Letter From Dean Watson

Hello I am Dean Watson Director of the Watson Headache Institute.

I’m a titled musculoskeletal physiotherapist and recently completed my research doctorate in which I investigated the role of the upper cervical afferents in migraine. I have consulted those suffering headache and migraine exclusively for 24 years – in this time I have amassed unparalleled experience treating headache and migraine exclusively – 22, 000 hours with 8, 000 patients – I have come to recognize that upper cervical dysfunction is significantly underestimated in primary headache i.e., tension headache, migraine and the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, in fact headache and migraine generally…

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This clinical experience has evolved into the Watson Headache Approach which I have now taught nationally and internationally for the past 25 years. My courses are primarily for those in the manual therapy professions but also include medical doctors who have additional qualifications in the musculoskeletal area.

The biggest problem is the perspective of the medical model of headache (and consequently what we are taught) i.e., that cervical dysfunction cannot be a causal factor in primary headache – so our beliefs get in the way i.e., as manual therapists we can only treat cervicogenic headache – this defies elementary neuro anatomy and shows the ignorance of the medical model of headache.

Secondly, how many of us as new graduates had comprehensive knowledge of and were confident palpating the upper cervical spine, and please, please…. do not ask me to assess the stability of the upper cervical spine – stability testing is not even taught in undergraduate programs anymore! So without these skills what chance do we have of not only finding and determining the relevancy of upper cervical dysfunction to primary headache, let alone managing it successfully? How likely then is it that we are going to be successful(?) and then what happens? ‘Yellow Flags’ or ‘central sensitisation’ or ‘chronicity’ are blamed. This is a disservice to those afflicted by headache and migraine.

We need to think critically and take a hard, long look at ourselves and recognize that maybe, just maybe… unsuccessful outcomes are a result of OUR lack of skill (as manual therapists) and misconceptions. Once you start consulting those with headache and migraine with advanced skills, and a liberal, common sense perspective, outcomes will change and your paradigm will shift enormously.

So, if you believe that we can only treat cervicogenic headache you are not up-to-date with contemporary research. You are accepting what you have been taught at face value. You are neglecting a very, very large group of patients. Headache and migraine is one of the most, if not, the most common ailment known to humankind.

If you;

are dissatisfied with poor outcomes with your headache patients,
need clarity and direction
are not confident assessing and treating the upper cervical spine,

Then download my complimentary guide “10 Misconceptions When Treating Headache and Migraine” which will give you my insights based on 22000 hours of experience.

Developing advanced skills in treating headache and migraine means superior outcomes for your patients. You now what this means. You will be run off your feet and your general clinic will quickly be transformed into a headache clinic!

So, I invite you to download the complimentary pdf and I will explain…

how the answer to one question will tell you without doubt if the origin headache or migraine lies within the upper cervical spine
why the assumption that cervical afferents are not involved in primary headache is false
why chronicity of headache or migraine does not imply immediate or expeditious relief
why ‘complex’ presentations do not necessarily require a multi-disciplinary approach
why focusing on ‘Yellow Flags’ initially is exactly what we should not be doing – watch them disappear when symptoms improve!
why reproduction of headache when examining upper cervical structures is not the definitive indication of cervical involvement in headache or migraine
why the belief that reproduction of headache when examining the upper cervical structures is inappropriate… is to be avoided, is wrong… it is crucial!
why the belief that reversing ‘chronic’ central sensitisation is a slow process is erroneous (at least in chronic headache and migraine)
why the C1-2 segment is not commonly involved in headache or migraine
why the assumption that cervicogenic headache is side-locked i.e., it does not alternate or swap sides is incorrect, in fact alternating headache or headache with side-shift IS a cervicogenic headache.

Thank you for listening, I’m Dean Watson and I look forward to working with you.

PhD; MAppSc(Res); GradDipAdvManipTher; International Educator & Mentor & Consultant; Headache & Migraine Physiotherapist; Director, The Headache Clinic & Watson Headache Institute; Adjunct Lecturer, Masters Program, Physiotherapy School, University of South Australia

An Elite Training Program For Manual Therapists

Dean Watson on behalf of the Watson Headache^®Institute trains Manual Therapists (Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors) in the internationally acclaimed Watson Headache^®Approach. The Watson Headache^®Approach is the only scientifically validated manual cervical approach which has been show to affect the underlying cause of headache and migraine conditions. Gain the skills, knowledge and experience to transform lives by eliminating headache and migraine.

The most recent Level 1 Course filled with 87.5% who had heard about us by word of mouth. Courses consistently receive feedback with 88.9% participants scoring a 9 or 10 to indicate they would recommend our courses. Thank you to those of you who have. This helps to fulfill Dean Watson’s vision that “every headache sufferer will routinely have access to a skilled assessment of the upper cervical spine”.

Click to Expand and Continue Reading Level 1 Course Contents

In this 3 day intensive training you’ll discover:

Why cervicogenic dysfunction can be more than just a trigger for primary headache conditions i.e., it can be the cause;

The traditional medical model of headache has become clinically irrelevant – why a diagnosis is meaningless; after all a diagnosis is just based on a set of signs and symptoms – it says nothing about the underlying pathology;

Gain the ability to take a sensitive and effective subjective examination – arguably the subjective examination for the headache-migraine condition is more important than other musculoskeletal condition not only because of ʻRed Flagsʼ ie, slow leaking aneurysms (misdiagnosed significantly), cranial vasculitis, tumours etc, and potential craniovertebral instability, but also because there are no reproducible objective signs – there is increased reliance on the subjective features for reassessment;

Gain the ability to conduct a non aggressive, non symptom provoking, effective stability assessment the cranio vertebral complex – using techniques you will understand – you wonʼt be daunted when faced this part of the assessment;

You’ll learn the ʻWatson Headache Approachʼ – a scientifically validated (Dean will share the result of his ground breaking PhD research – some are saying this is the most significant research in manual therapy and headache for decades) method of confirming cervicogenic dysfunction as the source of sensitisation of the brainstem the disorder that underpins many primary headache syndromes.

