{"id":15621,"date":"2025-10-24T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/?p=15621"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:23:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T09:23:58","slug":"traditional-postnatal-massage-urut-vs-tui-na","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/traditional-postnatal-massage-urut-vs-tui-na\/","title":{"rendered":"Traditional Postnatal Massage: Malay Urut vs Chinese Tui Na Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Different Cultures Help Moms Heal After Birth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After childbirth, every culture has its own way of helping moms recover, body, mind, and spirit. In Asia, <strong>postnatal massage<\/strong> is more than just self-care; it\u2019s a sacred ritual of restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two of the most popular traditions are the <strong>Malay Jamu massage<\/strong> and the <strong>Chinese \u201cZuo Yue Zi\u201d (\u5750\u6708\u5b50)<\/strong> confinement massage. Both share one goal: to help new mothers regain balance and strength. But they do it in very different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf3f Malay Traditional Postnatal Massage (Urut Melayu)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"471\" src=\"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-3-900x471.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-3-900x471.png 900w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-3-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-3-768x402.png 768w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-3.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Philosophy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Malay practice is rooted in the belief that after childbirth, the body is in a <em>cold<\/em> and <em>fragile<\/em> state. The focus is to \u201cexpel wind\u201d (<em>angin<\/em>), restore warmth, and tighten the body back into balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Techniques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Full-body massage (Urut)<\/strong> using long, firm strokes to stimulate blood flow and release trapped wind<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hot herbal compress (Bertungku)<\/strong> using heated stones or herbal pouches to warm the abdomen and womb area<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Herbal bath (Mandi Herba)<\/strong> with aromatic leaves such as pandan, lemongrass, and ginger to relax muscles and improve circulation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Abdominal binding (Bengkung)<\/strong> a long cotton wrap tied tightly around the midsection to help the uterus contract, reduce bloating, and support posture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Herbal tonics (Jamu)<\/strong> often made with turmeric, ginger, tamarind, and galangal to cleanse and energise from within<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus Areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Womb and abdominal recovery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expelling wind (gas or bloating)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Muscle toning and fluid retention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Restoring warmth and circulation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Duration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally, 7 to 14 days, starting from 3 to 5 days after a normal delivery (later if C-section). Sessions last 60 to 90 minutes daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modern Twist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Malay postnatal massage blends traditional herbs and techniques with spa-style experiences, combining aromatherapy oils and heated herbal wraps for a more relaxing yet restorative session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf38 Chinese Traditional Postnatal Massage (Tui Na Massage)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"471\" src=\"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-4-900x471.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15626\" srcset=\"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-4-900x471.png 900w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-4-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-4-768x402.png 768w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-4.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Philosophy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this massage is part of the 30 to 40-day confinement period called <strong>Zuo Yue Zi<\/strong>, meaning \u201csitting the month.\u201d The belief is that childbirth depletes <em>qi<\/em> (life energy) and blood. The mother must restore <em>yang<\/em> (warmth) and avoid <em>yin<\/em> (cold) to prevent long-term weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Techniques<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gentle acupressure and meridian massage<\/strong> to rebalance <em>qi<\/em> and improve internal energy flow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Moxibustion or warm therapy<\/strong> using burning herbs (usually mugwort) to add heat and restore yang energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus on lower back, legs, and abdomen<\/strong> to stimulate uterine contraction and relieve tension<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Abdominal wrapping (shou du)<\/strong> typically looser and combined with herbal packs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Herbal baths and soups<\/strong> where mothers bathe and drink warm herbal infusions that nourish the blood and replenish energy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus Areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rebalancing internal <em>qi<\/em> and blood<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Warming the body and dispelling cold<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improving lactation and energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preventing wind illnesses such as joint pain or fatigue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Duration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally 30 to 40 days, as part of full confinement care. Massage is done every few days, not daily, and usually complements TCM dietary and rest practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modern Twist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many TCM