What is Webster Technique?
“The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces nervous system stress, balances pelvic bones, muscles and ligaments; and optimises the mother’a pelvic function in pregnancy and birth” ICPA.
Specific chiropractic care supports pregnancy and birth as a natural process.
By addressing the Physiological/Neurobiomechanical aspects of the pelvis the Webster Technique was designed as a means to help pregnant women prepare for a safer and easier birth.
Why would I get assessed?
Pregnancy is a huge change: from hormones to biomechanics, emotions to your entire life as you know it!! Whether you are suffering from symptoms such a pelvic girdle pain, round ligament pain, pubic symphysis dysfunction, low back pain, headaches etc - sure they’re all reasons to get assessed and adjusted because frankly symptoms are your body’s way of telling you that something is happening and you should make a correction… you don’t need to suffer in pain during pregnancy. But more to the point - we shouldn’t be surviving pregnancy we should be thriving in our pregnancy !! and giving us/our babies the best chance at the most amazing labor and birth ever!
So hang tight for some big words… cos essentially this is what Webster Technique aiming at addressing:
What is Dystocia?
Dystocia is defined as “Difficult birth, typically caused by a large or awkwardly positioned foetus, by smallness of the maternal pelvis, or by failure of the uterus and cervix to contract and expand normally” - Oxford Dictionary.
Causes of dystocia:
Physiological/Neurobiomechanical:
Power: uterine dysfunction or inadequate voluntary muscle effort during the second stage of labor (associated with nerve innervation/supply)
Sympathetic innervations to the uterus come from the lower thoracic spinal nerves; and the
Parasympathetic innervations are from S2 and S3 spinal nerves.
As chiropractors we aim to reduce nerve interference.
Passage: “Any contraction of the pelvic diameters that diminish the capacity of the pelvis can create dystocia during labor” - William’s Obstretrics.
As chiropractors we analyse the alignment of your pelvis and make gentle corrections to it. From a biomechanics perspective the aim is to allow for optimal alignment and thus optimal space.
Passenger: The positioning of your baby
A sacral nutation can transmit torque through the ligamentous attachments to the uterus, which could potentially impact baby positioning.
Broad ligament
Uterosacral ligaments
Round Ligaments
As chiropractors we aim to balance the biomechanics of your pelvis (ie sacrum/ilium) and gently release tension of these ligaments if any is present.
Physical causes of pelvic instability in Pregnancy
Hormones (Relaxin) are released to allow for ligamentous laxity, which is required for your pelvis to spread as the baby grows ~ but can also make your joints less stable
“Shifts in the centre of gravity forward and slightly upward destabilise posture and realign the carriage of weights and forces through joints, predisposing nerves, muscles, bones and connective tissue to damage…
“Gait compensations and increased biomechanics loads lead to further strain/sprain on spinal segments and their supporting structures” (Varney’s Midwifery 2004).
I’m pregnant and want to be proactive in looking after my body and doing all that I can to have the best labor possible… what should I do?
Well you’re in the right place! You’ve already started some education… so the next step - have a chiropractic assessment to see how your nervous system is functioning, how your pelvis is aligning; and how the muscles and ligaments are responding! Book online here
We highly recommend you have a good women’s health physio on your team as well - we can make a recommendation should you need;
Other helpful practitioners: Naturopathy, Acupucture, Reflexology, Massage + more
Want to THRIVE during this epic time of your life? Come and meet one of our amazing chiro here at Nomad :)
Lucy, Olivia, Kristin and Sandy (locum) all love pregnancy care.
We wish you all the best with this beautiful time, and if you’ve got any questions send us an email/give us a call! We’re here for you :)
xx
All your local Mosman Chiropractors at Nomad Chiropractic are Webster Certified