The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic adjustment of the sacrum and pelvis used during pregnancy to reduce nervous system stress and restore balance to the pelvic muscles and ligaments.
I’m Dr. Kason Belnap, a Webster-certified chiropractor through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), and I’ve used this technique with hundreds of expecting moms across Henderson, Green Valley Ranch, MacDonald Highlands, and Boulder City. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of what we do at Boundless Chiropractic.
This guide explains what the Webster Technique is, what it actually does (and what it doesn’t), what an appointment feels like, when to start, how often to come in, and what the research says. If you’re researching prenatal chiropractic care in Henderson, this is the starting point.
What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a gentle, specific chiropractic adjustment of the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine) and the supporting pelvic structures. It was developed in the 1980s by Dr. Larry Webster, DC, who founded the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
It’s designed specifically for pregnant patients, though the underlying biomechanical principles apply to anyone with sacral imbalance. The goal is straightforward: restore proper alignment and function to the pelvis so the body can do what it’s designed to do.
Here’s the most important thing to understand about the Webster Technique. It is a technique applied to the mother. It is not a maneuver that touches the baby, moves the baby, or directly affects the baby in any physical way.
What it does is remove biomechanical stress from the mother’s pelvis. When the pelvis is balanced, ligaments are not pulling unevenly on the uterus, the sacroiliac joints move the way they should, and the nervous system is free of interference in that region. What the body does with that balance is up to the body.
How does the Webster Technique work?
There are three pieces to understand: the biomechanics, the adjustment itself, and what the research actually shows.
The biomechanics
During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin that loosens ligaments throughout the pelvis to prepare for birth. At the same time, the uterus is growing, your center of gravity is shifting forward, and the load on your pelvis is climbing every week.
The sacroiliac joints, where the sacrum meets the hip bones on either side, can become misaligned or restricted under this kind of load. Chiropractors call this sacral subluxation. When it happens, the round ligaments and other pelvic ligaments that attach to and support the uterus can be pulled into uneven tension. The result is biomechanical interference in the pelvis.
The adjustment itself
When I see a Webster patient, I start with a specific analysis to identify exactly where the sacral imbalance is. I then apply a gentle, low-force adjustment to the sacrum. After the bony adjustment, I do soft-tissue work on the round ligament area to release the supporting structures.
The intended result is restored pelvic balance, reduced ligament tension, and improved nervous system function in the pelvic region.
The whole thing is gentle. There is no twisting of the abdomen, no forceful pressure on the belly, and no manipulation of the baby. Webster-certified chiropractors use specially-designed pregnancy tables that let mom lie comfortably even in the third trimester.
What the research says
A 2002 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (PubMed link) reported an 82 percent success rate of optimal fetal positioning following Webster Technique care among women whose babies were in breech presentation. That number gets quoted a lot, and it’s worth being honest about its limitations. It was a case series, not a randomized controlled trial, and more recent reviews have called for additional research.
The ICPA’s own position, which I share, is that Webster is intended to optimize maternal pelvic function. Not to turn babies. The technique creates conditions in which the baby is more likely to find optimal position on its own, but no chiropractor can or should guarantee that outcome.
Who is the Webster Technique for?
The Webster Technique is most often used for:
Pregnant women in any trimester who want to support pelvic balance and a more comfortable pregnancy. Pregnant women experiencing lower back pain, hip pain, or pelvic pain. Pregnant women with sciatica or round ligament pain. Pregnant women whose babies are in breech, transverse, or posterior presentation in the third trimester. Pregnant women preparing for labor and delivery who want their pelvis in the best possible biomechanical shape.
The technique can also benefit non-pregnant patients with sacroiliac dysfunction, though its primary use is prenatal.
If you’re not sure whether Webster care is right for your situation, a consultation is the best place to start. We examine your pelvis, talk through your goals, and tell you honestly whether we think the technique will help. If we don’t think it’s the right fit, we’ll say so.
The Webster Technique and breech babies
The Webster Technique is often discussed in connection with breech babies, but it’s important to understand what it actually does and what it doesn’t.
