Treatments and postnatal massage in Hong Kong
Indonesian-Chinese therapist ELLY, founder of Elly House of Beauty, grew up watching postpartum healing traditions practiced by the women in her family, and later experienced their benefits after giving birth herself. Inspired by her own physical and emotional healing, she now offers this time-honoured postnatal care to new mums in Hong Kong through her Traditional Postnatal Bellybinding & Jamu Massage service.
Give us an insight into belly binding and Jamu massage, and the conditions they can treat.
For hundreds of years, traditional postnatal belly binding has been an essential part of Indonesian culture – passed down through generations to support mothers in their healing journey after childbirth. Rooted in tradition, it focuses on restoring the body naturally during the postpartum period.
Diastasis recti is a common condition where the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the pressure from a growing uterus. Traditional belly binding supports the healing process by helping bring the muscles back together. When combined with Jamu massage and hot stone therapy, it improves blood flow, reduces water retention, relieves tension, and helps restore the body more quickly and naturally after childbirth.
This type of postnatal care is widely practiced today across Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Each has its own version, but the selendang bind technique we offer is uniquely Indonesian. It wraps the abdomen from the hips up to the ribcage, offering support to the uterus, muscles and internal organs while promoting comfort and alignment. The cloth is wrapped firmly yet gently to help reduce the abdominal area and encourage the uterus to return to its original position.
What can someone expect during the treatment?
Each session runs for approximately 60 minutes and is thoughtfully designed to support postpartum healing in a gentle and natural way. The treatment begins with a 45-minute Jamu abdominal massage using warm, organic essential oil, known for its soothing and restorative properties. This massage includes gentle pressure, hot stone therapy to improve circulation and aid womb recovery, and specific techniques to help tone and realign the abdominal muscles.
Following the massage, we apply the traditional belly binder – a supportive cloth wrap made from organic Indonesian cotton. This final step takes around 15 minutes and helps hold the body in alignment, supporting the natural healing of the abdominal area after childbirth. The entire process is both therapeutic and deeply nurturing, allowing mothers to feel grounded, cared for, and gently restored.
Who might typically benefit from postnatal massage or belly binding?
This ancient practice is a modern gift for all new mothers in Hong Kong. Whether you’re an expat discovering this tradition for the first time or a local mum returning to your roots, Traditional Postnatal Bellybinding & Jamu Massage offers a nurturing, restorative path to recovery. You can choose from 10-, 15-, or 20-day treatment packages, and our home service is available across Hong Kong, allowing you to recover in the comfort of your own space.
When should someone start this postnatal care?
The ideal window to begin is two weeks after a natural birth or six to eight weeks after a C-section. Starting early allows the body to fully benefit from the postnatal massage, stone therapy and belly binding, promoting faster recovery, better alignment, and better overall physical and emotional balance.
To find out more, contact Traditional Postnatal Bellybinding & Jamu Massage at 6131 9039 (WhatsApp) or visit instagram.com/postnatalbellybinding or bellybindingpostnatal.com
This article on postnatal care first appeared in the June 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
