Webster Technique During Pregnancy: What It Is and How It Can Help

Pregnancy changes your body a lot.

As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts, your posture changes, and the joints, muscles, and ligaments surrounding your pelvis have to adapt. For some women, those changes can mean low back pain, pelvic discomfort, SI joint pain, hip tightness, or simply feeling like their body is “off.”

That’s one reason many pregnant women seek out a chiropractor trained in the Webster Technique.

At Align Chiropractic & Massage in Spokane Valley, Dr. Sara Johnson is Webster Technique certified and has additional training and years of experience working with pregnant women.

What Is the Webster Technique?

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic assessment and adjustment technique developed for addressing the pelvis and sacrum.

According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), the goal of the Webster Technique is to reduce the effects of sacral and/or SI joint dysfunction and improve neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvic region.

In much simpler terms:

We want your pelvis, sacrum, surrounding muscles, and joints to be functioning as well as possible while your body is adapting to pregnancy.

Webster care may include checking the alignment and movement of the sacrum and pelvis, gentle chiropractic adjustments, and addressing tension in the muscles and soft tissues associated with the pelvis.

Every pregnant body is different, so care is individualized to what we find during your exam.

Is Webster Technique for Breech Babies?

This is probably the biggest misconception about Webster Technique.

Webster Technique is not a technique used to physically turn a baby.

You may have heard friends, doulas, midwives, or even other providers recommend finding a Webster-certified chiropractor when a baby is breech or in another less-than-ideal position.

The reason is not that chiropractors manually reposition babies.

Instead, Webster Technique focuses on improving the function and biomechanics of the mother's pelvis. The ICPA specifically defines Webster as a chiropractic technique aimed at addressing sacral and SI joint dysfunction—not as a treatment for fetal malposition.

The goal is to create the best possible function in your body during pregnancy.

Why Does Pelvic Balance Matter During Pregnancy?

Your pelvis is doing some pretty important work during pregnancy.

As your baby grows, your pelvis has to accommodate changes in weight, posture, ligament tension, and movement. Hormonal changes also make ligaments more flexible, which can sometimes contribute to instability or irritation around the SI joints, hips, pubic symphysis, and low back.

When pelvic joints aren't moving well, you may notice things like:

• Low back pain

• SI joint pain

• Hip or glute pain

• Pelvic pressure or discomfort

• Difficulty getting comfortable while sleeping

• Pain with walking or changing positions

• Feeling uneven or twisted

• Increased discomfort as pregnancy progresses

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is focused on helping your body move and function better as those changes occur.

What Is a Webster Chiropractic Visit Like?

Pregnancy chiropractic care shouldn't feel aggressive or intimidating.

I modify adjusting techniques throughout pregnancy based on your comfort, stage of pregnancy, and what your body needs that day.

A visit may include assessment of your pelvis and SI joints, gentle chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue work, mobility recommendations, and positioning modifications to keep you comfortable.

As your belly grows, we can modify positioning so you're not expected to lie flat on your stomach on a regular chiropractic table.

And no, you don't need to be in severe pain before coming in.

Some women begin chiropractic care because something hurts. Others simply want support as their body changes throughout pregnancy.

What Does “Webster Certified” Mean?

Not every chiropractor who treats pregnant women is Webster certified.

Webster Certification is additional postgraduate training offered through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). The certification includes specific education in the assessment and application of the Webster Technique.

I completed my Webster Technique certification because I genuinely enjoy working with pregnant women and wanted additional training specifically related to the changing biomechanics of pregnancy.

After years of caring for pregnant patients, I also know there isn't a one-size-fits-all pregnancy adjustment.

Some moms need very little intervention. Others come in with significant SI, hip, pelvic, or low-back discomfort. My goal is always to meet you where you are and help you feel as comfortable and functional as possible.

When Should You See a Chiropractor During Pregnancy?

There isn't one specific week when you “should” begin chiropractic care.

You can see a chiropractor during the first, second, or third trimester.

Some women come in early because they already have a history of back or pelvic problems. Others don't think about chiropractic until their belly gets bigger and something starts hurting.

And sometimes I meet moms late in pregnancy because their OB, midwife, doula, friend, or birth provider recommended finding a Webster-certified chiropractor.

You don't have to wait until you're miserable.

Pregnancy Chiropractic Care in Spokane Valley

If you're pregnant and looking for a Webster Technique chiropractor in Spokane Valley, I'd love to meet you.

At Align Chiropractic & Massage, my approach is simple: assess what's actually happening with your body, explain what I find, and provide comfortable, individualized care that makes sense for you.

Pregnancy asks a lot of your body.

Our goal is to help it adapt as well as possible along the way.

Align Chiropractic & Massage

Spokane Valley, WashingtonWebster Technique Certified Chiropractic CarePrenatal • Postpartum • Moms • Kids & Teens