Pregnancy is a beautiful time in life as the body is changing and preparing to bring a little life into this world. Chiropractic care has long been recognized as a way to decrease lower back pain and other health issues related to pregnancy. Regular visits to a Lithia Spring chiropractor can help better prepare your body for childbirth by preparing the pelvis, muscles, and ligaments for the miracle of childbirth. The Webster Technique is used by chiropractors like Dr. Ronnie Bolar on pregnant women throughout all stages of pregnancy. Read on to see how the Webster Technique may be beneficial for you.
What Is the Webster Technique?
This chiropractic adjustment technique was developed by Dr. Larry Webster after seeing his wife experience the birth of his daughter, and it focuses on balancing and restoring function to the pelvis. A sacral misalignment is thought to cause possible tightening of the pelvic muscles and ligaments, thus limiting the baby’s position in utero. This restriction of room for the baby is called intrauterine constraint. A sacral adjustment also aids in preventing dystocia, or a difficult birth. Thus, the Webster Technique results in an easier pregnancy, labor, delivery, and a better overall experience for mom and baby.
The Webster Technique Aids in Pregnancy
Chiropractic care focuses on the health of the central nervous system. Adjustments reduce nerve interference between the spine and brain and allow for optimal body function to promote overall health. This is especially beneficial for pregnant women and their babies. Chiropractic care for pregnant women has many added benefits, such as helping with posture and the increased back curve due to a protruding abdomen. The Webster Technique specifically focuses on reducing sacral subluxations through chiropractic adjustments to aid in a smoother delivery and optimal baby positioning. Pelvic adjustments that loosen tight muscles and ligaments have been shown to give the baby adequate room to move around and adjust, which in turn causes the baby to get in an ideal birthing position and mother to feel more comfortable.
Also, the Webster Technique has been utilized to turn a breech or transverse baby so that the baby can get in an appropriate position before birth. This technique is especially beneficial around the eighth month of pregnancy but can be used throughout the entire pregnancy. A case study reported that chiropractors using this technique had a 92% success rate in repositioning a breech baby. If uncorrected, breech position typically leads to a C-Section, which is considered less preferable and more dangerous for mom and baby. Another study of the Webster Technique converting a breech position showed that out of 112 cases, 102 resulted in the resolution of a breech position.
If you are pregnant and want a healthy labor and delivery experience or have been told your baby isn’t in a correct birthing position, contact Lithia Springs chiropractor Dr. Ronnie Bolar of Vital Life Chiropractic to schedule an appointment.
Sources
Borggren, C. L. (2007). Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 6(2): 70–74. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcme.2007.04.004
Pistolese, R. “The Webster Technique: a chiropractic technique with obstetric implications.” Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy.” 2002 Jul-Aug; 25(6): E1-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12183701.