What is Chinese medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.) dates back to the period of emperor Huang Di, “the yellow emperor” <2674 – 2575 B.C.>. Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system making diagnosis, treating diseases, relieving complaints and acting in a preventive way and is being practised in present day China. Over 25% of the world’s population are being treated with Chinese Medicine.
The Chinese approach in viewing humans and their diseases, differs from Western Medicine. Thousands of years ago the Chinese were able to explain the functioning of the human body by observing nature. The difference consists by not focussing solely on the illness but instead on the ill person in its environment. Health is dependent on a good equilibrium, when unbalanced complaints may occur.
T.C.M. distinguishes twelve (12) main-meridians and eight (8) extra-meridians. These connect the various organs of the body. In a healthy person, energy and blood flow freely through the meridians. Diseases will occur once the energy stream is being blocked, slowed down or accelerated. The disharmony can be removed/lifted by treatment with Chinese medicines (herbs etc.), acupuncture, and tuïna (Chinese fysiotherapy) or a combination thereof.
Consult
During the first consult your ailments or complaints will be discussed thoroughly. During this interview you may expect questions concerning your sweat, stool, urine, appetite, hearing, thirst, old diseases, duration of your ailment, menses and use of medicines etc. The physical examination will mainly consist of the examination of your tongue and pulse (tongue- and pulse diagnosis).
Please be advised not to brush your tongue prior to the consult nor to eat or drink foods with strong colouring properties (coffee, red wine, candy etc.).
After the diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan will be drafted and discussed. If necessary, advice about a diet or style of living may be given. Dependent on the ailment, recommended treatment may consist of acupuncture, Chinese medicines or a combination thereof.
R. E. X. (Ray) Mariën
At the Shenzou Open University of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Amsterdam he studied under Prof. Dr. Yang and completed his studies in Chinese herbal medicine.
In order to gain experience and additional knowledge Ray attended a substantial amount of refresher courses in China and various other countries.
Ray Mariën is a member of “ZHONG”; a professional organisation of specialists in Chinese Medicine. He is also registered with “RBNG” for practitioners in natural healthcare.
Costs and restittutions
You do not need a referral from your physician for a consult with an (registered/recognised) acupuncturist/herbalist.
Ray Mariëns’ practice is a member of the recognised professional organisation ZHONG.
In most cases the costs for a consult or treatment at a recognised practice will be reimbursed (fully or partly) by your health insurance. Check with/on the site of ZHONG and your health insurance for information and conditions.
In order to maintain a simple and orderly administration you are asked to pay cash or via the pin machine. At the same time you will receive an invoice, which you may present to your health insurance.
The first consult (45-60 min.) costs € 80,= and
subsequent consults (30-45 min.) are charged at € 65,=.
De cost of Chinese herbal medicines are only reimbursed by very few health insurance companies. The costs of these medicines, depending on the herbal formula, vary between € 30 and € 50. A prescription lasts for approximately 3 weeks.
