Acupuncture Response is an initiative of professional registered acupuncturists offering free, or low cost, treatments to those directly affected by local or national disasters.
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Background: Acupuncture Response was established after the March 15 2019 terrorist attack against the Christchurch mosques and the Muslim community. Acupuncturists in Christchurch experienced the devastating earthquakes in 2010-2011 and established three free drop-in clinics to administer trauma relief acupuncture within communities that were adversely affected in the suburbs of Lyttelton, Linwood, and New Brighton. In 2019 the city was still recovering from the earthquake stress with increased mental and physical health issues. These include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, increased cardiac conditions, a large increase in irritable bowel issues, insomnia, and depression.
When the attack on the mosques took place, with the loss of 51 lives and another 50 injured, acupuncturists again stepped forward to offer support and free treatments to those directly affected. It was recognised that in this instance a flexible, practical, purposeful and sustainable model was needed to offer support to the diverse population that was affected, which includes refugees, migrants, members of the established Muslim community, as well as the first responders who witnessed and helped save lives.
Free acupuncture treatments were available from professional acupuncturists in their private clinics across the city.
Health providers, primary support workers and those affected could directly book into their local or preferred practitioners using the link below.
Adaptability is key in response efforts, each community has different context and needs. Acupuncture Response is one adaptive effort to support recovery from the tangible and intangible impacts of traumatic events.