Watson Headache® Institute
Educating About the Role of Neck Disorders in Headache and Migraine
For Health Professionals Managing Headache and Migraine
Watson Headache® Institute has provided education for individuals and delivered continuing professional development programs (on/offline courses and symposia) to health professionals (manual therapists) in over 25 countries.
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Watson Headache Institute
Recognised as a world leader in the education and training of health professionals and the public in the role of upper neck disorders in the headache and migraine process.
Click the play button to watch. Find out how the Watson Headache Institute advocates for the role of cervicogenic dysfunction in primary headache.
Are You A Health Professional Wanting To Make A Difference?
Watson Headache Institute – Dean Watson Educator and Mentor
Recent research has shown that the Watson Headache Approach significantly reduces the underlying and widely accepted disorder in primary headache conditions i.e. a ‘sensitized brainstem’. This is not just about ‘cervicogenic headache’.
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 ‘reproduction and resolution’ 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 and educate about headache and migraine and the cause. Dean Watson presents internationally recognised Watson Headache Institute courses to health professionals wanting to make a difference in the lives of those with headache and or migraine.
Advocacy
Watson Headache® advocates for the role of upper cervical dysfunction in not only Cervicogenic Headache but also as sensitising source of the Brainstem in Primary Headache. Elementary neuro anatomy1 and research places noxious C(cervical)1-3 afferents2-5 as a prime suspect (at least equal with noxious afferents from the trigeminal field, and serotonergic and DNICs influences). To not consider all possibilities is at best ignorance, and at worst, irresponsible.
Medical Model
The Medical Model of Headache does not consider abnormalities of the upper cervical spine to play a causal role in Primary Headache.6 Furthermore, medical researchers generally have demonstrated little action in exploring this as an option. It is essential that all factors, which have the potential to sensitise the Brainstem (the underlying disorder in Migraine and other Primary Headache conditions is a sensitised Brainstem) be investigated equally. Currently this is not the situation – the upper cervical spine is largely ignored.
Watson Headache Institute's Role
The role of the Watson Headache® Institute is to provide current, unbiased, balanced information, so that manual therapists and other health professionals counsel Primary Headache sufferers in a rational, alternative approach. Those with Primary Headache are then more likely to make informed choices about assessment, and management of their Headache or Migraine.
A Valid Alternative
The current environment discourages examination of the upper cervical spine in Primary Headache, therefore, a valid alternative for those suffering Headache and Migraine is not offered.
Apart from presenting relevant information, Dr Watson, on behalf of the Watson Headache® Institute presents a series of face-to-face courses for Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths: ‘Cervicogenic Headache and the Role of C1-3 afferents in Primary Headache’. The courses are based on the Watson Headache® Approach.
Watson Headache® Approach
The Watson Headache® Approach has evolved (and continues to) over 25 years and is the result of Dr Watson’s exclusive clinical experience of over 24000 hours with 8000 Headache and Migraine patients. The Approach has been taught nationally and internationally since 1995 and consequently practiced in over 25 countries
The Watson Headache® Approach is widely recognised for its unparalleled diagnostic accuracy, and unique clinical approach. Furthermore, the Approach is the only manual cervical approach scientifically validated to affect the underlying disorder (sensitised Brainstem) in Primary Headache.3
We at the Watson Headache® Institute are gratified that our courses consistently receive excellent feedback with 90 percent of delegates rating 9 or 10 for recommendation to colleagues. Ninety percent of delegates attend because of colleagues’ endorsement.
References:
- Bogduk N. Cervicogenic headache: anatomic basis and pathophysiologic mechanisms. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2001 Aug;5(4):382-6.
- Busch V, Jakob W, Juergens T, Schulte-Mattler W, Kaube H, May A. Functional connectivity between trigeminal and occipital nerves revealed by occipital nerve blockade and nociceptive blink reflexes. Cephalalgia, 2005, 26, 50–55
- Watson DH, Drummond PD Cervical Referral of Head Pain in Migraineurs: Effects on the Nociceptive Blink Reflex. Headache 2014;54:1035-1045
- Luedtke K, Starke W, May A. Musculoskeletal dysfunction in migraine patients. Cephalalgia 2017
- Luedtke K, May A. Stratifying migraine patients based on dynamic pain provocation over the upper cervical spine. J Headache Pain.2017 Sep 26;18(1):97.
- Goadsby PJ, Bartsch T. On the functional neuroanatomy of neck pain. Cephalalgia, 2008, 28 (Suppl. 1), 1–7
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 significantly improve the life of a headache or migraine sufferer with the Watson Headache Approach.
GET MY COMPLIMENTARY GUIDE