Jamu Massage is a common form of postnatal care for mothers. Having roots in South-East Asia before the 17th century, it is a traditional Indonesian massage using various kinds of plants and herbal medicine. Although it is a massage form which originated from Indonesia, there are many Chinese and Westerners who endorse this massage.
1. Authentic Jamu Massage is lost through generations
Forms and techniques have been lost and even shortchanged throughout the years.
The techniques used during the massage often result in discomforts by many mothers from the wrapping style or the substance from the paste/oils they use.
Nowadays, many Jamu massage practitioners also include breast lactation massage into their service. These masseurs are often not trained or qualified to provide Lactation Therapy. These masseurs often add on the service for a quick buck by targeting on the physical and emotional pain points of breastfeeding mothers.
The techniques used in Jamu massage may help mothers relax and relieve sore muscles, but it will not help in increasing milk supply or relieving engorgement
2. Wrapping technique tends to be uncomfortable
Binding is a good way to shift the uterus back to pre pregnancy form and reduce water retention. The correct way of wrapping will assist the body’s natural detoxification process and clear the body of any toxins.
But the traditional way of Jamu wraps the cloth all the way under your thighs, making it difficult to wear throughout the day and even going to the toilet. In this time and era however, different methods of wrapping has been used among masseurs. Some methods loses its original effectiveness as the wrap goes loose through the day and does not serve the purpose of compression. The bengkung wrapping style also makes mothers feel hot and sweaty and the skin non breathable.
* Rejoice Pregnancy’s way of binding for our Lymphatic Drainage Therapy allows our maternal health visitor to target acupoints and lymph nodes by forming knots with the binding cloth allowing it to create pressure on these points.
This binding technique is specially invented by our Senior Maternal Health Visitor Patricia through her years of experience working with mothers. We also use a criss-cross style of binding to ensure that the wrap stays firm throughout the day and still allows air to go through, making the skin feel less warm and more comfortable.
Most of our customers last through the day, go through their usual toilet routine and some even fell asleep in it accidentally with our style of binding. However, we discourage the use of binding overnight as your skin needs to breath.
3. Usage of herbs in the paste/cream used
Little has been research on the benefits of the substances used throughout the Jamu Massage. There is no assurance to whether the quality and quantity of substance used will be beneficial or even harmful to mummies or babies. Jamu Massage uses a cream/paste which may contain ginger or herbs that is not suitable for breastfeeding mummies.
For instance, if mummy tries to latch baby for breastfeeding after the massage session without completely cleaning off the substance off the pastes may cause allergic reaction to some, both mummy and baby.
Many mothers have complained about the uncomfortable feeling such as itchiness and spiciness in the tummy area after the massage and wrapping is done. Perspiration and herbs within the wrap combined makes it sticky to the touch and causes mothers to have allergic reactions such as rashes, redness, swelling and itch.
Case Study:
A true story from our client Cherry who hired a Jamu Masseuse – Tinah
(Names mentioned in this article have been changed to protect the privacy of our customers)
Tinah used jamu paste which consists of a hot spicy substance (probably ginger and other herbs) during the massage session. Cherry faced allergic reactions from the jamu paste that was applied to her which causes her skin around tummy to become red and swollen. Tinah massages Cherry’s breast to try and ease the blocked ducts that Cherry has. Bruising happens and milk supply drops the following day.
During the next session when Tinah sees Cherry again. Tinah tries to shift the blame to Cherry by saying that her body condition is unique and tries to upsell more packages to her.
**Do note that regardless of whichever service provider you may use for your pre/post pregnancy care. After the therapy is done, the problem of engorgement, blocked ducts or any achy muscles should be relieved and there should not be any residue of sore, ache or pain the following day if the technique presented is correct.
Rejoice Pregnancy uses acupoint and physiotherapy techniques for all our services including our lactation therapy. Acupressure can also help in treating the problems of insufficient lactation in a natural and permanent way.
To learn more about Rejoice Pregnancy’s Lactation Therapy, please visit
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