Health Care Practitioners Gather to Heal Christchurch

Health Care Practitioners Gather to Heal Christchurch

Press Release 5/11/13

The ongoing and arguably the growing needs of the people of Christchurch for support in stress related illnesses are not going unnoticed. In March 2012, 70 health care practitioners gathered for a weekend and set up in the Geo-domes of Hagley Park, to participate in Heal Christchurch and delivered 2000 free treatments to over 1100 visitors. This weekend, they are returning to repeat the exercise and will be based at the YMCA Christchurch.

Three years on from the beginning of the earthquake turmoil and the needs of the people of Christchurch have not dissipated. News articles announcing statistics relating to the number of antidepressants being prescribed and divorce rates, sit alongside proclamations of how many insurance claims have been settled or disputed.

Travelling from afar afield as California, Box Hill and Toowoomba in Australia, Auckland, Wellington, Nelson and Cromwell, health care practitioners are making their way at their own expense to join their Christchurch colleagues in gifting treatments. Their modalities include chiropractic, naturopathic, herbal medicine and therapeutic massage and their aim is to contribute to the health and aid the recovery of the people in the earthquake damaged city.

John Loveday is one of the practitioners attending Heal Christchurch. He is a chiropractor who owns a successful wellness practice in Nelson and repeats his journey having attended the Heal Christchurch event of 2012. He is joining 30 other practitioners and volunteers who are taking appointments and contributing to the event.

“The first Heal Christchurch event in 2012 proved phenomenally successful, says John Loveday, “with a post event survey of attendees showing 93% satisfaction rating.” Since the in inaugural Heal Christchurch, John has undertaken to list the event as a charitable trust to assist the organisation in raising funds to operate the event. This year sponsors from Red Seal, Alexanders Marketing, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa and the USA based One Net Research Foundation are amongst businesses who contributed their support.

“There are many stress related illnesses the practitioners at Heal Christchurch will be able to address, says John Loveday. “They may vary from sleep disorders, headaches and body aches, to mood swings and depression and we emphasise that all age groups and families with children are welcome.”

A Facebook page and website www.healchristchurch.net guides people through the explanation of how the event works and allows online booking of appointments. “For those living in the Garden City the facts remain that roads, homes, communities, businesses and families are strained, broken and need support and we are here to do our bit to help”, says John.

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