As a chiropractor at Oaktree Health, I see many expectant mothers who come to us seeking relief from pregnancy-related discomfort.
One of the most effective methods I use in my practice is the Webster Technique — a specific analysis and chiropractic adjustment designed for pregnant women.
Here’s what you need to know about this technique and how it can benefit you during your pregnancy.
What Is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique that requires specific training to perform properly. It focuses primarily on assessing and adjusting the position of the sacrum—the triangular bone at the base of your spine between your hip bones.
This technique isn’t just about addressing pain (though it certainly helps with that). It’s designed to optimize pelvic alignment and nervous system function during pregnancy.
Addressing those areas can contribute to a more comfortable pregnancy and potentially easier birth experience.
The Three Key Benefits of the Webster Technique
When we look at why the Webster Technique is so effective, it comes down to what we call “the three Ps” of childbirth:
1. Optimizing the Passageway
Your pelvis forms the bony canal through which your baby will travel during birth. When your sacrum is misaligned or “subluxated,” the actual opening in your pelvis can be reduced in size.
By properly aligning your sacrum and pelvis with the Webster Technique, we aim to optimize the size of this passageway, giving your baby the most room possible for delivery.
2. Improving Power
As chiropractors, we focus on correcting spinal subluxations to ensure optimal nervous system function. The nerves in your lower back and pelvis not only supply the muscles in that area but also connect to your uterus.
Your uterus is a muscular organ that must contract effectively during labor to push your baby through the birth canal. By ensuring proper nerve supply to the uterus, we help support the “power” aspect of labor.
3. Helping the Passenger (Your Baby)
The third “P” is your baby—the passenger. Ideally, your baby will be in the optimal position for delivery, typically head-down.
Many women come to see us for the Webster Technique if they’ve been told their baby is in a breech position or otherwise not optimally positioned.
By adjusting the sacrum, we can help reduce what’s called “intrauterine constraint.” Think of intrauterine constraint as your baby wearing a tight blanket or sheet.
When we adjust your pelvis, it can help loosen this constraint, allowing your baby more mobility to assume a better position for birth.
How the Webster Technique Works
When you come in for a Webster Technique adjustment, we’ll first assess the position of your sacrum.
This involves simple tests like having you bring your heel to your buttocks to check for resistance in the musculature and ligaments that connect your pelvis to your uterus.
Through this assessment, we can determine which side of your sacrum may be misaligned. This is crucial because when your sacrum is out of proper alignment, it can create tension in several key ligaments:
The Sacrotuberous Ligament
This ligament runs from your sacrum to your ischial tuberosity (the bone you sit on). When your sacrum is misaligned, this ligament can become tight, contributing to pelvic discomfort and restricted mobility.
The Round Ligament
Located at the front of your abdomen, the round ligament runs from your uterus to other structures that attach to your pelvis. Tension in this ligament is a common source of discomfort during pregnancy.
It’s important to understand that with the Webster Technique, we’re not physically trying to turn your baby. We’re not doing an external cephalic version (ECV) or placing hands directly on your abdomen.
Instead, we’re influencing the position of your pelvis, which can cause these ligaments and muscles to relax, giving your baby more freedom to move into an optimal position.
Beyond Breech: Other Benefits
While many women seek out the Webster Technique when their baby is in a breech position, it offers several other benefits during pregnancy:
Relief from Pubic Symphysis Pain
The pubic symphysis is the joint at the front of your pelvis where your pubic bones meet. Many pregnant women experience pain in this area, which can radiate into the groin or down the leg. The Webster Technique can be very effective for addressing this discomfort.
Addressing Tight Hip Flexors
During pregnancy, increased lumbar lordosis (the curve in your lower back) puts pressure on your low back and can lead to tight hip flexors.
The psoas muscle, which crosses the front of your hip, is particularly prone to tightness. We address these muscles during Webster Technique adjustments.
Relief from Sciatic Pain
The piriformis muscle, located deep in your buttocks, can become tight during pregnancy. Your sciatic nerve travels underneath this muscle and down your leg.
When this muscle is tight, it can cause numbing, tingling, or pain in your buttocks or leg—especially common during the third trimester. The Webster Technique can help release this tension.
When and How Often to Receive Webster Technique Adjustments
While many women come to us in the third trimester when experiencing pain in the low back, pelvis, or down the leg, we really encourage preventative or maintenance care throughout your pregnancy.
Ideally, we like to see expectant mothers from the planning stages and throughout their pregnancy. If you’re experiencing a particular issue, we might recommend two to three visits per week to start.
However, for maintenance care, even once a week can be beneficial as you prepare for labor and delivery.
What to Expect During Your Visit
At Oaktree Health, all of our Ottawa chiropractors are trained in the Webster Technique. When you come in for treatment, you can expect a thorough assessment of your pelvic alignment, followed by gentle, specific adjustments tailored to your unique needs.
Most women find these adjustments comfortable and report feeling immediate relief from many of their pregnancy-related discomforts.
Is the Webster Technique Right for You?
If you’re experiencing any of the following during your pregnancy, the Webster Technique may help:
- Low back pain
- Pelvic pain
- Pubic symphysis pain
- Leg or sciatica pain
- Concerns about baby positioning
- Desire for an easier, more natural birth with fewer interventions
Even if you’re not currently experiencing discomfort, preventative care can help maintain optimal alignment throughout your pregnancy, potentially contributing to a smoother birth experience.
As prenatal chiropractors and certified Webster Technique practitioners, we’re passionate about helping expectant mothers have the most comfortable pregnancy and birth experience possible.
If you have any questions about how this technique might benefit you, please don’t hesitate to contact us and book a visit.
Share This Article
