Prenatal Care and Webster Technique

Pain in pregnancy is very common:
- 50-85% of pregnant women have low back pain
- 20% of pregnant women have pelvic girdle pain
This pain can be felt in the w
hole region of the hips, buttocks, and run down the legs into the feet.

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WHY?
There are several reasons back pain and dysfunction is so common during pregnancy. 
1. Biomechanical Changes: aka body changes. Normal weight gain is between 20-40lbs during pregnancy combined with a shift in centre of gravity that puts extra strain on the low back and pelvis. As your baby grows, so does your belly and the curve in your low back which alters your posture as your body compensates for these changes. Along with the growing belly is a stretching of your abdominal or core muscles which changes the stress placed on the low back.

2. Hormonal and Circulatory Changes: aka adapting for baby. Relaxin is one of the many hormones that change during pregnancy and is responsible for allowing your joints and muscles to relax to allow for the passage of baby through the pelvis. This can contribute to the discomfort of the low back muscles, spine and pelvis. There is also an increase in blood volume as much as 50% which can cause inflammation and water retention (swelling or edema). 

What is Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy?
Low back, pelvis and hip pain are most often caused by neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction which chiropractors are expertise at treating. Chiropractors provide pain relief during pregnancy without the use of medication and provide holistic advise to maintain health before, during and after pregnancy.  This includes safe and effective care tailored to each individual pregnant woman, education and advice on diet and exercise. We look at as sleep position, posture and movements to be mindful of during pregnancy and while caring for an infant. Our office has specialty pregnancy pillows which allows for pregnant bellies to safely and comfortably lie on during assessments and care. 

Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
​Yes! It is safe for all three trimesters and a benefit for the fourth trimester as well. Care will not harm the fetus in anyway and has been shown to improve overall function, quality of life, and is associated with easier, safer birth with less pain medication and less intervention. (See pictogram at the end for more details). Chiropractic care studies have shown that 75% of pregnant patients who receive care during their pregnancy experience pain relief AND on average have shorter labour times!

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The late Dr. Jeanne Ohm who taught the Webster Technique to many chiropractors who share the same passion for caring for pregnant patients and families.

What is Webster Technique?
​The Webster Technique is a chiropractic analysis and adjustment of the pelvis and surrounding soft tissue that is safe to use during pregnancy. The main purpose of the Webster Technique is to reduce the pelvic (sacral and sacroiliac joint) dysfunction discussed above leading to improved biomechanical function of the sacrum and pelvis.

Pelvic biomechanics may play a role in the positioning of the infant in utero. With misalignments, the body compensates creating tightening and torsion of the round ligaments that attach from the pelvic bone to the uterus as well as surrounding muscles and ligaments. This may lead to constraint within the uterus that prevents baby from assuming the best possible position of birth. 

This technique uses pregnancy pillows which allow pregnant patients to safely and comfortably lie face down during the analysis and adjustments. The Webster Technique also uses soft tissue therapy and joint work in the back, pelvis, and abdomen to allow for proper alignment and function of the spine and pelvis as well as surrounding tissues. Treatment is gentle but has impactful results including decreased pain and improved biomechanical function of the lower chain. 

Is This Treatment Right for You?
Knowing there is safe and effective treatment for pain and discomfort of the low back and pelvis during pregnancy is a great first step. Please reach out to any Webster Certified Chiropractor or your healthcare provider to see if you could benefit from care. For more information, visit the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) website. 

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Disclaimer: The advice provided in this article is for information purposes only. It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. Consultation with a Chiropractor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem.  

References
1. Aldabe D, Ribeiro DC, Milosavljevic S, Dawn Bussey M. Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and its relationship with relaxin levels during pregnancy: a systematic review. Eur Spine J 2012;21(9):1769-76. Epub 2012 Feb 4.
2. Stuber KJ, Wynd S, Weis CA. Adverse events from spinal manipulation in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a critical review of the literature. Chiropr Man Therap 2012;20:8.
3. Canadian Chiropractic Association. ​https://www.chiropractic.ca/blog/chiropractic-treatment-for-pregnancy-pain/. 2020 May 22.
4. Borggren, C.L. Pregnancy and Chiropractic: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2007; 6: 70-74.
​5. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. A Webster Technique: A Sought Out Technique for Pregnant Women. ICPA Family Wellness First. 2014.
6. Pistolese, R.A. The Webster Technique: A Chiropractic Technique with Obstetric Implications. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2002; 25(6): 1-9.
7. Ohm, J. The Webster Technique: Definition, Application and Implications. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health. 2012: 49-53.
8. Sabino, J. Pregnancy and Low Back Pain. Current Review in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2008; 1: 137-141.