Webster‘s Technique
Dr. Larry Webster
Webster’s Technique
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Also known as
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Webster's “In-Utero Constraint Technique”
“Webster's Breech Turning Technique”
Developed in 1978
Chiropractic technique ~> Intrauterine constraint
Intrauterine Constraint
“any forces external to the developing fetus
that obstructs the normal movement of the
fetus”
Ohm (2000), ICPA
Intrauterine Constraint
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May prevent the baby from
moving into a vertex position…
Breech = C-section
Webster‘s Technique
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Classically, used when the baby has not
moved into a vertex position by 34 weeks
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increased baby size
decreased fluid
Why wait until something has gone wrong?
Clinically...
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Doctors report that patients monitored
throughout their pregnancy don‘t have as many
breech presentations
Research...
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If you wait until 34 weeks, not 100% successful
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82%-92%
re-call bias, retrospective studies
Many DC‘s have begun to start monitoring
Webster‘s in the 7th month
Webster‘s Technique
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Patient lies prone (neutral posture)
Flex both heals to buttocks feeling for side of
higher resistance
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stand square to the patient
can close eyes
Clinical Note: may not be accurate if the patient
has had knee surgery
Webster‘s Technique
According to Dr. Webster‘s work...
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The side of increased resistance is the side of
posterior sacral rotation
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so, increased resistance on the right indicates a P-R
sacrum
Webster‘s Technique
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Correct the posterior sacral subluxation
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tension of the drop should be set at it‘s lightest
*Dr. Webster did not recommend side posture
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Chiropractors have reported success using
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prone Diversified
Gonstead side-posture
Thompson drop adjusting
Activator
SOT
It seems that the important thing is to correct
the side of posterior sacral rotation...
Webster‘s Technique
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Recheck legs for equalization of resistance
Once the legs are balanced...
 Patient lies supine
 Palpate to find the trigger point on the side
opposite the sacral posteriority
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if adjusted P-R, soft tissue work on the left
Webster‘s Technique
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From the ASIS, draw a line 45 degrees inferiormedially and from the umbilicus, draw a line 45
degrees inferior-laterally
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Where the two lines bisect should be the
trigger point of the rectus abdominus
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overlying the broad ligament of the uterus
Webster‘s Technique
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Using light pressure (3-6 oz.) hold an I-S
contact over the trigger point
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this is usually tender for the patient
Rotate your thumb 5 degrees in either direction
(challenge the tissue) and feel which direction
the tension is felt
Webster‘s Technique
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Hold that contact for
1-2 minutes
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Feel for the hypertonicity to relax
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“melt“ under your contact
STOP!
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Do NOT adjust any additional segments that
day
Perform Webster‘s every 2-3 days
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other segments can be adjusted on days in between
It may take multiple visits before the baby shifts
positions
Conditions that might prevent the
fetus from turning:
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Oligohydramnios
Placenta previa
Short umbilical cord
Twins
Uterine anomolies
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bicornate uterus
References
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Anrig & Plaugher. Pediatric Chiropractic. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins, 1998.
Anrig-Howe C. Scientific Ramifications for Providing Pre-natal and Neonate
Chiropractic Care. The American Chiropractor, 1993; May/June: 20-26.
Fallon. Textbook on Chiropractic and Pregnancy. Arlington, VA: International
Chiropractors Association, 1994.
Forrester J. Chiropractic Management of Third Trimester In-utero Constraint.
Canadian Chiropractor, 1997; 2(3): 8-13.
Fysh. Chiropractic Care for the Pediatric Patient. Arlington VA: ICACCP, 2002.
Kunau P. Application of the Webster In-utero Constraint Technique: A Case
Series. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, 1998; 3(1): 211-6.
McMullen M. Assessing upper Cervical Subluxations in Infants Under Six
Months. ICA International Review of Chiropractic, 1990; March/April: 39-41
Pistoles R. The Webster Technique: A Chiropractic Technique with Obstetric
Implications. JMPT, 2002; 25(6).
Webster L. Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy. Today’s Chiropractic, 1982;
Sept/Oct: 20-22.