Professional Education: A Complimentary Guide For Health Professionals
10 Misconceptions When Treating Headache and Migraine
In this guide Dean dispels commonly held myths and explains how to significantlyĀ improve the life of a headache or migraine sufferer with theĀ Watson Headache Approach.
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Watson HeadacheĀ® Education
Understanding the Role of the Neck in Cervicogenic and Primary Headache For Health Professionals Managing Headache and Migraine
Programs and courses are designed to inform individuals living with and health
professionals managing headache and migraine, about the role of neck disorders
and the Watson Headache®Approach.
Are You A Health Professional Wanting To Make A Difference?
Watson HeadacheĀ® Institute Training Programs
Recent research has shown that theĀ Watson HeadacheĀ® Approach significantly reduces the underlying and widely accepted disorder in primary headache conditions i.e. a āsensitized brainstemā. This is not just about ācervicogenic headacheā. Underpinning our Approach is the importance of the upper cervical afferents in primary headache, recognition of a previously unrecognized clinical pattern, a series of innovative techniques, and the importance of āreproduction and resolutionā of typical symptoms. With this protocol you will assess, treat and manage headache and migraine safely and effectively. Using current research, you will confidently answer questions in your clinical setting about the role of the neck and its relevance as a causative factor in headache and migraine.

Continuing Professional Development
Dean Watson, on behalf of the Watson Headache® Institute, presents to Manual Therapists (Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors) in the role of cervical afferents in cervicogenic and primary headache as well as the internationally acclaimed Watson Headache® Approach. The Watson Headache® Approach is the only scientifically validated manual cervical approach which has been shown to affect the underlying cause of headache and migraine conditions. Gain the skills, knowledge and experience to transform lives by helping those living with headache and migraine.
Our continuing professional development courses consistently receive feedback scores of 9 or 10 from participants to indicate they would recommend our courses to colleagues. Thank you to those of you who have. This helps to fulfill Dean Watsonās vision that āevery headache sufferer will routinely have access to a skilled assessment of the upper cervical spineā.
A New Skill Set
With courses both offline and online, health professionals can acquire a new skill set to support making a difference in the lives of those living with headache and/or migraine. Participation also provides the opportunity to join a community with an interest in the role of cervical afferents in cervicogenic and primary headache. Receive ongoing updates and invites to join follow up events such as webinars, question and answer sessions and Watson HeadacheĀ® International Symposia and Summits.


Determine the relevancy of upper cervical afferents in headache and migraine ā With 390 million migraine sufferers worldwide, clinical experience and scientific validation has proven that identifying cervical relevancy is a skill set needed to treat more than just ācervicogenic headacheā.
Identify the cause of headache and migraine ā With specific techniques and associated clinical reasoning you will be able to precisely determine which segment/s are involved in headache and migraine thereby removing the guesswork out of treatment.
Utilizing this systematic approach achieves superior clinical outcomes ā With this new skill you can change lives; youāll be inundated with patients that are searching for headache or migraine relief ā Say goodbye to general practice.
Upcoming Courses 2020
Please Note:Ā The Watson HeadacheĀ® Institute courses are only open to those holding a Tertiary Qualification in, and Professional Registration to practice as aĀ Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath or a Manual Therapy Doctor.
Australia ā Adelaide 2020
Hosted by the Watson HeadacheĀ® Institute
Presenter Dr Dean H Watson PhD (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist)
Please Note:Ā The Watson HeadacheĀ® Institute courses are only open to those holding a Tertiary Qualification in, and
Professional Registration to practice as aĀ Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath or a Manual Therapy Doctor.
Scheduled Courses - Register Now
Level 1 Foundation
For Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors
Introduction and Start to the Watson Headache Instituteās 3 level learning pathway

Level 2 Consolidation
For Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors
Pre-requisite: Completion Level 1 and a minimum of 3 ā 6 months clinical practice

Level 3 Certification
For Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Manual Therapy Doctors
Pre-requisite: Completion Level 2 and a minimum of 3 ā 6 months clinical practice