practitioners today combine Chinese massage with mild physiotherapy techniques and use safe, modern herbal products. Some even offer home-visit moxibustion and gua sha (scraping) therapy to relieve neck and shoulder tension from breastfeeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2696\ufe0f Key Differences at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Aspect<\/th><th><strong>Malay Postnatal Massage<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Chinese Postnatal Massage (Zuo Yue Zi)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Philosophy<\/strong><\/td><td>Expel wind and restore warmth<\/td><td>Replenish qi and blood, balance yin-yang<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Core Belief<\/strong><\/td><td>Body becomes cold and filled with trapped wind<\/td><td>Body becomes weak and yin-heavy after blood loss<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Focus Areas<\/strong><\/td><td>Womb, abdomen, and muscle toning<\/td><td>Energy flow, circulation, and internal balance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Common Tools<\/strong><\/td><td>Herbal compress, hot stones, bengkung wrap, jamu tonics<\/td><td>Acupressure, moxibustion, herbal packs, confinement soups<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Duration<\/strong><\/td><td>Daily for 7 to 14 days<\/td><td>Every few days for 30 to 40 days<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Herbal Elements<\/strong><\/td><td>Turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, galangal<\/td><td>Red dates, goji berries, angelica root, mugwort<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Posture and Binding<\/strong><\/td><td>Tight abdominal wrapping (bengkung)<\/td><td>Gentle binding or heating over the abdomen<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Outcome<\/strong><\/td><td>Flatten tummy, restore strength, relieve aches<\/td><td>Rebalance energy, prevent wind illness, improve vitality<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcaa Transitioning to Modern Recovery and Slimming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"471\" src=\"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-5-900x471.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-5-900x471.png 900w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-5-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-5-768x402.png 768w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blog-Banner-5.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve completed your confinement and your body feels stronger, it\u2019s natural to want to reclaim your pre-pregnancy energy and shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most experts recommend waiting until <strong>3 to 4 months postpartum<\/strong> before starting any slimming treatments or more intensive exercise routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your uterus and abdominal wall need time to fully recover<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hormonal changes still affect joint stability and energy levels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early or aggressive slimming programmes can interfere with healing or milk supply<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>At around 12 to 16 weeks postpartum, you can start exploring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Postnatal slimming massage or body contouring treatments<\/strong> (always choose gentle, medically approved options)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pelvic floor and core strengthening exercises<\/strong> such as yoga, Pilates, or physiotherapist-guided workouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lymphatic or infrared therapies<\/strong> for safe, gradual toning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The key is progression, from recovery to rejuvenation, then fitness. Your body has done something incredible; it deserves patience and care before you push for transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udc96 Treat Yourself to Self-Care and Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re ready to take the next step in your postnatal journey, head over to our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wlsm.cc\/u\/bigfunnelviasocial\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wlsm.cc\/u\/bigfunnelviasocial\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Supermom Perks<\/a><\/strong> page to explore exclusive deals and offers curated just for moms. From gentle recovery massages and wellness treatments to self-care experiences that celebrate your strength and journey, you\u2019ll find thoughtful options designed to help you feel confident, pampered, and loved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udca1 Supermom Hack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Feeling unsure when to start your postpartum fitness or slimming journey?<br>Ask <a href=\"https:\/\/wlsm.cc\/u\/mgsocial\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wlsm.cc\/u\/mgsocial\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Aima<\/a> for a customised recovery plan, from traditional Malay and Chinese massage sessions to when and how to begin safe postnatal workouts, all tailored to your healing timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wlsm.cc\/u\/mgsocial\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Aima-Blog-Banner-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Aima-Blog-Banner-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Aima-Blog-Banner-1-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Aima-Blog-Banner-1-900x450.png 900w, https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Aima-Blog-Banner-1-768x384.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Compare Malay and Chinese postnatal massage traditions. Learn how Urut and Tui Na help new mums recover, restore balance, and regain strength safely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":118,"featured_media":15623,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[829],"class_list":["post-15621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy-birth","tag-0-3-months"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/118"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15621"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16461,"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15621\/revisions\/16461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welovesupermom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}