About the Webster Protocol
Chiropractic
care benefits all aspects of your body's ability to be healthy. This is
accomplished by working with the nervous system - the communication system
between your brain and body. Doctors of Chiropractic work to correct
spinal, pelvic and cranial misalignments (subluxations). When
misaligned, these structures create an imbalance in surrounding
muscles and ligaments. Additionally, the resulting nerve system stress may
affect the body's ability to function optimally.
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.
Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the
International Chiropractic Pediatric Association discovered this adjustment as
a safe means to restore proper pelvic balance and function. This specific
sacral analysis can be used on all weight bearing individuals to determine S/I
joint dysfunction/ sacral subluxation and is therefore applicable for the
entire population. The assessment includes heel flexion to buttocks, with
restricted flexion indicating the affected SI joint. Correction is made with a
diversified, sacral adjustment. It is used on all weight bearing individuals
presenting with this biomechanical restriction. Common symptoms include (but
are not limited to) low back pain, sciatic neuralgia, and symptoms associated
with S/I joint dysfunction.
In regards to pregnant mothers, Dr. Webster reported that when a mother sought
care and her baby was in a breech position, the restoration of pelvic
neuro-biomechanics with this adjustment also frequently facilitated optimal
fetal positioning. There are cases published in the chiropractic
literature that support his theory. More research is needed and is currently
underway by the ICPA.
In this clinical and theoretical framework, it is proposed that sacral
misalignment may cause the tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles
and ligaments. It is these tense muscles and ligaments and their aberrant
effect on the uterus which may prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the
best possible position for birth.
The obstetric literature has
determined that correct positioning of the baby in-utero affects birth outcome
and decreases the potential for undue stress to the baby's developing spine and
nerve system. Obstetric literature has also determined the importance of pelvic
neuro-biomechanics for the prevention of dystocia (difficult birth).
Chiropractic literature has determined the significance of sacral adjusting in
normalizing pelvic neuro-biomenchanics.
It is therefore considered prudent that this specific sacral analysis and
adjustment be used throughout pregnancy to detect and alleviate sacral
imbalance and optimize pelvic neuro-biomechanics in the mother. Because of the
particular female adaptations from the increase of hormones, weight gain and
postural adaptations, pregnant mothers have a greater chance of sacral
subluxation and neuro-biomechanical imbalance than the general population.
Additionally, because of the effect the chiropractic adjustment has on all body
functions by reducing nerve system stress, pregnant mothers may have
significant benefit by having their spines checked regularly throughout
pregnancy, optimizing health benefits for both the mother and baby.