New Research Highlights the Role of Chiropractic Care in Supporting Breech Pregnancy and Reducing Pain
Originally published: 2025-10-06
ATLANTA, Georgia – 2025
A new study has been published in the Journal of Pediatric Maternal & Family Health Chiropractic adds to the growing body of evidence supporting chiropractic care as a safe, non-invasive option for pregnant women experiencing breech presentation and musculoskeletal discomfort. The literature supports the role of chiropractic in those suffering from the related health challenges and calls for more research in this area.
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The success of this case is linked to the biomechanical and neurological effects of chiropractic adjustments. According to Dr. McCoy, Editor of the journal, “The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body, and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves, and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.”
Specifically, sacral and pelvic misalignments can create tension and imbalance in the muscles and ligaments supporting the uterus—such as the psoas, piriformis, and round ligaments—which may contribute to intrauterine constraint. By reducing this tension and improving pelvic balance, the Webster Technique helps create an optimal environment for the baby to move freely into the correct position for birth.
The study emphasizes that chiropractic does not treat breech presentation directly but rather focuses on optimizing spinal and pelvic alignment to allow the body—and baby—to function more effectively. This case is one of several adding clinical support to the Webster Technique’s role in promoting maternal comfort and ideal fetal positioning.
A 32-year-old mother expecting her third child was experiencing intense low back and pelvic pain during her third trimester. The discomfort made it difficult for her to sleep, care for her young children, or even stand for long periods. At 35 weeks pregnant, doctors discovered that her baby was in a frank breech position—meaning the baby’s bottom was down and legs were extended upward toward the head, instead of head-down for birth.
Wanting to avoid surgery if possible and seeking relief from her pain, she turned to chiropractic care. Her chiropractor used a specialized pregnancy technique called the Webster Technique, which focuses on balancing the pelvis and reducing tension in the surrounding muscles and ligaments. The goal wasn’t to turn the baby directly, but to restore balance in the mother’s body so the baby could move more freely into the best position for birth.
Over the course of several visits, her back and hip pain improved significantly. Then, at just over 37 weeks, something amazing happened—her baby, once breech, was born naturally in the head-down position. No surgery. No external procedures. Just a body that could finally work the way it was meant to.
This case shows how chiropractic care can support a more comfortable pregnancy and help create the right conditions for a safer, easier birth—even when challenges like breech presentation arise. The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
Contact Information:
Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic
http://www.chiropracticpediatricresearch.net
drmatthewmccoy@gmail.com
954.281.2638
