What Is the Webster Technique?

If you’re pregnant and have been researching chiropractic care, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the Webster Technique.

Maybe your doula, midwife, birth provider, or another mom mentioned it. Or perhaps you found it while searching for chiropractic care during pregnancy.

But what exactly is the Webster Technique—and what does it actually do?

It is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment commonly used when caring for pregnant patients. The approach focuses on the relationship between the pelvis, sacrum, surrounding muscles and ligaments, and the way the body is functioning during pregnancy.

At New Journey Chiropractic in Ormond Beach, we want expecting parents to understand what this technique is, what it isn’t, and what they can expect when receiving chiropractic care during pregnancy.

What Is the Webster Technique?

This technique is a specific chiropractic technique developed for assessing and addressing the pelvis.

According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), the Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment intended to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation and associated sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Although the technique can be used outside of pregnancy, it has become especially well known for its use with pregnant patients.

Pregnancy creates significant changes throughout the body. As your baby grows, your center of gravity changes, your abdomen expands, and the structures surrounding your pelvis adapt to increasing physical demands.

This approach gives chiropractors a specific way to evaluate and address pelvic and sacral function during this time.

Is the Webster Technique a Breech Baby Technique?

This is one of the most important misconceptions to clear up.

The Webster Technique is not a technique for turning a breech baby.

A chiropractor does not manually turn or reposition the baby while performing this technique. Attempting to manually turn a baby known as an external cephalic version is a separate medical procedure performed by appropriately trained maternity healthcare providers.

Instead, the chiropractor’s focus is on the pregnant patient’s musculoskeletal system, particularly the sacrum, pelvis, and associated soft tissues.

You may see claims online suggesting that chiropractic care can “flip a breech baby.” That is not an accurate description of the purpose of this technique.

Our focus as chiropractors is the mother—not manually manipulating the baby’s position.

Why Is the Pelvis Important During Pregnancy?

Your pelvis undergoes significant changes throughout pregnancy.

As your uterus expands and your baby grows, changes in weight distribution and posture can affect how your body moves and manages everyday physical demands.

The sacrum sits at the back of the pelvis and connects with the pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joints.

The muscles and ligaments surrounding this area also respond to the changing demands of pregnancy.

For a chiropractor using this technique, evaluating the pelvis and sacrum is part of understanding how the pregnant patient’s musculoskeletal system is functioning and adapting.

What Happens During a Webster Technique Visit?

Your visit begins with you—not with the adjustment.

Before recommending chiropractic care, we’ll talk about your health history, pregnancy, current concerns, previous injuries, and other information relevant to your care.

We’ll then perform an examination appropriate for pregnancy.

If the Webster Technique is appropriate, the chiropractor evaluates specific aspects of the pelvis and sacrum and determines whether an adjustment or soft-tissue component is indicated.

The care you receive is individualized based on your examination findings rather than applying the same adjustment to every pregnant patient.

What Does a Webster Adjustment Feel Like?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is modified for the needs and comfort of the pregnant patient.

This approach uses specific chiropractic adjustments and may incorporate gentle work involving associated muscles and ligaments.

Your positioning is also modified as your pregnancy progresses.

We want you to be comfortable throughout your visit, and you’re always welcome to ask what we’re checking or why a particular technique is being used.

Can You Lie on Your Stomach While Pregnant?

As your belly grows, lying flat on your stomach obviously becomes uncomfortable and eventually impossible without support.

Pregnancy-specific chiropractic tables, cushions, or positioning modifications can be used to comfortably accommodate your growing belly.

Your positioning may also change throughout pregnancy based on your comfort and stage of pregnancy.

The goal is never to force you into an uncomfortable position simply to perform an adjustment.

When During Pregnancy Can Webster Technique Be Used?

There isn’t one specific week of pregnancy when every patient should begin chiropractic care.

Some patients first visit a chiropractor early in pregnancy, while others begin later as their bodies experience increasing physical demands.

Whether this approach is appropriate for you depends on your individual history and examination findings.

You also don’t need to wait until late pregnancy or until you’re concerned about your baby’s position to ask about Webster Technique.

Do You Have to Be Pregnant to Receive the Webster Technique?

No.

Although it is most commonly discussed in connection with pregnancy, its analysis is focused on sacral and pelvic function rather than pregnancy itself.

Your chiropractor can determine whether the technique is appropriate based on your individual examination.

Is Webster Technique the Same as Prenatal Chiropractic Care?

Not exactly.

This technique is a specific chiropractic technique that may be incorporated into prenatal chiropractic care.

Prenatal chiropractic care is broader and may include different examination procedures, chiropractic techniques, positioning modifications, and recommendations based on the individual patient’s needs.

