Postnatal massage: a search for evidence in Putrajaya Hospital / Intan Syahira Sahrom

Traditional complementary medicine (TCM) unit in Hospital Putrajaya offers traditional Malay postnatal massage which consists of postnatal body massage and refreshment massage. The aim of this study are to identify and describe the prevalence and frequency of the use of TCM modality specifically, postnatal massage. The idea is to identify the reason why patients seek postnatal massage and the benefit or effectiveness of this TCM modality. The data was collected from the data archive of the postnatal patients from August 2010 till August 2011 and by interviewing patient. Data was analyzed by using descriptive method. Based on finding, majority of patient undergo refreshment massage compared to postnatal body massage. Postnatal massage in TCM
unit Hospital Putrajaya was popular among Malays and most patients who undergo postnatal Malay massage were aged between 20 to 29 years old. Postnatal massage were effective in reducing aches or stiffness on the muscle and joint, able to reduce wind, (buang angin), able to reduce exhaustion, patient felt good after the treatment (sedap badan) and patient felt fresh and more relaxed after treatment. Information on herbal use provided to the patient by the TCM unit were important to promote safety use of traditional method, prevent any harmful beliefs and practice and reduce risk of
unproven and misused herbs.