Labelle Chiropractic Clinic

OBJECTIVE: To survey members of the International Chiropractic
Pediatric Association (ICPA); regarding the use of the Webster
Technique for managing the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine
constraint, which may necessitate cesarean section. METHODS: Surveys
were mailed to 1047 US and Canadian members of the ICPA. RESULTS: One
hundred eighty-seven surveys were returned from 1047 ICPA members,
constituting a return rate of 17.86%. Seventy-five responses did not
meet the study inclusion criteria and were excluded; 112 surveys (11%)
provided the data. Of these 112 surveys, 102 (92%) resulted in
resolution of the breech presentation, while 10 (9%) remained
unresolved. CONCLUSION: The surveyed doctors reported a high rate of
success (82%) in relieving the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine
constraint using the Webster Technique. Although the sample size was
small, the results suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the
Webster Technique in month 8 of pregnancy, when breech presentation is
unlikely to spontaneously convert to cephalic presentation and when
external cephalic version is not an effective technique. When
successful, the Webster Technique avoids the costs and/or risks of
external cephalic version, cesarean section, or vaginal trial of
breech.In view of these findings, the Webster Technique deserves
serious consideration in the health care management of expectant
mothers exhibiting adverse fetal presentation.

JMPT 2002 - Jul-Aug; 25(6)