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Pregnant women have a plethora of additional health concerns that simply don’t apply to men and women who aren’t carrying a baby. However, it’s just not practical or advisable to put your healthcare regimens and treatments on hold until you give birth. The Webster Technique, named after its inventor, Dr. Larry Webster, was developed to treat women who are with child.
For pregnant women who benefit from regular chiropractic adjustments, it’s been a game changer, particularly when you consider the additional strain that pregnancy places on the musculoskeletal system.
The objective of the Webster Technique is to ensure pelvic alignment, which is essential to the comfort of the mother and the positioning of the infant during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned, it can create stress on the muscles and ligaments that surround the uterus. Among other things, this condition can lead to the baby presenting itself in the breach position.
The technique itself is gentle and, when applied properly, will not adversely affect the mother or the baby. On the contrary, the Webster Technique is beneficial to both the mother and child.
Dr. Larry Webster developed the technique that bears his name in the 1980s for his daughter, who was facing a challenging pregnancy. Understanding that subluxations — joint dislocations — would further complicate the pregnancy by preventing the free movement of the fetus, Dr. Webster began his exploration of safe sacral alignment. His technique has enabled many mothers to avoid breech births and to improve their comfort during pregnancy. The Webster Technique stabilizes the sacrum and the sacroiliac joint, which is the point between the sacrum and the ilium. By applying pressure in this area, a chiropractor can ease tightness around the uterus and pelvis.
It should be noted that the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), founded by Dr. Webster, does not endorse the Webster Technique as a medical treatment for fetal malpositions or in-utero constraints. There is simple evidence to suggest that it can help to avoid these conditions. Additionally, the Webster Technique is not solely for pregnant women. To quote the ICPA’s analysis of this treatment:
“The ICPA holds that the Webster Technique is a specific assessment and diversified adjustment for all weight bearing individuals and is utilized to enhance neuro-biomechanics in that individual.”
The Webster Technique starts with a patient history. The chiropractor will look at the patient’s medical history and ask about any pain, past injuries, or areas of tightness. If the patient is pregnant, the chiropractor will inquire about the baby’s positioning. This may include a consultation with the patient’s obstetrician.
The doctor will then perform a sacral misalignment evaluation to determine whether the source of the pain and discomfort is indeed a sacral issue. This involves palpitating the area around the sacrum, but they may also order diagnostic imagery. If the sacrum is misaligned, the doctor can usually detect it due to the tension surrounding the muscles and ligaments.
When the doctor administers the Webster Technique, the patient is usually face down on a table. The doctor will apply low-pressure thrusts with their hands to the lower back. When properly administered, the baby does not feel this sacral adjustment. In other words, the Webster Technique will not crush your abdomen or otherwise harm your baby. Please keep in mind that this technique requires training and specific knowledge of a pregnant woman’s anatomy. You should never experiment with this type of adjustment or any chiropractic techniques, for that matter.
Your chiropractor may also perform soft tissue release around the round ligament and other muscles. This is essentially a gentle massage to help loosen the pelvic muscles and uterine ligaments. The chiropractor will then reassess your pelvic alignment. Many pregnant women require more than one session to achieve the desired alignment.
There are several advantages of the Webster Technique among pregnant women. The first is that it’s safe and non-invasive. Both you and your baby will remain unharmed if the treatments are performed by a licensed professional. The main benefits of successful treatments are pelvic alignment and SI mobility. This alignment allows the baby to move into optimal fetal positioning.
Another benefit that’s important to many pregnant women is that the Webster Technique can alleviate pain and discomfort in the pelvis, lower back, and the sciatic nerve. In general, this treatment can also remove blockages and promote blood flow.
While many pregnant patients benefit from the Webster Technique, the results vary from individual to individual. Many women feel that because of the safety of the technique, it’s worth trying. The Webster Technique is designed to reduce breech births, but a breech birth is still possible, and it’s essential to remember that the Webster Technique is not a breech birth intervention. In other words, there is no guarantee that the baby will turn.
Not all chiropractors are trained or certified through the ICPA, and they should not attempt the Webster Technique unless they are. If you inquire about the Webster Technique at your chiropractor and they are not certified, contact ChiroCare of Florida to schedule an examination. We have chiropractors who are certified in the Webster Technique. They can determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this treatment.
Not every chiropractor is ICPA certified in the Webster Technique, so make sure you specifically ask your doctor if they hold this certification. Or schedule an appointment at ChiroCare of Florida specifically for prenatal care. As always, let your obstetrician know that you are seeking additional healthcare. Call today!
