Especially for Obstetricians

A Brief Note from Heather Whittle Davis

How can chiropractic help?

The common discomforts of pregnancy are often caused by pre-existing unnoticed imbalances in the spine and pelvis, which become overtaxed during pregnancy. Adjustments throughout pregnancy can relieve and even prevent common discomforts. Additionally, chiropractic care restores balance to the pelvic muscles and ligaments; therefore, may contribute to less complicated deliveries.

What symptoms or complaints can chiropractic help?

Chiropractic care commonly helps with all types of back pain, sciatica, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome.  There are techniques specifically designed to stop premature contractions and to help a baby to achieve the head down vertex position. 

What is the Webster’s Technique? 

Formerly known as Webster’s “In-Utero Constraint Technique” or “Webster’s Breech Turning Technique,” the Webster Technique was developed by Dr. Webster in 1978. For nearly 30 years, it has been highly successful in relieving intrauterine constraint and allowing babies to get into the best possible position for birth. What is intrauterine constraint? Intrauterine constraint is defined as any forces external to the developing fetus that obstructs the normal movement of the fetus. Intrauterine constraint can prevent the developing fetus from attaining a head down vertex position and achieving a vaginal birth, resulting in cesarean section delivery.

Performance of the Webster Technique involves analysis of the relationship of the bones of the pelvis, and correction of aberrant biomechanics through the use of a light force chiropractic adjustment of the sacrum (Step 1). It also involves analysis and relief of specific abdominal muscle tension or spasm (Step 2). Both steps are intended to relieve the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint that may lead to cesarean section delivery.

It is important to stress that the Webster Technique is not to be misconstrued as the practice of obstetrics. The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic technique intended to relieve a specific musculoskeletal condition, and is well within the chiropractor’s scope of practice. At no time does the chiropractor attempt to change the position of the fetus as is done in external cephalic version (ECV). Untrained individuals should not attempt the Webster Technique. Growing awareness of the Webster Technique is demonstrating the increased demand for doctors of chiropractic trained to perform it. Because of its ability to facilitate easier, safer deliveries for both mother and baby, many birth care providers are actively seeking doctors of chiropractic with the skills in this technique.

 How does Dr. Heather Davis work in collaboration with the MD? [download id=”7″]

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See Dr. Heather Davis describe the Webster Technique:

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