Webster Technique
Dr. Larry Webster, Founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association discovered this technique as a safe means to restore proper pelvic balance and function for pregnant mothers. In expectant mothers presenting breech, there has been a high reported success rate of the baby turning to the normal vertex position.
Research studies have and continue to document the success the Webster Technique has on safely restoring breech babies into a normal uterine position.
Webster Technique Defined
Chiropractic care benefits all aspects of your body’s ability to be healthy. This is accomplished by working with the nervous system-the conduit of intelligence and communication between your brain and body. Doctors of Chiropractic work to correct Subluxations of the spinal bones. When Subluxated, these bones put pressure on the spinal cord and the spinal nerves – this can cause malfunction in countless areas of the body and imbalance in the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Subluxation of the sacrum (a large triangular shaped bone at the base of your spine) causes a tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments producing uterine torsion or constraint. It is these tense muscles and ligaments and their constraining effect on the uterus which prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the vertex, or head down position required for proper growth and development as well as birthing. The Webster Technique is a specific Chiropractic analysis and adjustment which removes interference to the nervous system, balances out pelvic muscles and ligaments which in turn removes constraint to the woman’s uterus and allows the baby to get into the best possible position for development and for birth.
Any position of the baby other than vertex may indicate the presence of sacral Subluxation and therefore result in intrauterine constraint. It is strongly recommended by Dr. Emberland and the International Chiropractic Pediatric Chiropractic Association, that this specific analysis and adjustment of the sacrum be used throughout pregnancy, to detect imbalance and prevent intrauterine constraint, rather than used as a corrective technique after a problem has developed.
Because of the effect the Chiropractic adjustment has on all body functions, pregnant mothers should have their spines checked regularly throughout pregnancy, allowing for safer, easier deliveries and optimized health benefits for both the mother and baby.
Study Shows Chiropractic Technique Effective In Breech Turning
A study published in the July/August 2002 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) shows that a Chiropractic technique known as the “Webster Technique” for managing the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint,
is effective in cases of pregnancy with women experiencing breech presentation which can lead to a cesarean section birth.
According to the published study, “Intrauterine constraint is defined as any force external to the developing fetus that obstructs the normal movement of the fetus.” Intrauterine constraint can prevent the developing fetus from moving into the normal head-down position needed for a normal vaginal birth. When this happens this is called a “breech presentation”. This situation plays a critical role in how the mother delivers her baby. According to the statistics published in the article, in the United States 86% of all infants with breech presentation are delivered by cesarean section.
According to the JMPT article, the Webster Technique is a Chiropractic technique designed to relieve the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint. This technique is also known by names such as as Webster’s In-Utero Constraint Technique or Webster’s Breech Turning Technique. The Webster Technique was developed by Dr. Larry Webster in 1978. Dr. Webster was often referred to in the Chiropractic profession as “The Grandfather of Chiropractic Pediatrics.” Additionally, the technique is presently taught in many Chiropractic colleges and postgraduate Chiropractic education seminars.
The study was done by surveying a large number of doctors of Chiropractic who use the technique to see the percentage of results they obtain on real patients. The survey required detailed information to verify the accuracy of the responses. The results showed that 82% of the doctors surveyed reported a high rate of success when using the Webster Technique. The results from the study suggested that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique in the 8th month of pregnancy, if it has been determined that the child is in the breech position. This timing is important because from the 8th month on, a breech presentation is unlikely to spontaneously convert to the normal head down position.
The study concludes by saying, “when successful, the Webster Technique avoids the costs and risks of cesarean section or vaginal trial of breech. In view of these findings, the Webster Technique deserves serious consideration in the management of expectant mothers exhibiting adverse fetal presentation.”
As you can see the importance of Chiropractic care during pregnancy cannot be understated, for both mother and your developing baby. Dr. Emberland is well trained and experienced to help you through this exciting time of life. Please contact our office to answer any further questions you may have, or to experience the benefits of Chiropractic first hand.
We look forward to meeting you!
More about the Webster Technique from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
“The Webster Technique: A technique for pregnant women”
By an I.C.P.A. Staff Writer
You have seen the Webster Technique—that Chiropractic technique to help pregnant mothers with breech babies—featured on The Learning Channel’s hit series “A Baby Story.” You have read about it in Mothering magazine and Midwifery Today. You have seen it on the Internet. You have heard it talked about by birthing professionals. But what is it?
The Webster Technique, discovered by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), is a specific Chiropractic adjustment for pregnant mothers. It is a Chiropractic technique designed to relieve the causes of intrauterine constraint.
Formerly known as Webster’s In-Utero Constraint Technique or Webster’s Breech Turning Technique, the Webster Technique was developed by Dr. Webster in 1978. It has been highly successful in relieving intrauterine constraint and helping to convert breech presentations to cephalic presentation for more than 20 years.
What is intrauterine constraint? Intrauterine constraint is defined as any forces external to the developing fetus that obstructs the normal movement of the fetus. Intrauterine constraint can prevent the developing fetus from attaining a head down vertex position and achieving a vaginal birth, resulting in cesarean section delivery. Today, nearly 13% of all cesarean deliveries performed are due to breech presentation.
In 1985, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed 15% as the highest acceptable limit for cesarean section rates. This figure was based on the cesarean section rates of countries with the lowest prenatal mortality rates in the world. In 1991, the figure was adopted as a goal for the year 2000 by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Currently, approximately 4.6 % of all singleton pregnancies develop into breech presentation and the incidence of prenatal mortality with breech presentation is approximately four times that of a vertex presentation. While many infants in breech presentation before 34 weeks will convert spontaneously to a cephalic presentation, few will do so afterward.
Decreasing the number of caesareans for breech presentation has been offered as a strategy to reach the Healthy People 2000 goal of 15% cesarean section rate. The importance of preventing intrauterine constraint and subsequent cesarean section delivery is apparent, considering in the United States approximately 22% of all births were cesarean section deliveries. In Canada the incidence of cesarean section ranges from 15%-22%, depending on the province. The Webster Technique is a Chiropractic means of decreasing the number of caesareans for breech presentation.
Performance of the Webster Technique involves analysis of the relationship of the bones of the pelvis, and correction of aberrant biomechanics through the use of a light force Chiropractic adjustment of the sacrum (Step 1). It also involves analysis and relief of specific abdominal muscle tension or spasm (Step 2). Both steps are intended to relieve the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint that may lead to cesarean section delivery.
It is important to stress at this time that the Webster Technique is not to be misconstrued as the practice of obstetrics. The Webster Technique is a specific Chiropractic technique intended to relieve a specific musculoskeletal condition, and is well within the Chiropractor’s scope of practice. At no time does the Chiropractor attempt to change the position of the fetus as is done in external cephalic version (ECV). Untrained individuals should not attempt the Webster Technique.
In addition, the Webster Technique should not be confused with other unproven or unsafe “Chiropractic breech turning” techniques.
The ICPA, founded by Dr. Webster, maintains the only database of Chiropractors certified in the proper performance of the Webster Technique. In addition, the ICPA currently offers the only courses to certify Chiropractors in the proper performance of it.
Growing awareness of the Webster Technique is demonstrating the increased demand for doctors of Chiropractic trained to perform it. Because of its ability to facilitate easier, safer deliveries for both mother and baby, many birth care providers are actively seeking doctors of Chiropractic with the skills in this technique. Daily, the ICPA receives many requests for referrals.
If you would like to be referred to a Chiropractor trained in the Webster Technique, please visit the ICPA website at www.icpa4kids.com or call (610) 565-2360.