What Is The Webster Technique? A Safe, Natural Option for Expecting Mothers in Westminster, CO
- Dr. Jason Winkelmann
- Aug 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 21
What Is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic method designed specifically for the needs of pregnant people. It focuses on reducing pregnancy pain, improving mobility, helping the body create an optimal environment for baby to move and grow, and easing the delivery process.
Developed by Dr. Larry Webster and taught by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), this technique is widely used by perinatal chiropractors to reduce pregnancy discomfort, support healthy birth outcomes, and collaborate with birth professionals like OBs, midwives, and doulas.
How Your Anatomy Changes During Pregnancy
As pregnancy progresses, your body goes through remarkable anatomical shifts to accommodate your growing baby. Your center of gravity shifts forward, your abdominal muscles stretch, and your joints—especially in the pelvis—loosen in response to the hormone relaxin. These changes can lead to instability in the pelvis and spine, resulting in discomfort, postural imbalances, and strain on supporting ligaments like the round ligaments of the uterus.
Additionally, as your uterus grows, it can place asymmetric pressure on internal organs and musculoskeletal structures. These shifts may lead to hip pain, lower back pain, or restricted movement. The Webster Technique is designed to gently address these imbalances and support your changing anatomy through each trimester. Specific changes include:
The Pelvic Bone
When you walk your pelvic bones rock back in forth in opposite directions. This allows for mobility while ensuring stability. Often times one pelvic bone becomes restricted (stuck) in one position over the other. This is common in everyone, especially with hips and/or low back pain but much more common in pregnancy because of relaxin. Such restriction will also cause one pubic bone to be higher than the other
The Sacrum
Your sacrum (the large part of your "tailbone") also rocks to the beat of your pelvic bones during movement. This bone can become restricted on its own, or more commonly in tandom with the pelvic bones. Ligaments that attach to the uterus also attach to the sacrum. When the sacrum becomes restricted, it puts uneven tension on these ligaments which induces torque on the uterus.
Piriformis Muscles
The piriformis muscles, which are already tight and tender in a lot of people, become even more tight and tender as they fall victim to the sacral restrictions. Responsible tor externally rotating your leg, the piriformii are also the culprit in sciatica for many due to their tightness.
Psoas Muscles
Your psoas (pronounced so-as) muscle is the main driver of hip flexion (bringing your knee to your chest). Because of its location is is very difficult to stretch yourself. A tight psoas muscle can create spinal torsion as well as hip torsion.
The Round Ligament
The round ligament helps anchor the uterus in place as it grows to accomodate your growing baby. As the uterus grows, the ligament stretches which can cause round ligament pain. A sharp, jabbing sensations in the lower abdomen or groin, usually on one or both sides
The Sacrotuberous Ligament
The sacrotuberous ligament is just one of the many thick ligaments that hold your pelvis to your sacrum. If one ligament is more contracted than the other it can cause your pelvis to be unequally aligned.
How Does The Webster Technique Help With Pain?
Pain is a signal to the brain that something is wrong. Plain and simple. The combination of your growing baby and relaxin hormone makes your pelvic joints a lot looser which means they are more likely to become restricted in motion and misaligned. This is a problem and your body tries to tell you by creating pain.
Normally, you would see your chiropractor and they would restore proper motion to your joints. However, when you are pregnant, normal chiropractic techniques are less effective. The 6-step process of the Webster Technique, which you will learn about below, safely and gently restores motion and alignment your joints and soft tissues, thus reducing pain.
How Does The Webster Technique Support Fetal Growth?
If you have been pregnant before, or are far along in your pregnancy now, you may have noticed that your baby prefers one side of your uterus than the other. This is not a good sign. Your baby doesn't prefer this side, it is the only side they can rest in.
When your sacrum and pelvic bones are restricted in motion, there is unequal tension on your round ligaments (see above). This causes your uterus to be pulled in one direction over the other, which causes it to be mishapen. Your growing baby loses space in the uterus and is forced to one side over the other. The Webster Technique corrects these imbalances and creates an optimal environment for your baby to grow.
