Benefits of Post Natal
Massage
New mothers always ask this
question. "When can I go back to my pre-pregnancy figure?"
New mothers
need to recuperate from childbirth and body changes. Special meals are cooked for
recuperation from childbirth whereas to recuperate from body changes, we would engage a
masseuse to provide post -natal massage.
Post-natal massage is a traditional treatment which has been
handed down several generations and even practiced today and its usually done in the comfort of
your own home. The stress from childbirth and time spent caring for your newborn is taxing
on our body. Therefore, post-natal massage not only gives nurturing and
emotional support to help mothers gain back their lost energy, it also brings body back
to its pre-pregnancy condition by retaining muscles and connective tissue.
Other benefits of Post-natal massage include:
1.Provides relaxation for the
exhausted body
2.Relieves aches on shoulders and neck from carrying or feeding
your newborn
3.Realign the body weight to its original distribution
4.Helps reinstate the uterus to its original state
5.Eliminates excess body fluids, reduce fluid
retention
6.Tones the over stretched areas of skin, especially over the
abdomen
7.Promote blood circulation within the body
8.Exfoliate dead cells and regenerate skin
renewal
For mothers who
delivered naturally, they can start their post-natal massage as soon as they are comfortable
and ready. However, for cesarean section delivery, mothers are encouraged to wait for at
least 2 weeks after delivery or when incision is properly healed before they could start their
massage.
This post-natal massage starts with massaging the breasts which
promotes milk supply and also helps clear any blocked ducts. Followed by full body
massage, using hot oil with lemon, lemongrass and eucalyptus. The hot oil used helps to
reduce water retention, burn fats accumulated during pregnancy and to dispel wind that
was developed during labor. Finally, jamu paste is applied onto the stomach wrapped over
by bengkung (a cotton cloth of 15 meters). This wrap helps to reinstate the uterus
to its original state, shrinks the tummy and helps to reduce weight. In order to see the
effects of a flatter tummy, the wrap has to be on for at least 10 hours and must be done
consecutively for at least 5 days.
