First of all, the Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique used to realign the bone at the base of the spine, a triangle-shaped bone called the sacrum. Also, tension is reduced in the round ligament, a ligament that connects the uterus to the sacrum, with a slight pressure.
The sacrum is comprised of 5 bones that fuse together. It rests at the base of the spine, creating a platform for the rest of the bones of the spine, the vertebrae, to rest on. The sacrum can become misaligned, or subluxated, from many different ways. Sitting for prolonged periods of time, especially with your legs crossed can twist the pelvis into misalignment. Many times, a previous injury to an ankle or leg can shift the way your body distributes weight, causing a misalignment. Sometimes though, an injury such as falling on a patch of ice or wrestling around with the kids can alter the position of the sacrum.
Once the sacrum is subluxated, the platform for the rest of the vertebrae above it is misaligned and can cause rotation in vertebrae above it. Also, the round ligaments can be tightened on that side, and if you are pregnant, the space for baby to move around in is limited or twisted.
In the Webster Technique, the side in which the sacrum has moved back is determined by a Webster Certified Chiropractor. Once this side is determined, an adjustment is used to help realign the sacrum. The adjustment consists of placing a hand on the side of the sacrum that has moved back and delivering a gentle thrust to push it forward, which is cushioned by a table designed to give away at the pelvis with a force applied to it.
After the adjustment, the patient is positioned on their back and the side of round ligament tension is determined. A pressure applied on the round ligament helps relax the ligament. The round ligament is special in that it is also comprised of muscle tissue. Just like an overused muscle, the round ligament can become tense. The pressure on the ligament helps to relax it, much like a massage helps relax tired muscles.
The goal of this procedure is to create an ideal position of the pelvic bones- NOT to turn breech babies! Beware of these claims that are unfortunately being made by the chiropractic community. As explained by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and Dr. Webster,
The Webster protocol is a specific chiropractic sacral analysis and diversified adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation/ SI joint dysfunction. In so doing neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis is facilitated.
By aligning the space for baby, it is often observed that breech babies turn vertex, or head down. This is a great outcome, but again, this is just a wonderful side effect observed by being adjusted! There are many factors effecting the position of baby, and if inadequate space to turn around is one of them, then getting adjusted would help facilitate the turning. However, if a baby is breech due to other factors, a baby will not turn vertex. This does not mean the Technique did not work though. The treatment goal is to reduce the subluxation of the sacrum.
What are other side effects of adjustments others are enjoying? Well for starters, the adjustment, to any place in the body, not just the sacrum, increases the circulation of white blood cells in the blood stream. White blood cells help fight off illnesses. Does this mean the adjustment is a treatment for illness? Not really. Patients have noticed a decrease in recovery time from illnesses after an adjustment, which is a great side effect of reducing subluxations. Some patients have noticed a decrease in asthma symptoms with adjustments as well. Reducing the interference to the nervous system with an adjustment can have this affect on patients, but does not mean chiropractic is a treatment for asthma.
To learn more about the Webster Technique, chiropractic or your specific condition, please contact CWC at 636-825-6555, or more information can be found on our website at: www. CWCchiropractic.com
No comments:
Post a Comment