Watson Headache Clinic

Watson Headache Clinic Watson Headache Clinic is a world leader in assessment and management of Upper Cervical Dysfunction (neck disorders) in Headache and Migraine conditions.

Watson Headache Clinic Adelaide is internationally recognised centres providing unparalleled experience in the assessment and treatment of Upper Cervical Dysfunction (neck disorders) in Headache and Migraine conditions. With exceptional training in the Watson Headache Approach, Practitioners at the Clinics support those affected by many different forms of Headache and Migraine.

Headache ClassificationHeadache Classifications are often descriptive rather than based on underlying cause.They describ...
14/05/2026

Headache Classification

Headache Classifications are often descriptive rather than based on underlying cause.

They describe what the headache looks like rather than why it is happening.

For example, classifications such as:
• Migraine
• Tension-type headache
• Cluster headache
• Cervicogenic headache

are largely defined by:
• pain location,
• symptom patterns,
• duration,
• associated symptoms (nausea, light sensitivity, aura, etc.),
• attack frequency.

This groups people by symptom presentation, rather than a mechanism-based diagnosis.

Upper cervical dysfunction may contribute to headache currently classified as migraine, tension headache and cluster headache.

The neck can feed abnormal nociceptive input into the trigeminocervical nucleus. This can initiate sensitisation and the resulting symptoms can satisfy formal Primary Headache criteria even if the cervical spine is a major perpetuating factor.

Headache classification describes a recognisable symptom cluster, but does not necessarily explain the biological source generating the symptoms.

Watson Headache® InstituteEducating the public and health professionals about, and advocating for, the role of neck diso...
18/06/2022

Watson Headache® Institute

Educating the public and health professionals about, and advocating for, the role of neck disorders in Headache and Migraine is the primary role of the Watson Headache® Institute. On behalf of the Institute, I have been teaching and presenting internationally to health professionals and the public since the mid-nineties.

The Watson Headache® Institute was established to increase the awareness of cervicogenic (neck) disorders in headache and migraine by imparting my (and that of others) clinical experience and knowledge; to present and discuss past and present relevant research and to undertake and support rigorous clinical and scientific research in this specialty.

The Watson Headache® Institute is recognised as the premier international training organisation for assessment and management of the upper cervical spine (neck) in Headache and Migraine conditions – the Watson Headache® Approach.

Appropriate and up-to-date knowledge is self-empowering; I believe that every person living with Cervicogenic Headache or Primary Headache has the right to know their headache diagnosis as precisely as possible (and what it means), to know the nature of their headache disorder, its outcome and possible types of management.

Although Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy are different disciplines, we are supporters of the idea that people living with headache and migraine, no matter what their diagnosis, can be helped to live their lives more effectively through appropriate management of relevant neck disorders. It is essential that all factors, which have the potential to sensitise the brainstem, be investigated equally.

Please click the link https://bit.ly/3Oho26m to access more information about the Watson Headache® Institute.

How can a neck disorder refer pain to the head?Head pain occurs when normal signals from structures within the head and ...
14/06/2022

How can a neck disorder refer pain to the head?

Head pain occurs when normal signals from structures within the head and abnormal signals from the upper neck merge in the top part of the spinal cord.

Together the normal and abnormal information then travels to the brain.

The brain incorrectly interprets the abnormal information (which came from the neck) as coming from inside the head, and head pain is produced.

To find out more please go to https://bit.ly/2HH69iO.

Watson Headache® ClinicWhen I established (1991), the Watson Headache® Clinic (formerly The Headache Clinic), Adelaide, ...
24/05/2022

Watson Headache® Clinic

When I established (1991), the Watson Headache® Clinic (formerly The Headache Clinic), Adelaide, South Australia, it was my goal to provide a specific, skilled, advanced assessment and management of the upper neck along with education for those living with cerviogenic and primary headache.

In the clinical situation, a diagnosis is not important; a diagnosis is just based on (unvalidated) signs and symptoms, so it is nothing more than an opinion.

The brainstem (the relay centre of all headache and migraine information) is sensitised in primary headache.

To answer the vexed question… what is sensitising the brainstem (?) is to optimise outcomes; effective subjective and objective examinations either confirm or rule out the relevancy of cervical afferents as the peripheral source of sensitisation of the brainstem.

Please click https://bit.ly/39KroQ8 if you would like to know more.

