Media Release
31 October 2010
Earthquake Trauma Relief Day
The New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine (NZCCM) opens its doors for an Earthquake Trauma Relief Day to the
Christchurch community on the 7th of November 2010 between 11am and 4pm.
Volunteer therapists are offering massage and acupuncture sessions (15 minutes or less) to Christchurch residents, as
well as workers and volunteers helping the city recover after the disaster. In addition to the free treatments, there is
a timetable of talks* by specialists on post-traumatic stress and how yoga and massage therapy can help people move
toward recovery.
This is a collaborative effort of Massage New Zealand, Yoga Aotearoa & NZCCM. Student practitioners of acupuncture as well as trained massage therapists will offer free mini-treatments to
help people deal with the stress and trauma experienced by the earthquake of September 4th and the aftershocks since.
"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event which
results in psychological trauma, such as the Christchurch Earthquake and the many, many aftershocks following." says
Massage New Zealand member Marina Locke, who initiated this event.
"PTSD can manifest itself in sleep disorders, irritability, moodiness, hyper alertness, anxiety, loss of memory and/or
the inability to concentrate. Massage can be used to relieve PTSD symptoms by calming down the nervous system. Victims
will be referred on to other health professionals if they need further psychological assistance to overcome this
condition."
The free massage and acupuncture treatments will be available between 12.45pm to 2:45pm. The College is located at 183
Montreal St.
ends