Next Level 3 Certification
Dates and Venue To Be Advised
Express Interest Below
Express Interest in Future Courses
Adelaide: Morgans Building, Level 2/70 Hindmarsh Square ADELAIDE South Australia 5000
Sydney: Holiday Inn - Wattle Room, 203 Victoria Street Potts Point SYDNEY New South Wales 2011
Level 1 Foundation
3 Day Course - Group 9
Fri (8.30a.m.ā5p.m.), Sat (9a.m.ā5p.m.)
& Sun (9a.m.ā3p.m.)
Level 2 Consolidation
2 Day Course - Group 9Ā
Sat (8.30a.m.ā5p.m.)
& Sun (8.45a.m.ā5p.m.)
Level 3 Certification
4 Day Course - Group 0f 6
Fri,Ā Sat & Sun (8.45a.m.ā5.30p.m.)
& Mon (8.45a.m.ā4.30p.m.)
Whatās Included in OurĀ Professional Education Courses?
Level 1 āĀ Laying The Foundations
Be prepared for a paradigm shift! This three day, highly practical course will not only change your perspective of the role of cervicogenic dysfunction in primary headache, but also takes the guesswork out of treating the headache and migraine condition ā no headache or migraine is complicated.
In this 3 day intensive training youāll 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 ā why a diagnosis is meaningless; after all a diagnosis is just based on a set of signs and symptoms ā it says nothing about the underlying pathology;
Gain the ability to take a sensitive and effective subjective examination ā arguably the subjective examination for the headache-migraine condition is more important than other musculoskeletal condition not only because of Ź»Red Flagsʼ ie, slow leaking aneurysms (misdiagnosed significantly), cranial vasculitis, tumours etc, and potential craniovertebral instability, but also because there are no reproducible objective signs ā 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 ā using techniques you will understand ā you wonʼt be daunted when faced this part of the assessment;
Youāll learn the Ź»Watson Headache Approachʼ ā a scientifically validated (Dean will share the result of his ground breaking PhD research ā 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 ā asks questions of the sensitised brainstem. TheĀ segment/s are involved ā the Ź»Watson Headache Diagnosis Treatmentʼ approach enables localisation to specific segments ā this diagnostic accuracy is unparalleled in manual therapy and learn alternative (to HVVTs) techniques to address upper cervical segmental hypomobility.

Please Note: We can only supply the bonus Neck Model Pack on courses presented in Australia.
Level 2 ā Consolidate Your Learning
To promote comprehensive discussion and interaction Level 2 Courses intentionally involve small groups of delegates ā this takes full advantage of DeanāsĀ unparalleled experience.
Whilst on Level 1 we learnt to ātouchā (excuse the pun!) type, Level 2 is about becoming an āauthorā i.e., whilst anyone can learn a technique (Level 1 Foundation)⦠success depends on how you use them, aka ā¦āCLINICAL REASONINGā.
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 youāll:
Realise the importance of āBattle 1ā versus āBattle 2ā;
Be able to identify why progress is not as it should be Get increased confidence in your choice of treatment direction and technique ā 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 ā Final Certification
Completing the āWatson HeadacheĀ Certified Practitionerā Level 3 course⦠formal recognition of competency in the inimitable Watson HeadacheĀ Approach whichĀ demonstrates to employers, professional colleagues, and those affected by headache and migraine conditions, that you have achieved the professional standard for practicing the Watson HeadacheĀ Approach, and qualifies you toĀ join an international register of colleagues who have demonstrated competency in the Watson HeadacheĀ Approach.
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-certificationĀ by the Institute as well as retaining such professional qualifications in good standing in his or her profession, and compliance with the Instituteās policies and procedures.

Our Guarantee
If after you have experienced the first day of our courseĀ and you are not 100% happy, for whatever reason, we will refund your fee. We are more than comfortable making this guarantee because of participant feedback. We know the Watson HeadacheĀ® Instituteās courses will change your perspective on the headache and migraine condition as well as 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 yourĀ decision to join us.