Updated
Typical practice
Malay urut usually uses massage oil and pressure from the hands, thumbs and elbows on muscles, tendons and joints. Practitioners (tukang urut) often adapt their technique to the complaint, such as aches, mild sprains or fatigue. Postnatal urut, often done alongside the confinement period (berpantang), is one of the best-known forms.
How it differs from spa massage
- Purpose: traditional urut often aims to treat a specific complaint, while spa massage is mainly about relaxation.
- Setting: many traditional practitioners work from home or visit clients, rather than from commercial premises.
- Regulation: practitioners who practise urut as Traditional Malay Medicine come under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016.
Registration under the T&CM Act 2016
Traditional Malay Medicine is one of seven practice areas recognised under Act 775. Practitioners in recognised areas must register with the T&CM Council, and full enforcement began on 1 March 2025 according to Malay Mail. Whether every relaxation massage falls under the Act isn't clear from the sources we found. There's more in the guide to massage centre law.
Questions to ask a practitioner
- Are you registered with the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Council? Can I see your practising certificate?
- What oil or products do you use?
- What's the price and how long is a session?
- For postnatal urut: when is it suitable to start after a normal delivery or a caesarean?
When to see a doctor first
Get medical advice before a massage if you've recently had surgery, or have a fracture, blood clots, a fever or a swollen injury. Urut doesn't replace medical treatment.
See also massage types and our explainer on urut batin.