From keeping you more comfortable to decreasing labor times, and ensuring your nervous system is at its peak performance while your body has the very important job of growing the newest addition to your family, Chiropractic care gives you an edge during pregnancy. The Webster technique is one specific chiropractic method that can prepare your body and your baby for a comfortable pregnancy and birth. It’s important to understand what the Webster Technique is and what’s the best time to take advantage of the Webster Technique.

What is the Webster’s Technique?

Webster Technique is an adjusting technique designed to restore and maintain balance in the pelvis and sacrum during pregnancy. This technique focuses on improving structural balance for mamas while optimizing fetal positioning which often results in an easier birth with a reduced risk of interventions.

The primary goal of the Webster Technique is to remove spinal subluxations, which relieves pressure on the uterus so the baby has more room to move.  Gentle adjustments of the sacrum are performed to ensure proper alignment with the pelvis which relieves tension on the uterus. When there is the best alignment and the least amount of tension on the uterus, the babies are able to move around freely and settle into the optimal birthing position.

When to start Webster Technique?

As soon as you see those two pink lines, the + sign or the glaring blue “PREGNANT”! Whichever test you take, as soon as you know that you’re pregnant, it is time to start receiving adjustments using the Webster Technique. 

The earlier in your pregnancy that you start these unique adjustments, the better your body is able to adapt to the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that it will have over the next nine months. 

But let’s not forget the benefit of these adjustments for your little peanut. Your baby’s neural tube (which becomes the brain and spinal cord) begins to develop at the 4th week after conception. We want mama’s nervous system to be balanced and adapted so that it can support the baby’s growth and development. 

It’s never too late to start getting Webster Technique adjustments during pregnancy, but it’s always best to start as early as possible. It can take multiple visits to realign the pelvis and get it into a position that is safe and effective for both you and your baby. Sometimes, it can take a longer period of time. The more time we have, the better prepared you, your body and your baby are for labor and birth.

When is it TOO LATE to start Webster Technique?

Of course, we’d love to see all birthing parents as soon as they are pregnant, but if you are a parent who is far into your pregnancy and has just learned about the Webster Technique, it’s not too late. 

You are able to receive adjustments using the Webster Technique up to birth. In fact, some women also get adjusted during birth to make sure their pelvis is aligned and their birth canal is opened. 

We often see women in their third trimester whose babies are in breech positions. While the Webster Technique cannot turn babies, it does remove stress on the uterus and align the pelvis. Those two things make space for the baby, who can then move and settle into the head-down position.

Benefits of Webster Technique

The Webster Technique is one of many activities you can do to prepare for the birth of your child. Some of the benefits of the Webster Technique are:

•  Better sleep and mobility
•  Decrease in discomforts such as the back, hip, pelvic, and groin pain.
• Restoring proper nerve function to reproductive organs
•  Decrease in Sciatica, and heartburn
• Optimal baby positioning
• Reduced nausea, dizziness, and joint pain
• Reduction in postpartum depression

The Webster Technique not only makes an expectant mother a bit more comfortable but can also help avoid numerous issues for the growing baby. Ultimately, it can provide more peace of mind and better birth.

Conclusion

The Webster technique is something that we recommend for all of our Blossom mamas. The outcomes, both for mom and baby, are incredible! When you’re ready to create the best environment for your baby through chiropractic care and give your body the ability to adapt during pregnancy, we’re here to hold your hand every step of the way.

As one of St. Petersburg’s Webster Certified chiropractors, we’re always striving to provide you and your baby with the best care and experience. If you are in the Tampa or St. Pete area and are looking for a prenatal chiropractor, contact us to schedule an appointment to see how Webster Technique can help during your pregnancy!

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey. You’re growing an entire human and you’re doing everything that you can to protect it! It’s fair to question any treatment, procedure or promise of relief. That’s your mother’s instinct!

When pregnant women hear that they can lay on their belly (YAY!) and get a chiropractic adjustment that can help relieve those common discomforts during pregnancy, of course they’re skeptical! 

