Optimising Headache and Migraine Treatment
December 6, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Whilst I was in the UK recently I had the opportunity to meet with several of my accredited practitioners.
I am pleased to say that the results of treatment/feedback from headache and migraine sufferers was amazing. This has increased their (the practitioners’) enthusiasm for a more substantial course (I am already doing two and one day courses).
There was unanimous agreement that it should be a ten day course for small groups of already accredited practitioners. In this course or ‘Master -Class’, the aim would be to examine and treat headache and migraine sufferers on 3-4 occasions, and how to progress from one treatment session to the next.
It was always my aim to develop the best possible teaching model – here it comes! (and it is being driven by practitioners wanting the best possible outcomes for you the headache or migraine sufferer).
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Watson Headache Course – Level I
November 18, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
I have been mentioning the courses I present to physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths without explaining what it is that we cover.
The Level I course is called:
“The Role of CO-C3 Segmental Dysfunction in Primary Headache”
This course essentially looks at information from the top three spinal joints (which affects the brainstem, and we know the brainstem is sensitised in headache and migraine sufferers) and whether these joints are involved in the headache or migraine process.
The course looks at how the medical model of headache classifies headache and migraine; then I present the research i.e. what is in the literature, which actually contradicts the traditional medical model and supports my clinical experience of over 21000 hours, that is, the necks of all headache or migraine sufferers should be examined irrespective of the diagnosis.
As a result of my experience I have developed a verbal examination (often called the ‘subjective examination’) which includes the area of headache, history and behaviour of symptoms. From this we can tell if there is change in headache or migraine symptoms.
It is important that, before we examine the upper neck, tests of neck arteries are performed and also ligaments of the upper neck. I am not happy with the traditionally taught tests – I think they are too (and unnecessarily) aggressive on potentially already damaged ligaments. I demonstrate (and we practice) tests which are much less aggressive.
Then I demonstrate and we practice (on each other) techniques I have developed, which not only identify if neck disorders are the cause of headache or migraine symptoms but also which joint it is that is causing the problem. If we can identify the joint or spinal segment involved, the chances of getting a successful outcome increases significantly because treatment can then be directed at the source.
I finish the course by examining two headache or migraine sufferers, so course delegates can see everything put into practice.
Then after at least 6 months experience using this approach, course delegates then return for the Level II Advanced course.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Headache and Migraine Courses in Sydney
November 15, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Headache and Migraine Courses, Sydney
You may be wondering what happens to headache and migraine sufferers in Australia!
Like Cambridge I have been presenting regularly in Sydney (usually twice a year) and have just completed another successful fully subscribed Level II course in Sydney – which like Cambridge attracts physiotherapists from around the country.
However Australia is a large country so it is time to take the courses to Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart and Perth once again – a busy 2010!
Cheers Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved
Visual Aura and Migraine
November 13, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Have a skilled examination of your neck.
Cervicogenic (neck related) Headache, according to the International Headache Society1 is side-locked i.e. it is one-sided headache which does not change sides. In my experience however, a one-sided headache that changes sides is a Cervicogenic Headache.
I remember a patient of mine whose visual aura changed sides i.e. for the first 10’ it was on the left, and then for the last 10’ changed to the right. After treating her very stiff C2-3 spinal segment, the patient was and has remained free of her visual aura.
If your one-sided headache changes sides or it is both sides simultaneously but worse on one side and the worst side changes, it is your neck, and furthermore, it is the C2-3 spinal segment which is at fault – this is based on over 21000 hours of clinical experience with headache and migraine sufferers.
My message – have a skilled examination of your neck…
Cheers
Dean
(Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edn. Cephalalgia 2004; 24(suppl.1):1-151)
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Level I and II Headache and Migraine Course in Sydney
November 7, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Level I and Level II Courses, Sydney
Having just completed a Level II course in Sydney all that remains on the teaching schedule for 2009 is the Level I course. I am pleased to say that this course is also fully subscribed with a waiting list so another course is likely early in 2010.
