Summary of the Watson Headache Institute

The Watson Headache Institute was established to increase the awareness of cervicogenic (neck) disorders in headache and migraine by:

imparting my (and that of others) clinical experience and knowledge

and,

undertaking and supporting rigorous clinical and scientific research in this specialty (I am currently a PhD Candidate investigating the role of cervicogenic dysfunction in the mechanism of migraine at Murdoch University, Western Australia).

and,

in determining whether or not a neck (cervicogenic) disorder is the cause of or a significant contributing factor to headache or migraine.

It is recognised

that neck (cervicogenic) dysfunction is significantly underestimated

that a neck (cervicogenic) dysfunction can be the cause of various forms of headache and migraine.

that the necks of all (primary) headache and migraine sufferers should be examined

To this end it is my objective to pass on this experience to my colleagues and headache and migraine sufferers

because

it is irresponsible to treat irrelevant cervicogenic (neck) dysfunction in migraine and headache conditions.

However

given that the causes of migraine and tension headache are not clear, the advances in our knowledge of pain mechanisms and the not insignificant body research supporting cervicogenic factors as key players in the headache and migraine processes,

it is also irresponsible NOT to examine the necks of headache sufferers irrespective of the diagnosis.

Cheers

Dean

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