We Help You Understand the Role of Disorders of the Upper Neck in Cervicogenic and Primary Headache
Dr Dean Watson PhD Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
We Help You Understand the Role of Disorders of the Upper Neck in Cervicogenic and Primary Headache
Dr Dean Watson PhD Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
We Help You Understand the Role of Disorders of the Upper Neck in Cervicogenic and Primary Headache
Dr Dean Watson PhD Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Welcome to the Watson Headache® Clinic and Watson Headache® Institute
Watson Headache® is an evidence-informed perspective and the Watson Headache® Approach is evidence-informed practice when considering the role of the neck in Cervicogenic and Primary Headache
My vision is that a skilled examination of the upper cervical spine becomes accepted universally as integral when investigating the source of headache and migraine (and other conditions in which the underlying disorder is a sensitised brainstem).
Watson Headache®
Clinic
Using the Watson Headache® Approach to confirm or rule out disorders of your upper neck as contributing to or causing your headache or migraine and related conditions.
Living with Headache, Migraine or Related Conditions?
Watson Headache®
Institute
Learn how to address a previously unrecognised pattern of musculoskeletal misbehaviour in the upper cervical spine using the Watson Headache® Approach.
managing Headache, Migraine Or Related Conditions?
We Love Making a Difference
For You If You Are a Health Professional Managing Headache, Migraine, or Related Conditions?
If you don’t know where to start and need help, here is some important information about Primary, Secondary and Cervicogenic Headache.
Headache Classification
Primary Headache
Primary Headache is a bit of a mystery. These headaches occur without any identifiable underlying cause. This leaves us to wonder why they happen in the first place.
Secondary Headache
Secondary Headache results from an underlying and identifiable condition such as a disease, infection, or structural anatomical abnormality in the spine or head.
cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic Headache is a type of headache that has its origins in problems with the upper cervical (neck) spine, which can occur with or without neck pain.
Note: Cervicogenic Headache is classified as a Secondary Headache.
Irrespective of your diagnosis, if your headache is one-sided and can occur exclusively on either side, between episodes or within the same episode, this confirms cervicogenic headache.
Primary Headache includes:
- Tension Headache (TTHs)
- Migraine Headache (with or without aura), as well as Chronic Migraine with Medication Overuse, Vestibular Migraine, Hemiplegic Migraine, Menstrual Migraine, Retinal Migraine (Ophthalmic or Ocular Migraine), Silent Migraine (Migraine without head pain), Status Migrainosus, Basilar-Type Migraine, Abdominal Migraine (often called the ‘Childs Migraine’) and other variants
- Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs) includes cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT, an acronym for Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform Headache with Conjunctival Tearing
- Hemicrania Continua
- Chronic Daily Headache; New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH)
These are just a few examples of primary headache types, and there are other less common types and subtypes. It’s important to note that the diagnosis and treatment of primary headaches should be done by a qualified healthcare professional. Furthermore, given that the cause is unknown, a skilled examination of the upper neck is advisable.
Related Conditions are those that commonly occur with headache or migraine. These include but are not limited to the following:
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
Central Sleep Apnea
Vasovagal episodes (including syncope)
Post-concussion Syndrome (headache is the predominant symptom)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Advocating for Cervicogenic Headache and the role of disorders in the upper neck in Primary Headache and related conditions.
Philosophy
We believe dysfunction of the upper neck plays a crucial role not only in Cervicogenic Headache but also in Primary Headache, unless evidence suggests otherwise.
Mission
We are dedicated to promoting the widespread recognition of the high prevalence of Cervicogenic Headache and the causal involvement of upper neck disorders in Primary Headache.
Vision
We envision a future in which a comprehensive, skilled manual examination of the upper cervical spine becomes a credible, routine diagnostic step when investigating primary headache conditions.