All You Want to Know About Traditional Javanese Postnatal Massage

Nobody really knows the origins of the traditional Javanese massage but it is widely believed that it began as a luxury massage for the royalty many centuries ago. Javanese Massage is an intense, medium to strong deep tissue massage in which the therapist uses her thumb and palm to apply firm pressure on the receiver’s body. The massage aims to relax the body and harmonise the mind, body and spirit.

A Javanese postnatal massage is similar to a normal Javanese massage in its techniques but it aims to do more. It has a strong emphasis to help new mothers regain their strength quickly and cope with their new responsibilities.

Javanese postnatal massages, when done properly, can:

- Help body restore itself to its pre-pregnancy condition;

- Help regain pre-pregnancy body shape;

- promote sense of well-being and rid baby blues;

- tone and relax the muscles;

- promote the release of lochia;

- help uterus shrink to its original size;

- help encourage the production of breast milk;

- improve blood circulation;

- aid lymph circulation, remove excess fluids and help remove toxins from the body;

- relieve constipation problems and etc

 

 

Sequence of the massage and the techniques used

Back: Back of legs, buttocks, lower and upper back.

Front: Head (optional), chest, breasts, arms, tummy, front of legs.

Techniques: Use mainly fingers and the palm of hands to perform the massage. Heavy use of effleurage, petrissage (or what is commonly known as kneading) and finger fiction. Pressure varies. Firm on inner thighs and buttocks. Medium pressure on back/ front of legs, arms, back, shoulders. Light and tender on breasts, chest and tummy.

When to start the massage?

Natural delivery: Usually about one week after delivery.

Caesarian: Usually 4 – 6 weeks after delivery.

What will you get from each massage?

- Gentle loving care from the therapist;

- Good massage;

- Jamu (Traditional Javanese herbs) to help shrink the tummy;

- Bengkung; and

- Aftercare advice.

What is Bengkung? What is the function of a Bengkung wrap?

The Bengkung, also known as Barut, is a nine yards cotton cloth that is used to bind a new mother’s body tightly from the hips to the rib cage. It is usually left on for at least 6 hours each time for 5 – 14 days. The ancient practice of abdominal wrapping, together with jamu, will help firm the abdominal muscles, lighten stretch marks and help re-position the uterus. The herbs used in the wrap are believed to help clear out the “dirty blood”(lochia), rejuvenate the lymphatic system and also to clean and heal the mother’s body.

Want to find out more about the massage? Call/ SMS us at 94777 536 or email us at maggic.people@gmail.com