But, it’s true! The Webster technique is a unique adjusting technique just for pregnant women.

What is the Webster technique?

The Webster Technique is a specific technique that chiropractors use during pregnancy. When a chiropractor is Webster Certified, they have taken extensive courses to understand the anatomy and movement differences that pregnant women experience. 

A chiropractic adjustment using the Webster Technique focuses on the pelvis, as well (as the muscles and ligaments surrounding it) that shift during pregnancy because of the hormone relaxin pulsing through the body. 

As your center of gravity changes and baby grows, your pelvis and hips adjust to accommodate your baby. A chiropractic adjustment using the Webster technique helps to open your pelvis and realign your hips, which is what brings you relief. 

The Webster technique is completely safe for you and your precious cargo. The adjustments are gentle and precise.

Why is the webster technique beneficial for you?

Generally, the reason that mommas seek out chiropractic care during pregnancy is to bring relief to their throbbing hips and waddle-walk. And while we want you to be the most comfortable you can be, there are so many additional benefits to getting regularly adjusted while you’re growing your baby! 

The amazing thing about chiropractic care is that it brings your nervous system to a place of balance. Your nervous system influences a majority of your body’s functions – including those needed to grow and nourish your baby. 

When you are regularly adjusted with the Webster Technique during pregnancy, you are keeping the communication between your body and your little one’s body open. 

Your baby feels what you feel. If your body is stressed – we call it stuck in sympathetic mode – your baby directly experiences the result of that stress. It can show itself as tension in the muscles like your uterus, an increase in stress hormones that will flow directly to your baby, or appetite changes that could decrease the nutrients your little one needs. 

When your nervous system is balanced because of routine chiropractic adjustments, your body moves into parasympathetic mode – a space of balance and adaptation. Your body is able to adapt to the added pressures and stressors of pregnancy and the line of communication between you and your baby is flowing freely! 

A balanced body during pregnancy looks like:

• A pelvis that is open and allows baby to settle into the position for birth 
• Hips that are comfortable to support the change of weight distribution 
• A nervous system that is communicating calm feelings to your growing baby 

Chiropractic adjustments using the Webster Technique are a non-invasive and natural way to help your body adapt to pregnancy and give your baby the best environment to grow!

Can the webster technique induce labor?

As your due date gets closer, you’re probably eager to hear that your baby is in position for birth. Ideally, babies should be head down and rear-facing when it’s time to deliver. 

When the pelvis is misaligned, it can limit the space your baby has in the womb. This makes it harder for your baby to move into the desired position for birth. However, with the Webster Technique, the pelvic balance can be restored. This can help ensure your baby is in the optimal position for birth. 

Your body is beautifully designed to send signals. One signal that your body is ready for birth is when your baby is in the proper position. 

All of that being said, Webster Technique does NOT induce labor. Instead, it prepares your body and your baby for the most comfortable birth.

The Webster technique is something that we recommend for all of our Blossom mommas. The outcomes, both for mom and baby, are incredible! When you’re ready to create the best environment for your baby through chiropractic care and give your body the ability to adapt during pregnancy, we’re here to hold your hand every step of the way.

As Webster Certified chiropractors, we’re always striving to provide you and your baby with the best care and experience. If you are in the St. Petersburg area and are looking for a prenatal chiropractor, contact us to schedule an appointment to see how Webster Technique can help during your pregnancy!

There are still many people who are unclear about what chiropractic care really involves and how it can benefit them and their baby’s overall health and well-being. Here is what you need to know about the importance of chiropractic care for you and your baby.

The Importance of Chiropractic Care

You may have visited a chiropractor because of pain in your neck or back. But, that’s not all chiropractic care is for. In fact, with routine chiropractic care, you can reap a whole host of health benefits. It is not just about your spine. It is about the nervous system and every part of your body. The main goal is to improve the overall function of the nervous system which impacts your daily function and quality of life. Regular chiropractic adjustments keep your nervous system healthy and fully operational so that your body is able to function at its highest potential and adjust to any external stressors that present themselves and help you feel happier and more satisfied with your life. This is all true for babies just as much as it is for adults! 

