The Headache Clinic 
As a migraine or headache sufferer, you will know how disruptive and inconvenient a migraine attack or headache can be - not only does it impact on you but also your immediate family and friends.
In 2006 Dean Watson’s Headache Clinic joined our practice, with Dean’s extensive background (over 30 years) in managing chronic benign headache. Dean is currently unavailable to see clients for treatment due to his teaching and research commitments, however all of the physiotherapists at move have undertaken advanced training with Dean, and see headache patients using his specialised approach which is taught internationally.
Dean Watson established The Headache Clinic in Adelaide in 1991 to provide skilled and advanced assessment of the neck as a possible source of headache. Dean believes that the role of the neck in headache and migraine has been underestimated: recent and ongoing research (along with Dean’s extensive clinical experience) has demonstrated that disorders in the neck have the potential to cause migraine and other forms of headache. Furthermore, given that the cause of migraine and other forms of headache is unknown, it seems logical and reasonable that a skilled examination of your neck occurs after an assessment by your GP or a Neurologist and before medication is prescribed.
It is appropriate that the first step is for your headache or migraine to be assessed by your GP who will then determine if a neurological specialist opinion is required and whether a scan of your head is necessary. In the vast majority of cases a scan is negative, that is, no abnormality is present. Similarly if your headache or migraine has been present for years and your neck has not been examined then an examination would be appropriate as a neck disorder may well be responsible.
Physiotherapists at the Headache Clinic will not only explain the role disorders of the neck can have in the headache and migraine process but also undertake a skilled and responsible assessment of your headache or migraine. This involves taking a detailed history, mapping out the area of headache and analysing the behavior of symptoms. This is followed by a physical examination of your neck, in particular assessment of the movement of the upper three spinal segments or joints.
If on examination there are no relevant disorders to be found in your neck or upper back, treatment cannot be justified and would not be recommended. In this case we would liaise with your GP if further investigation were required.
If treatment is justified it consists of passive mobilising techniques. These are applied in a smooth rhythmic or sustained fashion to gradually stretch shortened spinal segmental structures (capsules, ligaments and muscles). These small gliding movements are necessary for the joints to function normally. Treatment using the 'Watson Headache Approach' does not involve manipulation or 'cracking' of the neck.
To maintain healthy function of spinal segments it may be that exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles need to be performed, along with alteration in posture.
At The Headache Clinic we expect appreciable improvement within five treatments and if this has not occurred then it is unlikely further treatment will be successful. To justify ongoing treatment there needs to be identifiable, positive changes in your headache or migraine symptoms.
If you would like more information regarding the Headache Clinic philosophy and approach to treatment please
Contact Us or follow this link to
www.headacheclinic.com.au dean watson
diploma of technology (physiotherapy)
master of applied science (manipulative physiotherapy)
phd candidate, murdoch university, wa
(investigating the role of cervicogenic dysfunction in the mechanism of migraine)
international lecturer, watson approach to management of benign headache
founder and consultant physiotherapist, the headache clinic, adelaide