This is encouraging; I sense there is an increased level of interest in the neck and its role in headache and migraine at least within physiotherapy (and I suspect chiropractic and osteopathic) circles. This can only benefit headache and migraine sufferers as another option (i.e. skilled examination and treatment of relevant neck disorders) becomes increasingly available.
Cheers Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Level I Headache and Migraine Course in Cambridge
November 1, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Level I Course Cambridge, England
I have been presenting Level I courses in Cambridge for the past 3 years and it has been a popular venue – not only for physiotherapists in the UK but also physiotherapists from the continent.
A couple of years ago a physiotherapist came from Spain, however this year over half of the course delegates on the Level I course were from various countries including Belgium, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
This of course is pleasing, not only do headache and migraine sufferers in these countries now have another (drug-free) option, but also other opportunities which provide further support to physiotherapists in these countries who have a desire to treat headache and migraine – I am now not only presenting in Spain regularly, but also have been invited to present at a national conference in Spain and to present courses in Greece and Portugal.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Migraine: To Treat or Not To Treat – The Dilemma!
October 5, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
….. this was the title of my second presentation at the CRAFT Conference in Nuremberg.
The traditional medical model is largely dismissive of the role of neck disorders in the migraine process. However my clinical experience of over 21000 hours with headache and migraine sufferers contradicts this view.
Now I do not expect people to accept my perspective without question but when the reply I get is:
“Well we don’t know where migraine comes from or what it is, but it can’t come from the neck.”
I get a just a little frustrated ….. think about this for a minute ….. if you don’t know where something is coming from you cannot say it does not come from the neck!
My reply is:
“Can you show me it doesn’t come from the neck?”
….. which of course they can’t.
In this presentation I put forward the evidence, the research (of which there is plenty), which shows quite clearly that neck disorders can be the key to the migraine process and how we as physiotherapists can identify this.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Summary of the Watson Headache Institute
September 12, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
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
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Practitioners in Wales
September 4, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
The Level I Course I present to Physiotherapists, (also chiropractors and osteopaths) is called:
“The Role of CO-C3 Segmental Dysfunction in Primary Headache”
This course essentially looks at information from the top three spinal joints (which affects the brainstem, and we know the brainstem is sensitised in headache and migraine sufferers) and whether these joints are involved in the headache or migraine process.
After delegates have completed the Level I course and at least 6 months experience using the approach, they can then apply to participate in the Level II Advanced course titled:
“The Role of CO-C3 Segmental Dysfunction in Primary Headache – Level II”
or the less formal title
“OK – so I have found the segments involved – what next?”
Physiotherapist Practitioners in Wales who have shown a special interest in caring for people with headache are listed in the Practitioner Directory under the heading Wales.
Would you like an Internationally Trained Practitioner to assist you with your Headache or Migraine pain?
Go to the home page and the heading ‘Practitioner’.
You can then follow the steps and we will send you the contact information of our nearest trained practitioner in the UK.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Supporting You, Along With Your Doctor
September 1, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Determining the cause of your head pain and symptoms
Supporting you, along with your doctor, in determining the cause of your head pain and symptoms is one of the goals of the Watson Headache Institute.
It also provides a network of highly trained practitioners who are dedicated to achieving a successful treatment outcome for headache and migraine sufferers.
If you have had medical tests such as an MRI, Cat Scan and X-ray which have proved negative, then before undertaking ongoing medication, a skilled examination of the neck is an important step to understanding the nature of your pain as precisely as possible.
Identifying whether you have any spinal segment involvement in your headache or migraine can be achieved by seeking the advice of a practitioner skilled in assessing the role of the neck in your headache or migraine pain.
If you would you like an Internationally Trained Practitioner to assist you with your Headache or Migraine pain please go to the home page and read the information under the heading of ‘Practitioner’.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.