What is Webster’s Technique?
You may recall hearing all about the Webster’s technique during your first visit to our office, but what is it exactly? Why did the Docs want to complete extra, special training to get certified in this technique?
Webster’s Technique
With the intent of supporting natural childbirth in the mid-1980s, Larry Webster, D.C., developed a chiropractic adjustment now called the Webster’s technique. The first and most significant observation of this adjustment was for women who were presenting breech during pregnancy. After they received the Webster adjustment, their babies turned head down. As a result, they were more likely to experience natural childbirth that was safer and easier.
How can an adjustment affect positioning during pregnancy?
Often people will ask, “How can a chiropractic adjustment affect baby positioning?” The answer is by improving pelvic balance. When the mother’s pelvis is out of alignment, the ligaments that connect from the pelvis to the uterus increase their tension (tone) resulting in a distortion to the uterine space.
Don MacDonald, D.C. offers a great analogy: “Increased tone is like sleeping in a bed with someone sitting on the sheets beside you. Can you turn over freely? No.”
For the baby, the surrounding walls of the uterus tighten with pelvic imbalance, becoming more and more like tight bed sheets that restricts motion. The chiropractic adjustment to the pelvis releases tension to the ligaments and uterus allowing the baby can move freely and assume the best possible position for birth.
Subsequently, many pregnant women are seeking ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) doctors throughout their pregnancies. They do this to utilize the many additional benefits of the Webster technique (both Dr. Sean and Dr. Krystal are ICPA doctors). For every stage of pregnancy, this adjustment reduces interference to the nervous system. Moreover, this is a vital benefit to improve physiology for both Mom and her baby. When Mom’s physiological function is at its best, the baby’s development is optimized. Balancing the pelvic bones, muscles, and ligaments and improving normal physiology sets the stage for a natural birth.
Chiropractic care and Webster’s technique allow for safer, easier births!
Williams Obstetrics tells us there are 3 components for a smoother birth for both mother and baby.
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POWER:
The nervous system (Power) operates in all body processes, including childbirth. For birth to proceed as it was naturally designed, the nervous system must facilitate the transmission of information through the body. By removing interference and imbalances to the nervous system, chiropractic care helps lead to normal, physiological birth.
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PASSAGE:
For the baby to descend through the birth canal (Passage), the balance of the mother’s pelvis is vitally important. With chiropractic care, the muscles and ligaments of the pelvis and uterus are free to move and function for the benefit to the mother and the baby. The result is greater ease and comfort in pregnancy and birth.
3. PASSENGER:
The baby (Passenger) wants to get into the best possible position to descend through the birth canal. Furthermore, the movements required for birthing will be positively facilitated when the mother’s nervous system is optimally functioning and her pelvis is balanced. Birth is a cooperative endeavor, where the mom and the baby play vitally connected roles.
There you have it!! Now you can see why Webster’s technique is so important and why our doctors were so excited to learn it!