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Study Shows Chiropractic
Technique Effective In Breech Turning
A study published in the July/August 2002 issue of the
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT)
shows that a chiropractic technique known as the
"Webster Technique" for managing the musculoskeletal
causes of intrauterine constraint, is effective in cases
of pregnancy with women experiencing breech presentation
which can lead to a cesarean section birth.
According to the published study, "Intrauterine
constraint is defined as any force external to the
developing fetus that obstructs the normal movement of
the fetus." Intrauterine constraint can prevent the
developing fetus from moving into the normal head-down
position needed for a normal vaginal birth. When this
happens this is called a "breech presentation". This
situation plays a critical role in how the mother
delivers her baby. According to the statistics published
in the article, in the United States 86% of all infants
with breech presentation are delivered by cesarean
section.
According to the JMPT article, the Webster Technique is
a chiropractic technique designed to relieve the
musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint. This
technique is also known by names such as as Webster's
In-Utero Constraint Technique or Webster's Breech
Turning Technique. The Webster Technique was developed
by Dr. Larry Webster in 1978. Dr. Webster was often
referred to in the Chiropractic profession as "The
Grandfather of Chiropractic Pediatrics." Additionally,
the technique is presently taught in many chiropractic
colleges and postgraduate chiropractic education
seminars.
The study was done by surveying a large number of
doctors of chiropractic who use the technique to see the
percentage of results they obtain on real patients. The
survey required detailed information to verify the
accuracy of the responses. The results showed that 82%
of the doctors surveyed reported a high rate of success
when using the Webster Technique. The results from the
study suggested that it may be beneficial to perform the
Webster Technique in the 8th month of pregnancy, if it
has been determined that the child is in the breech
position. This timing is important because from the 8th
month on, a breech presentation is unlikely to
spontaneously convert to the normal head down position.
The study concludes by saying, "when successful, the
Webster Technique avoids the costs and risks of cesarean
section or vaginal trial of breech. In view of these
findings, the Webster Technique deserves serious
consideration in the management of expectant mothers
exhibiting adverse fetal presentation."
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