First consultation & intake (85 min)
Lily discusses your COVID history, energy levels, sleep pattern and current complaints. Based on this, she draws up a personal treatment plan. You receive your first treatment right away.
Acupuncture & Long COVID
Acupuncture for Long COVID in Amsterdam
Still exhausted, short of breath, or foggy months after your COVID infection? You're not alone — and there is an explanation. Lily Chen supports long COVID recovery with traditional Chinese medicine — in English, and covered by your Dutch health insurance.
15+ years of experience
Covered by insurance
Zhong & S.C.A.G registered
Long COVID & TCM
Why long COVID is so persistent — and what TCM does differently
Western medicine does not yet fully understand long COVID. TCM has a name for it: a post-illness pattern in which the virus itself is gone, but the pathogenic factor has weakened the body. The lungs — responsible in TCM for energy and immunity — become depleted, and the Kidney Jing, the body's deepest energy reserve, is affected.
This explains why patients are still exhausted months later, even after resting. Acupuncture works on these patterns: it resolves the remaining stagnation, restores the flow of Qi and activates the body's natural ability to heal itself.
The treatment
How acupuncture treats long COVID
Qi & energy restoration
Lily places fine needles on lung and kidney points to restore Wei Qi (defensive energy) and the deep Jing reserves. This reduces post-exertional malaise and the structural fatigue that characterises long COVID patients.
Brain fog & nervous system
Treating the heart and liver meridians regulates the autonomic nervous system, supports cognitive clarity and eases the typical "switched on but not present" feeling. Many patients report a noticeable improvement in concentration after the first few sessions.
Moxibustion for deep exhaustion
Long COVID patients often show Yang deficiency: cold, depleted, emotionally exhausted. Lily adds moxibustion to warm the body from within and speed up energy recovery — particularly effective for patients who still can't seem to warm up months later.
Conditions
Which complaints do we treat?
Not sure whether acupuncture suits your complaint? Get in touch — Lily is happy to advise, free of obligation.
Your treatment plan
What to expect at Tianyi
Follow-up treatments (60 min)
Long COVID typically requires 8–12 sessions. Pace and intensity are adjusted to your capacity — for patients with post-exertional malaise (PEM), we build up extra carefully.
Combination where needed
Depending on your pattern, Lily adds moxibustion, cupping or gua sha. This is always decided together with you and matched to your energy levels.
Maintenance & monitoring
After the treatment plan, we review your progress together. Many patients opt for monthly maintenance sessions to prevent relapse and keep their energy levels stable.
Pricing
Treatment duration & cost
| Session | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| First visit (incl. consultation & treatment plan) | 85 min | €100 |
| Follow-up treatment | 60 min | €90 |
| Extended session | 90 min | €105 |
Add-ons: Add cupping · +€15 | Add gua sha · +€15
✓ Reimbursed by most Dutch supplementary insurance plans — Zhong NVTCG & S.C.A.G registered. Simply submit the invoice to your insurer after treatment. More about insurance →
Your practitioner
Lily van Wijngaarde-Chen
15+ years of clinical experience with recovery support and chronic fatigue
Specialised training under Dr. Cong Zhang — specialist in chronic pain
Zhong NVTCG & S.C.A.G registered
Extensive experience with post-viral fatigue and long COVID recovery
Reviews
What patients say about long COVID treatment
★★★★★ 4.9
★★★★★
"After eight months of long COVID I felt like I would never be myself again. Lily helped me get my energy back, step by step."
★★★★★
"The brain fog was the worst part. After four treatments I could think clearly again. I wish I'd done this sooner."
★★★★★
"I was afraid acupuncture would make my PEM worse. Lily paced it perfectly. Not a single setback."
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about acupuncture for long COVID
Can acupuncture really help with long COVID?
Acupuncture does not cure long COVID, but it supports recovery from fatigue, sleep problems and nervous system dysregulation. International research shows growing evidence for acupuncture in post-viral conditions. Many of Lily's patients report significant improvement after a full course of treatment.
How many treatments do I need for long COVID?
This varies per person and per complaint profile. Most patients notice improvement after 3–4 sessions. A full long COVID treatment plan typically requires 8–12 sessions, followed by maintenance sessions.
I have post-exertional malaise (PEM) — is acupuncture safe?
Yes, provided your practitioner is aware of it. Lily adjusts the intensity and duration of treatment to your capacity, and overexertion is actively avoided. Let her know your PEM threshold at intake.
Is treatment covered by my Dutch health insurance?
Yes, under most supplementary (aanvullende) insurance plans. Tianyi is Zhong NVTCG & S.C.A.G registered — the accreditations your insurer requires. After each treatment you receive an invoice with an AGB code to submit for reimbursement.
Can I combine acupuncture with my GP or a rehabilitation programme?
Absolutely. Acupuncture works well alongside medical care or rehabilitation. Let Lily know at intake which other treatments you are following, so she can align the plan accordingly.
Ready to support your long COVID recovery?
Book an appointment today. Your first session is always a getting-to-know-you visit — including intake and a personal treatment plan.