In other words, Webster Technique can be part of prenatal chiropractic care, but the two terms aren’t interchangeable.

Does Every Pregnant Patient Receive the Webster Technique?

Not necessarily.

Chiropractic care should be individualized.

Your health history, stage of pregnancy, examination findings, comfort, and individual needs help determine which techniques are appropriate.

We don’t believe every pregnant patient should automatically receive exactly the same adjustment simply because they’re pregnant.

What If My Baby Is Breech?

If you’ve been told your baby is breech or in another non-head-down presentation, your obstetrician or midwife should remain an important part of that conversation.

Your maternity provider can evaluate fetal presentation, discuss what it means at your particular stage of pregnancy, and explain appropriate medical options when necessary.

A chiropractor using Webster Technique focuses on evaluating and caring for the pregnant patient’s musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic care should complement not replace appropriate prenatal and obstetric care.

Choosing a Chiropractor During Pregnancy

If you’re considering chiropractic care while pregnant, it’s reasonable to ask a chiropractor about their experience and training in caring for pregnant patients.

You can ask questions such as:

• Do you regularly care for pregnant patients?
• Are you trained in Webster Technique?
• How will my examination be modified during pregnancy?
• How will you accommodate my growing belly?
• What type of chiropractic techniques do you use during pregnancy?
• Will you communicate with my other healthcare providers when appropriate?

You should feel comfortable asking questions and understanding the care being recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Webster Technique

What is the Webster Technique?

It is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment focused on the sacrum, sacroiliac joints, and associated soft tissues. It is commonly incorporated into chiropractic care for pregnant patients.

Is it only used during pregnancy?

No. Although widely associated with pregnancy, the technique itself focuses on sacral and pelvic function. A chiropractor can determine whether it is appropriate based on an individual’s history and examination findings.

Can the Webster Technique turn a breech baby?

It is not a technique for manually turning or repositioning a baby. The chiropractor’s focus is on the pregnant patient’s pelvis, sacrum, and associated structures.

If your baby is breech, your obstetrician or midwife can evaluate fetal presentation and discuss appropriate options based on your stage of pregnancy.

Is the Webster Technique the same as an external cephalic version?

No.

An external cephalic version (ECV) is a medical procedure in which a qualified maternity healthcare provider attempts to manually reposition a baby from outside the abdomen.

The chiropractic technique discussed here focuses on the pregnant patient’s sacrum, pelvis, and associated structures. The chiropractor is not performing an ECV.

Is the Webster Technique gentle?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is modified for the pregnant patient’s comfort, stage of pregnancy, examination findings, and individual needs. It uses specific chiropractic adjustments and may include gentle work involving associated muscles and ligaments.

Can I lie on my stomach for the Webster Technique while pregnant?

Pregnancy-specific tables, cushions, and positioning modifications can be used to accommodate your growing belly. Your positioning may also change throughout pregnancy depending on your comfort and stage of pregnancy.

When should I start Webster Technique during pregnancy?

There isn’t one specific week when every pregnant patient needs to begin chiropractic care. Some patients seek care earlier in pregnancy, while others begin later. Whether this technique is appropriate should be based on your individual history, examination, and needs.

Do I have to wait until my baby is breech to see a Webster-trained chiropractor?

No. This is not a breech-specific procedure. Pregnant patients may seek chiropractic care at different stages of pregnancy based on their individual needs and examination findings.

Is the Webster Technique the same as prenatal chiropractic care?

No. This is one specific technique that may be incorporated into prenatal chiropractic care. Prenatal chiropractic care is broader and may include different examination procedures, techniques, and positioning modifications depending on the individual patient.

How do I know if the Webster Technique is appropriate for me?

Your chiropractor should review your health and pregnancy history and perform an appropriate examination before recommending care. Your stage of pregnancy, examination findings, comfort, and individual needs can all help determine which approach is appropriate.

Webster Technique and Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Ormond Beach, FL

At New Journey Chiropractic, we provide individualized chiropractic care for pregnant patients in Ormond Beach and surrounding communities.

Our approach considers the physical changes and demands that occur throughout pregnancy while keeping your comfort, examination findings, and individual needs at the center of your care.

Most importantly, we want expecting parents to understand what Webster Technique actually is.

Webster Technique isn’t about a chiropractor turning your baby. It’s a specific chiropractic approach focused on the pregnant patient’s sacrum, pelvis, and associated structures.

If you’re pregnant and wondering whether Webster Technique or prenatal chiropractic care may be appropriate for you, contact New Journey Chiropractic to learn more or schedule your first visit.