Menstrual Migraine
July 31, 2009 by Dean Watson · Leave a Comment
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How to Best Manage Menstrual Migraine
July 30, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Given that hormonal patterns and fluctuations of menstrual migraine sufferers are no different to women who do not experience headache it is not surprising that, after an extensive review of hormonal treatments, it was concluded that hormonal treatment should not be the first choice of treatment. The common goal of this approach is to minimise fluctuation in oestrogen levels, however evidence regarding the effectiveness of this approach is lacking …. clearly a different approach is needed.
Cheers
Dean
(Davies PT, Eccles N, Steiner TJ, Leathard H, Rose F. Plasma estrpgen, progesterone and sex hormone binding globulin levels in the pathogenesis of migraine. Cephalalgia 1989;9143[abstract]
Epstein MT, Hockaday JM, Hockaday TD. Migraine and reproductive hormones throughout the menstrual cycle. Lancet 1975;1(1706):543-548
Loder E et al. Hormonal management of migraine associated with menses and the menopause: a clinical review. Headache 2007 Feb;47(2):239-40)
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Identifying Headache and Migraine
July 29, 2009 by Dean Watson · Leave a Comment
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Headache, Migraine and Facial Surgery
July 28, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
In survey of 75 patients who had undergone surgery for facial pain all had ongoing symptoms. The researchers concluded that the causes of symptoms were migraine, cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania and tension headache, and that sinus surgery in the large majority of patients presenting with facial pain should avoid surgery; that all surgeons when assessing facial pain should be aware of non-sinuonasal diagnoses.
An enlightened ENT Specialist refers patients to me to determine if facial pain is referred from disorders of the upper neck – and more often it is! Temporary reproduction and easing of familiar facial pain when upper neck structures are gently stressed confirms this in the large majority of patients with facial pain.
Cheers
Dean
(Jones NS, Cooney TR. Facial pain and sinonasal surgery. Rhinology 2003 Dec;41(4):193-200)
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Tension and Headache
July 27, 2009 by Dean Watson · Leave a Comment
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Headache and the Sinuses
July 26, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Sinusitis is over-diagnosed as the cause of headache and migraine.
Frontal pain more likely results from migraine or tension headache.
Furthermore, according to an internationally recognised authority, just because symptoms do not respond to headache and migraine treatments it should not be assumed that sinus disease is the cause.
Cheers
Dean
(Silberstein SD. Headaches due to nasal and paranasal sinus disease. Neurol Clin 2004 Feb;22(1):1-19)
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Blood Vessels and Migraine
July 25, 2009 by Dean Watson · Leave a Comment
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Cervicogenic (neck) Headache and Migraine or the Same Condition?
July 24, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Why is it that if treatment of the neck provides relief that it is assumed that cervicogenic (neck) co-exists with migraine or that it is a misdiagnosed migraine? Why can’t it be that cervicogenic factors are instrumental in the migraine process?
Clearly when patients with ‘migraine’ who have not responded to recognised migraine treatments, achieve substantial pain relief to numbing of the greater occipital nerve, there can be only one conclusion …noxious (abnormal) information from the neck is responsible for the migraine process.
Cheers
Dean
(Yi, X. et al Cervicogenic headache in patients with presumed migraine: missed diagnosis or mis diagnosis? J Pain 2005 Oct;6(10):700-3)
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Neck Disorders
July 23, 2009 by Dean Watson · Leave a Comment
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A Treatment Technique for Migraine Sufferers
July 22, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
How Clinical Research Physiotherapist, Dr Ian Davidson at Manchester University, is leading a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of fellow Physiotherapist Dean Watson’s treatment technique for migraine sufferers.
The study, which began recruiting in April 2007, is being carried out in three private physiotherapy practices in the northwest (two in Lancashire and one in Cheshire). The study was awarded £95,000 by Physio First through its charitable trust, the Private Physiotherapy Educational Foundation.
Patients have been recruited through the Migraine Action Association, local universities and GPs. Dr Davidson says around 90 are needed to complete the trial and 76 have been recruited so far, adding that a high attrition rate has made progress difficult. ‘We are about a year and a half away from completing,’ he says.
Patients are screened and asked to complete a diary before being referred for six physiotherapy sessions based on Mr Watson’s technique. ‘I hope the study does help towards developing an evidence base for headache physiotherapy,’ says Dr Davidson, adding: ‘I would hope from this trial I would be able to put in a proposal for a larger national trial.’
Quoted in Frontline Magazine, Issue 17th June 2009, the official journal of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in the United Kingdom, Titled “When Headache is a Pain the Neck” by Louise Hunt.
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