Deanʼs manual therapy approach challenges – asks questions of the sensitised brainstem. The segment/s are involved – the ʻWatson Headache Diagnosis Treatmentʼ approach enables localisation to specific segments – this diagnostic accuracy is unparalleled in manual therapy and learn alternative (to HVVTs) techniques to address upper cervical segmental hypomobility.

Click to Expand and Continue Reading Level 2 Course Contents

Apart from the first 2-3 hours where we re-visit aspects of Level 1 and where questions from Level 1 and your experiences with patients since are addressed, my role is to facilitate and accelerate your progress… this is done through your participation in the examination of 4-6 patients.

After this course your already improved outcomes will be significantly improved because you’ll:

Realise the importance of ‘Battle 1’ versus ‘Battle 2’;

Be able to identify why progress is not as it should be Get increased confidence in your choice of treatment direction and technique – no more uncertainty Get increased clarity around un-resolving (as the technique is sustained) headache and how you can still achieve a positive result even though headache reproduction remains unchanged understand why, in the event of an adverse reaction, it occurred and … how to deal with it!

Level 3 – Final Certification

Completing the ‘Watson Headache Certified Practitioner’ Level 3 course… formal recognition of competency in the inimitable Watson Headache Approach which demonstrates to employers, professional colleagues, and those affected by headache and migraine conditions, that you have achieved the professional standard for practicing the Watson Headache Approach, and qualifies you to join an international register of colleagues who have demonstrated competency in the Watson Headache Approach.

Click to Expand and Continue Reading Level 3 Course Contents

Upon completion of the Course a practitioner should be able to care for routine and complex headache patients of all types and should be competent in the physical techniques, clinical reasoning and patient communication (education and counselling).

Ongoing recognition of Watson Headache Certified Practitioner qualification is conditional on maintaining the Watson Headache Approach standards, including pursuant to any re-certification by the Institute as well as retaining such professional qualifications in good standing in his or her profession, and compliance with the Institute’s policies and procedures.

If after you have experienced the first day of our course and you are not 100% happy, for whatever reason, we will refund your fee. We are more than comfortable making this guarantee because of the feedback we get from participants. We know the Watson Headache Institute’s courses will change your perspective on the headache and migraine condition and how you manage the upper cervical spine. You may be a little anxious about the value of your first course with us. We understand this and trust this takes the risk out of your decision.

10 Misconceptions When Treating Headache and Migraine

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Watson Headache Institute

Letter From Dean Watson

Watson Headache Institute Training Programs

An Elite Training Program For Manual Therapists

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Upcoming Courses 2019 & 2020

Sydney ~ Australia | Rome ~ Italy | Barcelona ~ Spain

Hosts:

Australia WatsonHeadache® Institute | Italy ManualMENTE | Spain FISIOTERAPIA RESET

Please Note: The Watson Headache® Institute courses are only open to those holding a Tertiary Qualification in, and Professional Registration to practice as a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath or a Manual Therapy Doctor.

This may differ depending on the host's country.

See below.

Australia – Sydney 2019

Hosted by the Watson Headache® Institute

Presenter Dr Dean H Watson PhD (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist)

Level 1 Foundation

For Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors

Introduction and Start to the Watson Headache Institute’s 3 level learning pathway

3 Day Course

Small Group of 12

Expressions of Interest

1st, 2nd & 3rd November 2019

Level 2 Consolidation

For Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors

Pre-requisite: Completion Level 1 and a minimum of 3 – 6 months clinical practice

2 Day Course

Small Group of 12

Expressions of Interest

9th & 10th November 2019

Level 3 Certification

For Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors

Pre-requisite: Completion Level 2 and a minimum of 3 – 6 months clinical practice

4 Day Course

Small Group 0f 6

Express Interest

Dates To Be Advised 2019

Italy – Silea, Varese and Rome 2019, 2020

Hosted by the ManualMENTE

Presenter Dr Dean H Watson PhD (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist)

Silea and Rome with Italian Translation.

Varese Presented in English.

Level 1 Foundation

For Physiotherapists

Introduction and Start to the Watson Headache Institute’s 3 level learning pathway

3 Day Course

Group of 24

Express Interest

English Dr Dean Watson PhD

& Dr Julie Walters PhD

Small Group of 15

Express Interest

Consecutive Translation Dr Dean Watson PhD & Dr Simone Scaglioni

Level 1 Foundation

For Physiotherapists

Introduction and Start to the Watson Headache Institute’s 3 level learning pathway

3 Day Course

Small Group of 12 -18

Register Varese 21st-23rd May

Fully Subscribed

English Only

Level 2 Consolidation

For Physiotherapists

Pre-requisite: Completion Level 1 and a minimum of 3 – 6 months clinical practice

2 Day Course

Small Group of 12 - 15

Register Selia 16th & 17th May

Registrations Closed

Italian Translation

Courses Spain – Barcelona 2019

Hosted by the FISIOTERAPIA RESET

Presenter Dr Dean H Watson PhD (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist)

Barcelona with Spanish Translation.

Level 1 Foundation

For Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors

Introduction and Start to the Watson Headache Institute’s 3 level learning pathway

3 Day Course

Please Note: The Watson Headache^® Institute courses are only open to those holding a Tertiary Qualification in, and Professional Registration to practice as a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath or a Manual Therapy Doctor.

Hosted by the Watson Headache^® Institute