07/08/2025
Balancing Birth: How Chiropractic Care Supports Breech Babies Through the Correction of Vertebral Subluxation
Understanding the Connection Between Spinal Alignment, Fetal Positioning, and the Power of the Nervous System
McCoy Press
Jul 8
READ IN APP
Few experiences are as transformative and complex as pregnancy. As the body adapts to carry and nurture new life, it undergoes countless changes—hormonally, structurally, and neurologically. One of the most important aspects of this journey is the positioning of the baby in utero, especially as labor approaches. Ideally, babies move into a head-down, or vertex, position in preparation for birth. However, in some cases, they remain in a breech position—feet or buttocks down—leading to concerns about birth complications and often resulting in cesarean delivery.
While breech presentation has several known contributing factors, including uterine anomalies and muscular tension, emerging research and clinical experience point to the importance of maternal spinal and pelvic alignment in supporting optimal fetal positioning. This is where chiropractic care, specifically focused on the detection and correction of vertebral subluxation, plays a unique and valuable role.
Understanding Breech Presentation
Breech presentation occurs in approximately 3-4% of full-term pregnancies. It can present in different forms—complete, frank, or footling breech—each with its own implications for delivery. While some breech presentations may spontaneously correct, others remain unresolved despite various interventions. Traditional medical approaches may include the external cephalic version (ECV), a manual technique used to turn the baby from the outside, or surgical delivery when repositioning is unsuccessful or contraindicated.
However, what is often overlooked is the internal environment that either facilitates or hinders the baby's ability to move freely into the ideal position. The alignment of the maternal pelvis, the tension in supporting ligaments, and the balance of surrounding musculature all influence the space and conditions within the uterus. Chiropractic care addresses these biomechanical and neurological elements by focusing on the spine and nervous system.
What Is Vertebral Subluxation?
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.
Vertebral subluxations may be subtle, yet their impact can be profound. In the context of pregnancy, subluxations affecting the sacrum, pelvis, or lumbar spine may result in imbalances in pelvic alignment or tension in the ligaments that support the uterus, such as the round ligaments and uterosacral ligaments. These imbalances may create intrauterine constraint, reducing the baby’s ability to assume a vertex position naturally.
How Chiropractic Supports Breech Cases
One chiropractic approach known for its use in pregnancy is the Webster Technique. This technique involves gentle, specific adjustments to the sacrum, along with analysis and correction of associated soft tissue tension. While chiropractic does not aim to “turn the baby,” the goal is to create an environment in the pelvis and uterus that allows the baby to move into the best possible position on its own.
Research and case studies have consistently shown positive outcomes when chiropractic care is included in the care plan for breech pregnancies. In many cases, pregnant individuals receiving Webster-based chiropractic care have reported changes in fetal positioning following adjustments, with subsequent vaginal deliveries. These outcomes speak to the power of restoring alignment and reducing nerve interference to support the body’s natural processes.
Chiropractic Is Not a Treatment for Breech
It is important to understand that chiropractic care does not treat breech presentation or attempt to reposition the baby directly. Instead, chiropractic is focused on the location and reduction of vertebral subluxation, allowing the body to heal itself. This distinction is vital. Chiropractors do not manipulate the fetus or force any changes but work with the nervous system to help the body function as it was designed to. By removing nerve interference and restoring balance to the spine and pelvis, the body is better able to support the positioning and development of the fetus.
This approach is grounded in the principle that the body is self-healing and self-regulating. When interference to the nervous system is removed, the body can return to a state of better function—whether that means reduced pain, improved mobility, or creating the optimal conditions for a baby to move freely.
The Role of the Nervous System
Pregnancy is not only a physical journey but also a neurological one. The nervous system governs every aspect of development, movement, and adaptation. For both the mother and the growing baby, optimal nerve function is essential. Vertebral subluxations disrupt the flow of communication between the brain and body, often without immediate symptoms. In the context of pregnancy, this disruption may manifest as discomfort, pelvic tension, or even abnormal fetal positioning.
By correcting vertebral subluxations, chiropractic care enhances the function of the nervous system. For the pregnant individual, this can mean greater comfort, improved mobility, and reduced pelvic imbalance. For the baby, it may mean increased space, freedom of movement, and the ability to assume the ideal position for birth.
Collaboration and Evidence
Chiropractors often work collaboratively with midwives, obstetricians, and other birth professionals. In fact, a growing number of midwives now refer their clients to chiropractors who are trained in prenatal care. One recent case report in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic (Hosaka & Alcantara, 2025) described a successful vaginal birth following chiropractic care using the Webster Technique for a woman whose baby was in a transverse lie. The patient’s pelvis was structurally imbalanced, and chiropractic adjustments led to improved fetal positioning, allowing for a safer and more natural birth outcome.
This case is one of many highlighting the powerful role that chiropractic can play in supporting natural, healthy pregnancies. As more research is published and more providers integrate chiropractic into prenatal care, awareness continues to grow around the benefits of this holistic, non-invasive approach.
A Natural Path to Better Birth Outcomes
Chiropractic care offers a safe and gentle way to support the pregnant body through one of the most important transitions of life. By focusing on the nervous system and the structural integrity of the spine and pelvis, chiropractors provide essential care that helps both mother and baby function at their best.
For those facing breech presentation, chiropractic offers hope—not by treating the condition directly, but by restoring the body’s ability to adapt and self-correct. As we continue to learn more about the relationship between vertebral subluxation, nervous system function, and birth outcomes, one thing is clear: supporting the body from within can lead to powerful changes from the outside.
