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

© Scoop Media