Chiropractic care addresses problems in people of all ages. Young children can also benefit from it. You don’t have to be grown-up to gain a wide range of advantages offered by chiropractic care.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Babies?

Seeing your baby cry is very frustrating, and it is a major concern for parents. Every parent wants to know that their infant is well cared for and never in a dangerous situation. As parents, you may be wondering if chiropractic care is safe for your baby or not. The answer is yes, chiropractic care is safe for your baby. Chiropractic care for adults may involve a little use of force but for babies, there is a different and very gentle approach.

Babies face a lot of physical roadblocks on the path to proper, healthy development. Regular chiropractic care is one of the safest, most effective ways to make sure that your baby gets the proper care. 

As a parent, your top priority is making sure your baby is healthy and happy. The results of pediatric chiropractic care can often make a huge difference. When treating babies, we apply gentle pressure with our fingertips. Chiropractic adjustments keep your baby comfortable and promote overall health and wellness.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for baby’s Overall Wellness?

A child’s body undergoes so many changes during their first few years of development. They are constantly in a state of play and discovery. The alignment of the spine is very important for proper development during this time. When a child’s spine is in alignment, their nervous system is functioning at its prime. Even the slightest misalignment, or what we refer to as a subluxation, can affect them causing stress on their nervous system.

Babies receive amazing benefits from chiropractic care. Some of them are:

1. Support the immune system

Stress can directly weaken the baby’s immune system, making them more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. Pediatric Chiropractic Care is a great way to support a child’s immune system so that they can better fight off sickness.

2. Improved Sleep

Sleep is critical to a child’s development. Gentle chiropractic adjustments stimulate the parasympathetic portion of the nervous system, the part of the nervous system that controls sleep. By getting adjusted, children are able to get into a “rest and digest” mode, and parents see better sleep in their little ones!

3. Prevent ear infection

Chiropractic care can help manage ear infections. Ear infection happens when excess fluid builds up in the ears’ eustachian tubes. When this part fails to drain, it causes excessive pressure in a baby’s ears, which causes pain and infection. Chiropractic care helps drain the eustachian tube by dilating the muscles around it, which relieves pressure and unblocks it.

4. Treats colic in fussy babies

Chiropractic care for colic is very effective. It can make a world of difference for a colicky, distressed baby. Colic can leave parents feeling helpless. Gentle adjustments from chiropractic care can take their body out of a fight or flight, stressed state, and stimulate the “rest, digest, and relaxation” portion of their nervous system to make them calm and relaxed.

5. Treats Torticollis

Torticollis causes the head to tilt down or to one side because of problems in the muscles of the neck. For babies with torticollis, chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine drastically improve range of motion and calm muscle spasms to improve head tilt and restore full mobility.

Chiropractic care for children has so many positive effects on a child’s development and well-being. These are just a few of the benefits we see for chiropractic care in babies and kids. If you want your kids to benefit from chiropractic care, we’re here to hold your hand every step of the way.

As your St. Petersburg pediatric chiropractors, we’re always striving to provide you and your family with the best care and experience. Chiropractic treatment is not just about your spine, it’s about promoting overall wellness. Chiropractic adjustments help keep your nervous system healthy and fully operational. It also provides preventive care in daily life as well as helps to improve the overall health and wellness of both children and adults. Routine chiropractic adjustments can be a great solution for the entire family. It can have a positive, long-lasting effect on each family member. 

If you are in St. Pete, Florida area, we would love to see you in our office!

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your kiddo and help them reach their fullest potential!

The deeper that we get into the winter months, the more often we hear “oh, it’s just flu season”. When your kiddos are sick every other week at school when you’re fighting the sniffles and a throbbing head while running around from family to family when you can’t sleep because your sinuses are so full…

It’s NOT just flu season. 

There are many factors that go into WHY you often catch viruses during this time of the year. During the holiday season, it’s easy to indulge in the extra sweets. You’re probably feeling stressed from the added activities and trying to make the season magical. And our guess is that you probably aren’t sleeping well.

