The Webster Technique
Are you pregnant? Have you been told chiropractors can turn a breech or transverse baby?
The Webster Technique is a cornerstone of providing specific care to the prenatal population. The technique optimizes the biomechanics of the sacrum and pelvic joints. Chiropractors focus on addressing sacral subluxations and sacroiliac joint dysfunction through specific adjustments creating a more balance and functional pelvic environment. Having a balanced and functional pelvis creates a safer and smoother environment during the birth process.
The History
Dr. Larry Webster founded the technique through a time of observing the effects of a traumatic birth on infants physiology, including broken clavicles due to a breeched birth presentation. He knew there was more to supporting the birth process in a natural and non-invasive approach than what was currently being offered to women.
Dr. Larry initially started assessing and using this technique on women with a breeched baby presentation. He found results that transformed the mother’s births- a majority of the women found their babies had turned to the optimal head-down position after receiving the adjustment. The “Webster Breech Turning Technique” was coined and started to gain traction within the chiropractic community with other practitioners finding the same great success.
As time has progressed the “breech turning technique” has changed to a holistic approach to supporting the overall neruo-biomechanical functions of pregnant women.
The Improvement of birth
The Webster Technique supports the neuro-biomechanical function of the woman’s body by optimizing nervous system function. Through the balancing of pelvic bones, muscles and uterine ligaments the technique honors and works with the body’s innate intelligence, allowing for a smoother and more natural birth. A difficult or abnormal labor, also known as dystocia is a result of three potential factors.
1 . Power- The strength of the uterine contractions during labor. Misalignment within the pelvis can alter the nervous system’s ability to coordinate strong and consistent contractions. Through the Webster Technique, sacral subluxations are corrected allowing for proper communication to support effective contractions.
2. Passage- The structure of the pelvis must allow for the baby to be able to pass through without being restricted. Sacral subluxations can limit the pelvic outlet, creating a physical boundary for the progression of labor. The Webster Technique, restores pelvic alignments allowing for optimal pelvic opening to occur.
3. Passenger- The position of the pelvis throughout pregnancy plays a role in the position of the baby in-utero. Misalignments in the pelvic region can result in tension in uterine ligaments, reducing the baby’s ability to move, leading to non-optimal positioning. The Webster Technique works to release tension within uterine ligaments, giving the baby more room to move freely, encouraging an optimal position.
The emotional impact
Chiropractic care works with creating ease within the nervous system, including emotional ease, through specific neurologically focused adjustments. Experiencing chiropractic care throughout pregnancy creates balance and confidence within the mother as she prepares for birth. A woman who is choosing to care for her body through chiropractic care during pregnancy is taking and active role in her pregnancy rather than a passive one. An active role in pregnancy, provides the mother with increased confidence and higher likelihood to be actively participating in labor.
Finding a practitioner who specializes in prenatal chiropractic care and is train in Webster Technique can make a world of difference in pregnancy. It is important to seek out a specialized practitioner for this specialized time of life!
