Dean Watson PhD
(Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist)
Dean Watson’s vision is that a skilled examination of the upper neck is genuinely accepted as a legitimate, routine practice when investigating headache and migraine conditions. Dean is the Founder of the Watson Headache Approach, which is now recognised internationally for its unparalleled diagnostic accuracy and uncomplicated innovative clinical reasoning.
He has presented and taught internationally since 1995, and because of his unique experience with over 8,000 headache and migraine sufferers, continues to be sought after as Clinical Consultant at the Watson Headache® Clinic as well as Educator and Professional Mentor for the Watson Headache® Institute. In the little time that is left in a day, you’ll find Dean designing logos and book covers, enjoying a glass of pinot noir whilst preparing the evening meal, or ‘extending’ his cardio vascular system in his daily gym sessions!
Dean has finalised his PhD research program at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, which has, according to some, resulted in the most significant cervical manual therapy headache research in decades.
Current Positions
- Director The Headache Clinic Pty Ltd (established in 1991) T/A Watson Headache Clinic – Sydney and Adelaide
- Director Watson Headache Institute Pty Ltd (established 2002) T/A Watson Headache Institute – International
- Adjunct Lecturer, Masters Program, School of Physiotherapy, UniSA, South Aust
- Presenter Watson Headache® Institute Level 1 Foundation, Level 2 Consolidation and Level 3 Certification Headache Courses. Also Webinars, Update, Refresher and Mastermind Days.
Guest Speaker
- Australia, Adelaide, South Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)
- Spain, Barcelona, Physiotherapy Group
- United Kingdom, London, Physiotherapy and Orthopaedic Group
- Australia, Perth, Western Australian Branch Physiotherapy Association (APA)
- Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Branch Physiotherapy Association (APA)
- Australia, Perth, Western Australia Manual Concepts
- Australia, WHI Inaugural Headache Symposium
Courses
- Presented 1, 2, 3 and 4 day workshops Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Singapore, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Norway, Austria and Greece
- Courses have received accreditation in Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom
External Research
- Clinical Research Physiotherapist, Dr Ian Davidson of Manchester University; a clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of the Watson Headache Approach for migraine sufferers
- The study, which began recruiting in April 2007, is being carried out in three private physiotherapy practices
Mentoring
- Physiotherapy undergraduates and graduates contact Dean for educational advice and support re their research projects
- Dean is available to speak with past course participants from Manual Therapy disciplines as well as other health professionals seeking to support their patients/clients by understanding the role of the neck in headache and migraine
- Dean also supports these health professionals in how to communicate the role of the neck in headache and migraine with colleagues and the public in a professional credible manner
PhD Publications
- Watson DH, Drummond PD. Head Pain Referral During Examination of the Neck in Migraine and Tension-Type Headache. Headache 2012; 52:1226-1235
- Watson DH, Drummond PD. Cervical referral of head pain in migraineurs: Effects on the nociceptive blink reflex. Headache 2014; 54:1035-1045
- WatsonDH, Drummond PD. The Role of the Trigemino Cervical Complex in Chronic Whiplash Associated Headache: A Cross Sectional Study. Headache 2016; 56: 961-975
Qualifications
- Diploma of Technology in Physiotherapy 1976 (SAIT)
- Graduate Diploma in Advanced Manipulative Physiotherapy 1983 (UniSA)
- Master Applied Science (Manipulative Therapy – Research) 1991 (UniSA)
- PhD Conferred Murdoch University WA 2017
Presentations
- CRAFTA National Conference Nuremberg, October 2009
- Physiotherapy Conference Madrid, March 2010
- Cervicogenic Headache: Clandestine Headache. APA Branch Sydney 2012
- Headache in Sport: Exercise Induced headache. APA Sports Group Sydney 2013