• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Watson Headache HomepageWatson Headache

Headache Appoarch

Phone Icon Call Us
National/International Institute: +61 2 9009 1555
Adelaide Clinic: +61 8 7087 2157
  • Insights
  • Commentary
  • Contact
  • Membership Login
  • Home
  • About Our Approach
  • Dr Dean Watson
  • Clinic
  • Management
  • Institute
  • Education
  • Find a Practitioner
  • NEW ONLINE COURSE
  • Insights
  • Commentary
  • Contact
  • Membership Login
  • Search

Examining the Upper Cervical Spine

In Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias

It is refreshing to come across a case study which supports my clinical experience.

This study1 describes a woman with a cluster-like pattern of presumably [R] side-locked face and neck pain with associated periorbital and mandibular swelling, tearing, conjunctival injection, and allodynia which was ameliorated by third occipital nerve lesioning – the C2-3 facet joint.

The authors conclude ‘It represents a unique proof of principle in that not only trigeminal nerve pain but also presumed neurogenic inflammation can be relieved by blockade of cervical nociceptive inputs. Further investigation into shared mechanisms of headache pathogenesis is warranted.’

Furthermore, cluster headache (CH) is considered a unilateral headache2 (although there are exceptions3) and CH is second only to migraine in terms of alternation4,5 and we know what alternating unilaterality means… (?), I rest my case.

Of course, the sceptics will say, a TAC diagnosis must be incorrect because it responded to specific cervical intervention and cervical afferents are not involved. How can they it not be? Just refer to elementary neuroanatomy.

Clearly, the upper cervical spine needs to be skillfully examined for cervical relevancy in the TAC group of headaches.

References:

1. Giblin K, Newmark JL, Brenner GJ, Wainger BJ. Headache plus: trigeminal and autonomic features in a case of cervicogenic headache responsive to third occipital nerve radiofrequency ablation. Pain Med. Mar 2014;15(3):473-478.

2. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. Jan 2018;38(1):1-211.

3. Bahra A, May A, Goadsby PJ. Cluster headache: a prospective clinical study with diagnostic implications. Neurology. Feb 12 2002;58(3):354-361.

4. Prakash S, Rathore C. Side-locked headaches: an algorithm-based approach. J Headache Pain. Dec 2016;17(1):95.

5. Ramon C, Mauri G, Vega J, Rico M, Para M, Pascual J. Diagnostic distribution of 100 unilateral, side-locked headaches consulting a specialized clinic. Eur Neurol. 2013;69(5):289-291.

Until next timedean-signatureDr Dean H Watson
PhD (APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist);
MAppSc(Res); GradDipAdvManipTher(Hons); DipTechPhty
If you are new to Watson Headache®… Welcome.To learn more about how we can help you click on the link if:
  • you Experience Headache or Migraine or
  • you are a Health Professional
and access your complimentary resources.Posted in: Health Professionals, Management Of HeadacheTagged: cluster headache, neck pain, tac'sAuthor: Dr Dean Watson

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Edition 13 – The Role of Anaesthetic Blocks in Headache
  • Edition 12 – Exposing the Aggressors: Trigeminal Afferents or Cervical Afferents?
  • Edition 11 – Reproduction and Resolution of Headache – Significant?
  • Edition 10 – Revisiting the Role of Conditioned Pain Modulation During Reproduction and Resolution of Head Pain
  • Edition 9 – The Phenomenon of Manual Cervical Reproduction and Resolution of Typical Head Pain

Categories

  • Course
  • Educating About Headache
  • Health Professionals
  • Living With Headache
  • Management Of Headache
  • OC3 in Headache Matters – Newsletter
  • Researching Headache
  • Uncategorized

Footer

Watson Headache® Approach

Recognised internationally, the Approach has evolved from 27 years of clinical experience exclusively with those living with recurring headache and migraine. The Approach is medication and radiation free, non invasive (no injections) and comprises a series of non manipulative (no ‘cracking’) techniques applied in a systematic way.

  • About Watson Headache
  • Dean Watson PhD APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
  • Watson Headache Approach
  • Headache and Migraine Management
  • Watson Headache Institute
  • Headache and Migraine Education
  • Blog
  • Contact Watson Headache
  • The Problem, The Evidence and A Solution
  • Watson Headache Legal Information

Connect With Watson Headache

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram

© Copyright 2023 Watson Headache

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Intellectual property notice: the text Watson Headache, and the head device, are both registered trademarks of Watson Headache®.
Watson Headache® is the owner of copyright in all its text, videos and other publications.

This website uses cookies
Watson Headache and its third party partners use cookies. Cookies permit us to uniquely identify a person to personalise content and ads and analyse traffic. Read the Privacy Policy for more details. Do you accept or reject cookies? Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
GET MY COMPLIMENTARY GUIDE
  • Enter your details below to receive a copy of our Simple Steps To A Headache & Migraine Solution!
  • We respect your time and promise to never spam you. By submitting this form - you agree to our privacy policy and terms & conditions
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

GET MY COMPLIMENTARY GUIDE
  • Enter your details below and get instant access now
  • We respect your time and promise to never spam you. By submitting this form - you agree to our privacy policy and terms & conditions
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.