Specific to the Webster Technique, the goal is to reduce the effects of dysfunction within the pelvic and sacral joints due to subluxations. In doing so, normal neurological and biomechanical function in the pelvis is hopefully restored.
At Sarpy Chiropractic we love the Webster Technique! It's a very gentle technique, and we use it with all of our pregnant patients. When the pelvis is undergoing some kind of biomechanical and/or neurological stress, it can potentially cause tightness within the uterus and abdominal walls which may obstruct normal movement of the fetus. If this is the case, then obviously this could lead to a fetus getting stuck in a breech position.
So it's extra important during pregnancy that the pelvis and nerve supply to it are all functioning at their best! If the breech position remains uncorrected it may mean that a C-section is required which is associated with all sorts of problems for mom and baby.
Many chiropractors (us included) are reporting favorable outcomes when using the Webster Technique. It’s been reported in some smaller studies that 92% of breech presentations resolve following the application of the Webster Technique.
This perceived success in the turning of breech babies has led to the Webster technique being described as a breech turning technique by both parents and chiropractors. But this is where confusion sets in.
Firstly, Chiropractic isn't "turning" the baby (only obstetricians can do that) - we are simply improving mom's function, which decreases stress and tension and hopefully allows baby to move towards the position it innately wants to move to. Along with the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association) we are working hard to reinforce this fact - that it is a very valuable tool in reducing these pelvic subluxations but is not designed as a treatment for any condition including breech presentation.
Secondly, these are only very small studies so we can't say for sure if normalizing mom's pelvic function will be more likely to bring about the effect of allowing a breech baby to turn. This is why we cannot claim that a baby will turn with Webster Technique or any other Chiropractic technique, there just isn't enough research done!
Plus the fact mentioned above that as a chiropractor we aren’t treating anything, we are improving nervous system and body function which often leads to a lot of abnormal symptoms improving. But it is a promising result nonetheless!
Should all pregnant women be adjusted by a chiropractor? Absolutely! Research does show that like in all humans, a chiropractic adjustment should improve the accuracy of the communication between your spine and your brain which means your brain is more accurately aware of what’s going on in your pregnant body and your world around you which has to be a very good thing!
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