Cervicogenic’ refers to ‘neck-related’ and therefore the cause of ‘Cervicogenic Headache’ lies in the neck; more specifi...
16/05/2022

Cervicogenic’ refers to ‘neck-related’ and therefore the cause of ‘Cervicogenic Headache’ lies in the neck; more specifically research has shown that the cause will be found in the top three spinal segments or joints.

Consequently, head pain is referred from a disturbance of any structure supplied by the top three spinal nerves. These structures include an intervertebral disc, small muscles, joints and their associated ligaments and capsules.

To find out more please go to https://watsonheadache.com/.

A Little Bit About...Watson Headache® Approach, what we do ...Recognised as a scientifically researched method of examin...
11/05/2022

A Little Bit About...

Watson Headache® Approach, what we do ...

Recognised as a scientifically researched method of examination and management of the upper cervical spine in Cervicogenic and Primary Headache, the Watson Headache® Approach comprises a series of original and other non-high velocity thrust manual techniques and exercises that are embedded in an innovative clinical reasoning process to address a previously (until the early 90s) unrecognised pattern of relevant musculoskeletal misbehaviour.

A fundamental and founding (early 90s) tenet of the Watson Headache® Approach is the reproduction and resolution of typical head pain when applying sustained pressure to specific upper cervical (including C0-C1) intervertebral segments. The latter identifies with unerring accuracy the referring segment and research has shown that reproduction and resolution confirm a cervical (peripheral) source of central sensitisation in primary headache conditions

Please click the link https://watsonheadache.com/about-watson-headache-approach/ if you would like to know more.

The term ‘cervicogenic headache’ is simplistic, primitive; it limits cervical afferents to ‘cervicogenic headache’. This...
06/05/2022

The term ‘cervicogenic headache’ is simplistic, primitive; it limits cervical afferents to ‘cervicogenic headache’.

This does a disservice to, and facilitates ignorance of, the role of upper cervical afferents in migraine and other primary headache conditions.

To find out more please go to our Watson Headache website.

Highlighting...The Occiput (O)The Occiput (the base of the skull), with its unique convex anatomical features, forms a s...
04/05/2022

Highlighting...

The Occiput (O)

The Occiput (the base of the skull), with its unique convex anatomical features, forms a special union with the concave Atlas(C1).

The junction between the Occiput (O) and Atlas (C1) is one spinal segment contributing significantly to Cervicogenic and Primary Headache.

Watson Headache provides education for Health Professionals and the public about Cervicogenic Headache and the Role of Cervical Afferents in Primary Headache.

Thank you for your interest in the Watson Headache® Clinic.This page is primarily for those living with Cervicogenic and...
28/04/2022

Thank you for your interest in the Watson Headache® Clinic.
This page is primarily for those living with Cervicogenic and Primary Headache. The Clinic provides assessment, management and education in Cervicogenic Headache and the Role of C1-3 Afferents in Primary Headache.

For your interest, our other pages are...
Watson Headache® Institute: posts are primary for Health Professionals who support those living with Cervicogenic Primary Headache. The Institute provides education about Cervicogenic Headache and the Role of C1-3 Afferents in Primary Headache.

https://www.facebook.com/WatsonHeadacheInstitute

Watson Headache® (our brand name): posts are for anyone with an interest in Cervicogenic Headache and the Role of C1-3 Afferents in Primary Headache.

https://www.facebook.com/WatsonHeadache

Dr Dean Watson PhD (APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist) is the Founder of the...

and
.

https://www.facebook.com/DrDeanWatson

Dean provides commentary about Cervicogenic Headache and the Role of C1-3 Afferents in Primary Headache based on his clinical experience, research and reading.

Of course you are most welcome to find out more by going to our Watson Headache® website.

Primary Headache is a headache where the pathophysiology is unknown and includes: Tension Headache (TTHs); Migraine Head...
28/04/2022

Primary Headache is a headache where the pathophysiology is unknown and includes:

Tension Headache (TTHs);
Migraine Headache (with or without aura);
Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs) (including cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania) and SUNCT, an acronym for short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival tearing;
New Daily Persistent Headache (Chronic Headache).

To find out more please go to the link in our bio and choose Institute.

Address

Level 2, 70 Hindmarsh Square
Adelaide, SA
5000

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 1pm
Thursday 1pm - 6pm
Friday 8am - 1pm

Telephone

+61870872157

Website

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