What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic assessment and adjusting approach focusing on the sacrum, sacroiliac joints and surrounding pelvic tissues.
It generally involves assessing the way the pelvis and sacrum are moving and, where clinically appropriate, using gentle chiropractic adjustments together with specific soft-tissue contacts around the pelvis.
The technique can be adapted to the individual person, their stage of pregnancy, comfort and clinical presentation.
Importantly, the Webster Technique is performed on the mother. It is not a technique performed on the baby.
Does the Webster Technique turn a breech baby?
No. The Webster Technique is not a technique for turning a breech baby.
This is probably the biggest misconception surrounding Webster Technique.
Historically, the technique became associated with breech presentation after pregnant women receiving Webster care reported changes in fetal position. This led to it sometimes being described inaccurately as a “breech turning technique”.
Even the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), which teaches Webster Technique, states that it should not be promoted as a treatment for fetal malposition or intrauterine constraint.
Research specifically examining the Webster Technique is also limited, particularly in relation to claims about changing fetal position or improving birth outcomes.
If your baby is breech or you have concerns about your baby's position, this should be discussed with your midwife, obstetrician or other maternity healthcare provider.
The role of chiropractic care is different: our assessment and treatment is directed towards the mother's musculoskeletal system.
Why might someone see a chiropractor during pregnancy?
Pregnancy changes the mechanical demands placed on the body.
As pregnancy progresses, changes in abdominal weight, posture, ligament behaviour and movement can affect the way the lower back, pelvis and hips are loaded.
Some pregnant patients therefore seek chiropractic care for musculoskeletal concerns including:
lower back pain
pelvic or sacroiliac joint discomfort
hip and gluteal discomfort
difficulty finding comfortable positions
stiffness or restricted movement associated with the musculoskeletal system.
A chiropractic consultation should first determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.
Not every pregnancy-related symptom is musculoskeletal, and referral to your GP, midwife, obstetrician or another healthcare practitioner may sometimes be more appropriate.
What happens during a Webster Technique appointment?
Your first appointment begins with a history and assessment.
We want to understand what you are experiencing, how far along you are in your pregnancy, what movements or activities are uncomfortable and whether there are any factors that may change the way we assess or care for you.
Where appropriate, the chiropractor may assess areas including the lower back, sacrum, pelvis and hips.
If Webster Technique is considered suitable, treatment may involve a combination of a specific pelvic or sacral adjustment and gentle soft-tissue contacts.
We don't use exactly the same treatment for every pregnant patient.
The technique, positioning and amount of force used can be modified according to your stage of pregnancy, clinical findings, comfort and preferences.
Can I lie on my stomach while pregnant?
For many women, surprisingly, yes.
Our treatment rooms have pregnancy-specific belly pillows designed to accommodate the abdomen while allowing a pregnant patient to lie comfortably face down.
For some mums, it becomes one of the few opportunities they have to comfortably lie on their stomach later in pregnancy.
However, you never have to lie in a position that feels uncomfortable.
Chiropractic assessment and treatment can be modified using side-lying, seated or other positions where necessary.
Your comfort and preferences are always part of deciding how care is provided.
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
Before commencing treatment, your chiropractor should consider whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you, discuss the proposed treatment and adapt techniques to your individual circumstances.
Pregnancy is also a time when symptoms that appear to be back, pelvic or abdominal discomfort can occasionally have causes that require medical or maternity assessment.
If something in your history or examination suggests that chiropractic care is not appropriate, we will recommend that you speak with your GP, midwife, obstetrician or another suitable health professional. As with any healthcare intervention, chiropractic treatment can have potential risks and side effects. Your chiropractor will discuss whether the proposed treatment is appropriate for your individual circumstances before proceeding.
Is Webster Technique only used late in pregnancy?
No.
Although Webster Technique is frequently discussed in relation to later pregnancy, the assessment can be used at different stages of pregnancy when clinically appropriate.
Whether we use Webster Technique — or any other chiropractic technique — depends on the individual patient rather than simply how many weeks pregnant they are.
Chiropractic techniques during pregnancy
Our chiropractors use a range of approaches and modify care according to the individual patient.
Depending on your clinical assessment and preferences, techniques may include:
Webster Technique
A specific assessment and adjusting approach focusing on the sacral and pelvic region.
Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT)
A low-force chiropractic approach that can be adapted for comfortable positioning during pregnancy.
Activator Technique
An instrument-assisted adjusting method that allows a localised, low-force contact.
Manual chiropractic techniques
Manual techniques may also be used where appropriate and can be modified according to the patient's needs and stage of pregnancy.
The important point is that pregnancy chiropractic care isn't one particular adjustment or technique. Treatment should be individualised to the person in front of us.
Pregnancy chiropractic care at Little Mountain Chiropractic
Little Mountain Chiropractic has been caring for families on the southern Sunshine Coast for many years, and our chiropractors have experience assessing and caring for pregnant patients.
Our clinic is equipped with pregnancy-specific support pillows and our chiropractors can modify positioning and techniques as pregnancy progresses.
We see patients from Little Mountain, Caloundra, Caloundra West, Aura, Baringa, Nirimba, Meridan Plains, Birtinya and surrounding Sunshine Coast communities.
Our clinic is located at:
Little Mountain Chiropractic
2/65 Pierce Avenue
Little Mountain QLD 4551
If you are pregnant and experiencing back, pelvic or other musculoskeletal discomfort, or would simply like to know whether chiropractic assessment may be appropriate for you, you are welcome to contact our clinic and speak with one of our chiropractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Webster Technique the same as turning a breech baby?
No. Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique directed towards the mother's sacral and pelvic region. It is not a procedure performed on the baby and should not be described as a technique for turning a breech baby.
Can I have Webster Technique if my baby isn't breech?
Yes. Webster Technique is not specifically a breech-presentation technique. Whether it is appropriate depends on your chiropractic assessment and individual circumstances.
What should I do if my baby is breech?
Discuss your baby's presentation with your midwife, obstetrician or maternity healthcare provider. They can explain the appropriate options available to you based on your individual pregnancy.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor while pregnant?
Generally, you do not need a referral to make a private chiropractic appointment. Some Medicare-funded care arrangements require a GP referral.
Can I use private health insurance for chiropractic care?
Chiropractic services may be covered by private health insurance extras depending on your insurer and level of cover. It is worth checking your individual policy.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily is usually ideal. If a particular position is uncomfortable during your pregnancy, let your chiropractor know so the assessment or treatment can be modified.
Can chiropractic treatment be modified later in pregnancy?
Yes. Positioning and techniques can be adapted as pregnancy progresses. This may include pregnancy support pillows, side-lying or seated treatment depending on your comfort and clinical needs.
About the author
Clinically reviewed by Dr Mark Townsend, Chiropractor. (B.App. Sci. / B. Chiro.)
Dr Mark Townsend graduated from RMIT University in 2005 and has extensive experience in family chiropractic care, including the assessment and management of musculoskeletal concerns during pregnancy.
Last reviewed: September 2026