What the Heck Is the Webster Technique?

These days, if a mother is told that her unborn baby is malpositioned (i.e., breech, transverse, or face/brow), it is assumed that the safest course of action is a C-section. Although other options are available—such as an External Cephalic Version (ECV) by an obstetrician—there are risks involved that a C-section could avoid. This has resulted in over 30% of births being by C-section, 20% of which are due to malpresentation.

In the 1970s, chiropractor Dr. Larry Webster established an association between a sacral shift (pelvic misalignment) and fetal malposition. He discovered a simple way to determine the presence of, and provide chiropractic care for, this misalignment and the resulting ligament tension, or in-utero constraint. The result of the procedure was that many babies were naturally able to assume the normal vertex (head-down) position.

So, what is the Webster Technique? A chiropractic adjustment called the Webster Technique is a specific sacral adjustment that helps facilitate the mother’s pelvic alignment and nervous system function. This, in turn, balances pelvic muscles and ligaments, reduces torsion to the uterus, and offers greater potential for optimal fetal positioning.

Dr. Cait uses the Webster Technique on all her pregnant patients to ensure baby and mom have the most balanced and comfortable pregnancy possible.