A breech baby is one positioned bottom-down or feet-down rather than head-down in the third trimester. Most babies turn head-down on their own by 36 weeks. A smaller percentage remain breech.
The Webster Technique is not a maneuver to turn the baby. What it does is work on the mother’s pelvis, restoring biomechanical balance that may have been preventing the baby from moving into optimal position. Many practitioners and parents observe babies moving head-down on their own after a course of Webster care, but that movement is the baby’s, not the chiropractor’s.
Webster Technique is complementary to standard prenatal care, not a replacement for it. For a confirmed breech baby in the late third trimester, the gold-standard medical option is External Cephalic Version (ECV), a procedure performed by an OB. Webster can be used alongside ECV planning, and many of my patients use both.
The most important conversation you can have if your baby is breech is with your OB or midwife. The Webster Technique can be a supportive part of your prenatal plan. It is never the only thing you should be doing.
What to expect at a Webster Technique appointment
Most of the top articles on the Webster Technique describe the technique mechanically. They skip the part that actually matters to most moms, which is what it feels like to walk into the office, get on the table, and have an adjustment.
Your first visit
Your first visit at Boundless Chiropractic starts with a detailed health history covering your pregnancy, your due date, your baby’s position if you know it, any concerns or symptoms, and any recommendations from your OB or midwife.
After history, I do a postural and pelvic examination. We talk through what I’m seeing, what your goals are, and what a care plan would look like. Then, if everything points to Webster being a good fit, we move into the first adjustment.
What the adjustment feels like
You’ll be positioned on a specially-designed pregnancy table. The table has built-in cutouts and pillows that let you lie comfortably even in late pregnancy. There’s no pressure on your belly, no awkward positioning, and no pain.
The adjustment itself is gentle. I apply a low-force, specific pressure to the sacrum at a specific angle. Most patients describe it as a release of pressure rather than a forceful adjustment. After the bony adjustment, I do soft-tissue work on the round ligament area, which feels like a focused massage.
The whole adjustment takes a few minutes.
After the visit
There’s no downtime. No soreness in most cases. Many patients feel an immediate sense of relief in the lower back or pelvis. I recommend drinking water and moving gently for the rest of the day, but you can go right back to whatever you had planned.
When should I start the Webster Technique?
You can begin the Webster Technique at any point in pregnancy, though many moms start in the second trimester or as soon as they begin feeling pelvic discomfort.
First trimester care is safe and supportive, particularly if you’re already experiencing low back pain or sciatica. The second trimester is a great time to establish a baseline of pelvic balance before the heavier loads of the third trimester arrive. The third trimester is the most common time moms start with us, especially if baby is breech or they want to prepare for labor.
There is no week of pregnancy at which Webster becomes unsafe. The earlier you start, the more time we have to support a balanced pelvis through the changes of pregnancy.
How often should I see a Webster-certified chiropractor during pregnancy?
Most patients see their Webster chiropractor weekly or every other week through the second and third trimesters, with frequency adjusted to individual needs.
In the first trimester, care is often as-needed, sometimes monthly. In the second trimester, every other week is common. In the third trimester, weekly care is common, and we may see patients more often if baby is breech or they are approaching their due date.
Every plan is individual. We adjust frequency based on what we find on examination, how you’re feeling, and what your birth team is recommending.
Is the Webster Technique safe?
Yes, the Webster Technique is considered safe when performed by a Webster-certified chiropractor on a healthy pregnancy.
The technique uses low-force, gentle adjustments. It avoids the abdomen entirely. The ICPA’s certification requires specific training in safe prenatal adjusting protocols. The specially-designed tables we use protect both mom and baby during the adjustment.
That said, there are situations where care needs to be paused or modified. High-risk pregnancies should always be cleared with the OB or midwife first. Active vaginal bleeding, placenta previa, or other high-risk conditions are reasons to wait. If any of those come up during your pregnancy, we coordinate with your medical team before continuing.
The right approach is collaboration. Your OB or midwife, your doula if you have one, and your Webster-certified chiropractor are all on the same team. The best outcomes I see in my practice come from moms whose providers are talking to each other.
Why Webster certification matters
Not every chiropractor is trained to adjust pregnant patients safely. Some don’t have prenatal-specific training at all. Some have a few continuing education hours. A smaller group has completed full Webster certification.