How Does The Webster Technique Ease Delivery?
Your baby will travel through your pelvic outlet before reaching the birth canal. The pelvic outlet is the ring formed by your pelvic bones and sacrum. The larger the diameter of the pelvic outlet the easier time baby will have reaching the birth canal. What determines the sixe of your pelvic outlet is a combination of the size and shape of your bones, but also the orientation of them. Any joint restrictions in your pelvis will cause misalignment of those bones and any misalignment pattern will cause the pelvic outlet to shrink.
The Webster Technique restores the pelvic outlet to its largest diameter, creates space for your baby to get into an optimal position for birth and also reduces nervous system tension. This creates more powerful contractions which can speed up your time in labor. Those who have previously given birth report that using The Webster Technique has made labor so much quicker and less painful compared to when they didn't use it.
What Your Visit Will Look Like: The 6-Step Webster Technique Process
After discussing your pregnancy journey and labor plan, we will do a physical exam to ensure you are safe to be treated, and asses your pelvic alignment. The Webster Technique itself is a 6-step process where we:
Mobilize your sacrum
Release tension in the sacrotuberous ligament
Relax the piriformis muscles
Mobilize the pubic bone
Release the tight psoas muscle
Balance the round ligaments
Is The Webster Technique Safe?
Yes, the Webster Technique is extremely safe when performed by a chiropractor trained and certified through the ICPA. At True Health Centers in Westminster, our provider has received specialized training to ensure this technique is delivered in a comfortable, supportive, and evidence-informed way.
Webster adjustments use light force and specific positioning. There are no high-velocity manipulations or “popping” adjustments common in other chiropractic settings. Many people describe the experience as relaxing and calming.
Who Can Benefit from the Webster Technique?
Anyone who is pregnant may benefit, especially those experiencing:
Lower back pain or hip discomfort
Sacral misalignment
Round ligament pain
Pelvic pressure
Concerns about baby's growth
Anxiety about labor or birth
Conventional Approaches vs. Chiropractic Support
Typical medical responses to pregnancy discomfort or labor may include:
Pain medication (which may not be preferred during pregnancy)
Physical therapy with a limited perinatal focus
External Cephalic Version (ECV) to manually rotate a breech baby, which can be uncomfortable and sometimes unsuccessful
Scheduled cesarean section if the baby does not turn
In contrast, chiropractic care using The Webster Technique is gentle, non-invasive, and focused on improving overall maternal comfort and nervous system balance. It empowers the body to work as it was designed to.
When to Start the Webster Technique
The Webster Technique can be used at any point during your pregnancy. When you start will be determined by your pregnancy goals:
First Trimester: You are most likely looking to prevent pain from starting and wanting to set you and your baby up for success from the start.
Second Trimester: You are likely starting to experience some pain and want to put an end to it.
Third Trimester: You are wanting to treat any pregnancy pains and prevent them from worsening. You are starting to think about labor and want to create optimal circumstances for an easier birth.
Right Up Until Birth: You are getting frequent Webster treatments to help make labor a breeze.
Whole-Person Pregnancy Support at True Health Centers
At True Health Centers in Westminster, CO, we take a whole-body, integrative approach to prenatal care. Our Webster-certified chiropractor works alongside our naturopathic doctor, massage therapist, and physical therapist to support your journey into parenthood physically, biochemically, and emotionally.
We understand that pregnancy is not a diagnosis—it’s a unique, powerful transition. That’s why we personalize every session, collaborate with your birth team, and treat you with the empathy and respect you deserve.
Ready to Feel More Comfortable in Your Pregnancy?
You deserve to feel supported, aligned, and empowered in your pregnancy. If you’re curious about Webster care, we invite you to book a consultation and ask us your questions. We’ll walk you through the process and see if it’s the right fit for you. We also offer a variety of plans to make care more affordable and accessible for you!
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