Javanese Massage: Another Awesome Massage Therapy For You To Try Out!

Over the years, massage has always been something I love to experiment with. That being said, when it comes to visiting a therapist, I don’t necessarily have a “go to” for massage therapy. I’m always excited to try something I’ve never done before.

Some of the massage techniques I’ve been lucky to try thus far include: Thai, Swedish (deep tissue), Cupping, and Shiatsu.

Whenever I get the chance to visit new countries, I take the opportunity to try out the local massage being offered. Thailand was obviously one of the best in terms of overall experience!

What i’m trying to get at, is this: it’s perfectly fine to have your favorite “go to” massage, but at the same time you should also try out new techniques because hey you never know…..you might just find a new favorite!

Now Then, What Is Traditional Javanese Massage?

Traditional Javanese massage is an old, ancient technique that originates from Indonesia. Because of the highly intense strokes involved in this technique, one could categorize Javanese massage as a form of deep tissue therapy.

A therapist trained in Javanese massage will know how to use all parts of the hand when massaging a patient. This is actually one of the biggest distinction between Javanese and other massage types.

In Javanese massage, every part of the hand (including the knuckles) is used to massage the body.

Javanese massage is typically done using oils. The oils helps reduce friction and makes for a more comforting experience for the patient. Here’s what a traditional Javanese massage looks like! (Video Credit: Bang Black B2).

I highly doubt you watched all 12 minutes, but if you did you would’ve noticed how the entire technique was predominantly about pushing and stroking. If you watched the therapist closely, you would see how much she uses her thumb and fingers to pressure and circle around the various muscles. This is a characteristic motion that’s common to Javanese massage.

What’s The Purpose Of A Javanese Massage? What Does It Attempt To Provide?

The belief is that there’s a certain “air or wind” that the body accumulates over time, and that the toxicity of these “winds” are responsible for causing all sorts of trouble to one’s physical well being. The purpose of Javanese massage then is to purge the body of these “airs and winds”, and that’s kinda why the technique is performed at such a high intensity.

What Does A Javanese Massage Feel Like?

That’s unfortunately a question I don’t know the answer to, as I’ve never had a Javanese massage before! I do hope to change that one day, if and when I make it over to beautiful Indonesia!

Here’s an interesting account from Brent Maxwell sharing his Javanese massage experience from a studio based in Singapore. (Video Credit: Brent Maxwell).

What Are Some Of The Things I Should Do Both Before/After A Javanese Massage?

One thing I would take care of before going in for a Javanese massage is to ensure you stay well hydrated. Because the massage is deep tissue, I think hydration becomes especially important. Muscles that are hydrated are a lot more pliable and easier to manipulate than muscles that lack water/moisture (these tend to be more rigid).

A while back I wrote a post describing the do’s and don’ts when preparing for a deep tissue massage. I strongly recommend you follow what has been prescribed in that post both before and after your Javanese massage!

What Are The Benefits Of A Javanese Massage?

Because it’s a highly intense technique, one of the main benefits of Javanese massage is pain relief. If you know anything about deep tissue therapy, you’ll know pain relief is one of the main benefits. In many ways, Javanese massage has the same benefits as one would see with deep tissue therapy.

Here’s an article that talks of the benefits of deep tissue therapy. It’s worth a read!

As is the case with any massage therapy, it’s always wise to consult with your family physician before starting any regimen. This is especially important when it comes to deep tissue therapy.

“Where Can I Get A Javanese Massage?”

If you live in North America, I think your options are limited. You can do a quick google search to see if anything pops up in your city. However, if you want to have the full on traditional experience, your best bet is to get a Javanese massage somewhere in southeast Asia. There’s a famous location in Singapore known as House Of Traditional Javanese Massage, and their main specialty is……you guessed it Javanese massage!

And of course what better a place to get a Javanese massage then the place it originated from: Indonesia will have tons of establishments!

But Remember!

Whatever massage you do, whether it’s Thai, Swedish, Javanese….if it’s getting to a point of being unbearable in terms of intensity, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with requesting the therapist to take it down a notch! It’s interesting to hear how rarely people respond to the experience when being prompted by the therapist.

Most people simply “go with the flow”, and this isn’t necessarily the best approach when it comes to massage!

Our bodies are not the same, and because of this, one intensity, one technique, and one therapist doesn’t work for everyone! I hope you take this advice seriously.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post. If you did, a share on the social platforms would be appreciated. Last but not least, let me know in the comments what massage you wish to know about next!