• 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
  • Headache Symposium 2021 ONLINE
  • Find a Practitioner
  • Insights
  • Commentary
  • Contact
  • Membership Login
  • Search

Headache and Migraine Area of Pain

Where do You Feel the Pain of Your Headache or Migraine?

This is a really important question for us because the area of your headache or migraine can give us a really strong indication as to which spinal segment is primarily responsible for your head pain.

For example if the pain of your headache or migraine is behind your eye this suggests very strongly that the spinal segment at fault is that one which lies between the second and third cervical vertebrae (C2-3 segment). Along with this you are likely to feel accompanying neck stiffness or discomfort and if it is on the same side of your headache this is relevant.

Sometimes this neck discomfort or pain may travel up and over the top of the head, fairly close to the midline to end behind your eye. Once again this demonstrates that the spinal segment at fault is the C2-3 segment. By the way if your headache is accompanied by significant nausea this provides further evidence of C2-3 involvement – and your pain is likely to be throbbing or pounding in nature.

The Area of Pain Suggests the Spinal Segement at Fault

If your pain is more across the forehead above your eyebrows, this suggests very strongly that the spinal segment at fault is that joint which lies between the skull and first vertebra (CO-C1 segment).

Similarly, if the pain of your headache or migraine is around the side of your head around your ear, this also indicates that the spinal segment most likely to be at fault is CO-C1. Some headache sufferers experience a band around their head as if a hat they are wearing is too tight – this is more like an ache, pressure or tightness. Often this type of presentation is misdiagnosed as a ‘tension-type’ headache – it really is an unrecognised cervicogenic (neck-related) headache.

My experience comprising 23000 hours with over 8000 headache and migraine patient indicates that for many of you (90%), both C2-3 and CO-C1 segments are involved.

Confirmation occurs when a skilled examination gently stresses each of spinal segments individually resulting in temporary reproduction and lessening of your typical head pain.

 

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: Educating About Headache, Living With HeadacheTagged: cervicogenic (neck-related) headache, headache, migraineAuthor: Dean Watson

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • C2-3 The Most Common Source Of Headache
  • Determining if the Neck is the Cause
  • Misconception 6 of 10
  • Decreasing Migraine Progression
  • Misconception 5 of 10

Categories

  • Course
  • Educating About Headache
  • Health Professionals
  • Living With Headache
  • Management Of Headache
  • 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.