture or facial acupuncture, chosen by your practitioner.

Can I choose which technique is added?

You are welcome to tell us your preferences. Your practitioner will recommend what they feel is most suitable for you and explain why.

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture does not usually hurt; most people feel a dull, tingling sensation. Each added technique has its own sensation, such as warmth with moxa or suction with cupping, and your practitioner will adjust it to your comfort.

How often should I have treatment?

It depends on you and your condition. Your practitioner will suggest how often to come and how many sessions may be helpful after your first consultation.

Still have a question? Ask our practitioners.