What is the Webster Technique and how can it serve you during your pregnancy? As experts in pregnancy chiropractic care, we share all about this technique and its benefits!

What is the Webster Technique?

The Webster Technique is for pregnant women specifically performed by chiropractic specialists. During pregnancy, this technique is used to optimize the natural physiology of the woman's body, especially during the end stages of pregnancy. It is a great way to prepare for labor & delivery! This technique involves soft tissue work on specific muscles and ligaments in conjunction with pregnancy specific chiropractic adjustments. With the Webster method, chiropractors can address any pelvic misalignments or mobility issues impacting baby positioning or affecting the progression of labor.

The Adjustments:

• Sacrum : proper mobility of the sacroiliac joints [pelvic joints on the back side]
• Pubic bone : proper mobility of the pubic symphysis [pelvic joint on the front side]

The Soft Tissue Components:

• Piriformis
• Iliopsoas
• Round Ligament
• Sacrotuberous Ligament

All the female chiropractic specialist at Chiro for Moms are certified in the Webster Technique. So, you're in good hands no matter which provider you choose!

Goals of Webster Technique :

1. Optimal Baby Positioning  
2. Pain Relief : back pain, pubic symphysis pain [SPD], round ligament pain 
3. Prep for Labor [including VBAC and cesarean births]
4. External Cephalic Version [ECV] Preparation

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Chiropractic for Baby Positioning & Breech Babies

Chiropractic care, specifically the Webster technique, is a great way to get your baby into optimal birthing position! You might hear people talk about Webster as a way to flip a breech baby. However, the Webster Technique is primarily performed to neutralize the pelvis which relieves tension in mama & baby. A neutral pelvis creates space so that baby settles into the best position [head down] for labor & delivery.

The chiropractic adjustments utilized in the Webster technique focus on the pelvis, specifically the sacrum [the sacroiliac joints] and pubic bone [the pubic symphysis]. Gentle, specific adjustments are delivered to these regions of the pelvis using the drop table! The uterus attaches to the sacrum, so misalignment of the sacrum can translate to uterine tension. This is how the sacrum’s position helps determine the true ‘Webster side’. 

Webster Technique for Pain Relief

For us, it’s not a surprise that a lot of the structures we focus on with the Webster technique are the same structures that can cause pain and discomfort in pregnant women. We are talking low back pain, tailbone pain, pelvic or hip pain, SPD, and round ligament tension.

Low Back Pain, Sciatica, and Tailbone Pain

Low back pain and pelvic or ‘hip’ pain is easily the most common condition we see throughout pregnancy. The adjustment piece is a big part of treatment but so is the muscle and ligament work! The iliopsoas or "hip flexor" muscles attach to all our low back segments and the outer part of our thigh. They are tight in MOST pregnant women. During pregnancy, your pelvis tilts forward and this causes increased strain on these muscles as they try and keep your center of balance. Working these muscles is an important component to Webster and pregnancy in general, but its also great at relieving low back pain.  

Struggling with sciatica? The piriformis muscle attaches to the sacrum directly and is often under increased tension during pregnancy with the change in posture and the forward shift in the center of gravity. With the sciatic nerve running underneath this muscle, piriformis tension can cause sciatic symptoms. 

Tailbone pain can be yet another hurdle for women to face during pregnancy and postpartum. Adjusting the pelvis during pregnancy relieves tension in the surrounding tissues. Working directly with the sacrotuberous ligament further relaxes the area to relieve pain. The sacrotuberous ligament attaches from the sacrum to the ischial tuberosities on either side [your SITS bones. This is often a point of extreme tension in pregnant women because of the shifting of the pelvis and change in overall posture.

SPD/Pubic Pain

Symphysis pubis dysfunction [SPD] is often caused by instability in the front of the pelvis, at the pubic bone. This region is often very tender and can cause ‘lightening crotch’ symptoms during pregnancy. Because Webster provides balance to the pelvis and involves the pubic bone directly, this technique is helpful for relieving your SPD symptoms!  

Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pain can be quite annoying during pregnancy. The round ligament attaches directly to the front of the uterus and keeps your growing belly form tipping backwards. As mama's belly grows, this "rope-like" ligament gets stretched and can result in sharp twinges of pain at the lower belly. We work on this ligament using direct pressure to provide relief and reduce strain in this region! We also recommend that pregnant women stretch the area of the round ligament for pain relief!

Prepare for Labor with the Webster Technique:

During the later stages of pregnancy, relieving tension in the pelvis is beneficial for all women to prepare for labor and delivery. The ultimate goal with chiropractic Webster Technique is to increase the adaptability of the pelvis and ease the stress of labor and delivery. By addressing the pelvic misalignments and overall tension in a pregnant women’s body, we are able to treat an optimal environment for your baby! There is more space for for movement and less uterine tension to restrict baby movements. When women seek chiropractic care during pregnancy, they typically have shorter labors! The research indicates labor times are reduced 25-33% with chiropractic care during pregnancy.