All of these things affect your body’s ability to adapt at its best. You and your family’s nervous system is facing additional stressors and your immune system suffers because of it.

But the good news? Chiropractic adjustments, along with a few other tips we will share with you, can help your nervous system adapt to the added stressors and make sure your body is functioning at it’s best for the season! 

These are our top 5 recommendations to incorporate into your daily lifestyle that will help you and your kiddos adapt through the holidays! 

1.  Consistent chiropractic care. Keep your nervous system free of interferences so that your body can communicate its needs! 

2. Stay hydrated. Try drinking a glass of water just before bed and one as soon as you wake up!

3. Balance the extra sweet with whole foods. When you’re crafting those perfect holiday meals, add some fresh fruit to the tablescape! 

4. Get moving when you can. Take the family (even the extra ones visiting!) for a nature walk. 

5. Decrease the added stress (when you are able!). This might look like setting boundaries around visitors. 

We’d be lying if we said you and your family will absolutely make it through the season without feeling under the weather at some point. But by taking care of you + your family’s body, you can significantly reduce your chances of feeling so cruddy! 

To book an appointment to get you and your kiddos adjusted during the season, visit https://blossomfamilychiropractic.com/contact-us/ and reach out to us! 

Dry brushing. Maybe you’ve heard of it in a health magazine years ago, or a friend mentioned it in your last fitness class. But what is it really? And how can it benefit you?

Dry brushing is a technique that has been used for thousands of years as a health practice to remove old skin, regenerate new healthy skin, and detoxify your lymphatic system. Here are 10 reasons why you should give this simple practice a try.

1. Dry Brushing stimulates the glands located around your body such as the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, etc. helping them wake up, function properly and work they way they are supposed to.
2. Dry Brushing removes old dead skin. Removing old skin helps your skin breath optimally and glow the way that it’s supposed to.
3. Dry Brushing stimulates new skin growth. The semi-rough bristle action of the dry brush on your skin is going to help stimulate your skin to produce new skin cells. This helps regenerate new beautiful skin for that amazing youthful vibrancy!
4. Dry Brushing helps the lymphatic system move and detoxify. Our lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump in the same way that the other fluid in our body, the blood, does. Our lymphatic system depends on muscle movement to help the fluid get to where it needs to go to be filtered and eliminated out of the body. Dry brushing is a gentle movement over the lymphatic system that can benefit immensely in getting the lymphatic fluids to the detoxification organs that filter the fluid and eventually expel it out of the body.
5. Dry Brushing can help reduce cellulite by breaking up some of the stored toxins underneath the skin to smooth things out.
6. Dry Brushing enhances blood circulation.
7. Dry Brushing clears up the skin from dead skin, toxins and debris to be able to absorb nutrients, sunlight, and be able to breath better.
8. Dry Brushing helps stimulate and rejuvenate the nervous system, making the nerves right underneath the skin much more responsive.
9. Dry Brushing relieves stress. The slow brushing of the skin is soothing and relaxing. Most people who finish a session of dry brushing feel like it’s a meditation in and of itself, leaving you feeling calm and relaxed.
10. Dry Brushing improves digestive and kidney function. Improving the circulation of the fluids in the body greatly effects the function of the elimination organs. When you help move those fluids towards these organs, they can move through their cycle quicker and keep your body cleaner overall.

How to begin: You can find an inexpensive dry brush at almost any health food store, or online. You’ll do this practice with a dry brush and dry skin right before you shower.  Begin by brushing the bottoms of the feet gently, then use brush strokes up the body always in the direction of the torso. From the hands, work your way up the arms towards the torso as well. Brush the stomach in a clockwise circular direction. Work your way around the rest of your body covering all areas, being careful to not dry brush sensitive areas such as the face and breasts. Go in circular movements wherever there are lymph nodes to help stimulate detoxification, such as the armpit area. Once you’ve covered the whole body, you’re done!

Repeat this practice three to four times a week or daily for incredible rejuvenation of your skin, leaving it softer, smoother, and feeling ten years younger!