The ICPA’s Webster Certification is a 60-hour-plus post-doctoral training program. It covers prenatal anatomy and physiology, the Webster Technique itself, safety protocols, contraindications, case management, and ongoing education. Re-certification is required to maintain credentials, which means the training stays current.
Certified providers are listed in the ICPA’s official Find-a-Webster-Certified-Chiropractor directory at icpa4kids.com.
Webster-certified chiropractors are not on every corner. If you’re searching for one in Henderson, Green Valley Ranch, MacDonald Highlands, or Boulder City, the ICPA directory and word of mouth from local doulas and midwives are the best starting points. I’m one of the Webster-certified chiropractors serving the Henderson and Las Vegas Valley area, and I’m always happy to answer questions about whether the technique is right for your situation.
Looking for a Webster-Certified Chiropractor in Henderson?
Boundless Chiropractic offers Webster-certified prenatal care in Henderson, NV. I’m certified through the ICPA and have worked with hundreds of expecting moms across the Las Vegas Valley. Whether you’re early in pregnancy and want to set a foundation, or your baby is breech in the third trimester and you’re looking for support, we’d like to meet you.
Request an appointment online: https://beboundlessnv.com/appointment/
Or call us at 702-665-4542
Service area: Henderson, Green Valley Ranch, MacDonald Highlands, Boulder City, and the greater Las Vegas Valley.
Boundless Chiropractic 1450 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite A501 Henderson, NV 89012
Webster Technique FAQ
Does the Webster Technique actually turn breech babies?
No. The Webster Technique does not turn breech babies. It works on the mother’s pelvis to remove biomechanical interference. Many babies move into head-down position on their own after a course of Webster care, but that movement is the baby’s, not the chiropractor’s. No Webster-certified provider should ever guarantee a baby will turn.
Is the Webster Technique safe during pregnancy?
Yes, the Webster Technique is considered safe during pregnancy when performed by a Webster-certified chiropractor. The technique uses gentle, low-force adjustments and avoids the abdomen entirely. High-risk pregnancies should be cleared with the OB or midwife first, and any chiropractor providing prenatal care should coordinate with your medical team.
When in pregnancy can I start the Webster Technique?
You can start the Webster Technique at any point in pregnancy. Many moms begin in the second trimester or as soon as they feel pelvic discomfort. The earlier you start, the more time we have to support a balanced pelvis through the changes of pregnancy. There is no week of pregnancy at which the technique becomes unsafe.
How often should I get Webster Technique adjustments?
Most patients receive Webster Technique care weekly or every other week through the second and third trimesters. First-trimester care is often monthly or as-needed. Third-trimester care is typically weekly, sometimes more often if baby is breech or you’re nearing your due date. Every care plan is tailored to the individual.
Does the Webster Technique hurt?
No. The Webster Technique is gentle. Most patients describe the adjustment as a release of pressure rather than a forceful manipulation. The specially-designed pregnancy tables keep mom comfortable, and the technique avoids the abdomen entirely. If you ever feel discomfort during an adjustment, tell your chiropractor immediately.
Can the Webster Technique induce labor?
No. The Webster Technique is not designed to induce labor and has not been shown to do so. It works on pelvic alignment and ligament balance throughout pregnancy, not on stimulating contractions. If you’re past your due date and considering induction options, that’s a conversation for your OB or midwife.
How do I find a Webster-certified chiropractor in Henderson?
The ICPA maintains an official directory of Webster-certified providers at icpa4kids.com. Local doulas and midwives in the Henderson and Las Vegas Valley area are also good referral sources. Dr. Kason Belnap at Boundless Chiropractic in Henderson is Webster-certified and accepts appointments at 702-665-4542.
What’s the difference between Webster Technique and other prenatal chiropractic care?
The Webster Technique is a specific protocol focused on sacral alignment and pelvic ligament balance, with a defined certification and training pathway through the ICPA. General prenatal chiropractic care may include a wider range of techniques, some of which are not specific to pregnancy. Webster-certified providers can offer both, with prenatal safety protocols built into every adjustment.