If you have also been told that there is nothing you can do for your headaches or migraines except to take medication, then it’s time for a second opinion.

At the Cairns Headache and Migraine Clinic, we believe in the International Headache Institute’s Bill of Rights which states that “the headache sufferer has the right to know his/her headache diagnosis as precisely as possible, and to know the nature of the headache disorder, it’s prognosis and the possible types of treatment”. It is necessary to have a thorough assessment by a skilled practitioner to achieve this outcome.

Headache Physiotherapy

The Watson Headache Approach was developed by Australian physiotherapist Dr Dean Watson (PHD), of the Watson Headache Institute. It is a manual therapy approach that has been scientifically validated to reduce brainstem sensitivity – the underlying cause of many headache and migraine conditions.

At Cairns headache and migraine clinic ( powered by Proactive Physiotherapy) most of our practitioners are trained in the Watson Headache Approach, this is the only hands-on technique developed specifically for headache and migraine, and through research is now indicated in nausea and vomiting disorders, as well as vestibular migraine and PPPD. It is the only manual technique with research supporting its ability to treat the underlying problem in primary headache: an overactive brainstem.

What this means for you is the approach is:

Efficient - We only treat people who demonstrate a clear link between the neck and their symptoms during the assessment.

Safe - No cracking/clicking/manipulation of the spine.

Effective - We expect to see significant improvement in 80% of patients within 5 treatments

Sustainable - We aim to discharge to self-management in under 10 treatments No 'endless treatment plans'.

Scientifically validated - you will understand exactly what we are doing and why based on the latest research in the field of headache and migraine.

Well tolerated - we treat brain sensitivity, not 'neck stiffness'. We excel with people who have been aggravated with other practitioners treating your neck.

The technique uses the inputs in the top of the neck to calm and quieten the overstimulated brainstem - this can work regardless of how long you've had it for, what your triggers are or whether or not your neck is sore.

We treat sufferers with chronic and recurrent symptoms on a daily basis allowing us to acquire a highly developed skill set to treat difficult and sensitive cases where others may have failed.

From early stages of treatment we introduce the tools you will require for successful self-management. Once we have established changes in the neck we aim to minimise our 'hands on' role as soon as possible.

Our initial treatment program consists of a maximum of 5 sessions, during which we expect to see significant changes. If we haven’t seen that, we will not continue treatment.

Traditional physiotherapy approaches to treating the neck are typically limited to either stretching a stiff joint or strengthening the muscles around the neck. These have a prominent role in neck pain, and initial presentations of conditions like cervicogenic headache, where the 'neck pain' is the most prominent feature, with the headache being secondary. Unfortunately, when applied in the same manner to migraine and related brainstem overactivity disorders, these approaches can be too heavy-handed causing aggravation, and at best, may offer short term relief.

Migraine and related disorders are not 'simple' conditions driven by excess pain in the cervical joints. They are complex disorders producing a vast array of symptoms other than headache and neck pain including nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness and sleep disturbance. They are characterised by an overactive brainstem. By applying the approach, this technique decreases the overactivity in the brainstem.

Initial Consultation

The purpose of the initial examination is to demonstrate to you that a disorder in your upper neck is responsible for your Headache or Migraine.

The most powerful connection is temporary reproduction (and easing) of familiar head pain when examining the movements of the upper 3 joints in your neck – moving the joints with slow, smooth, sustained thumb pressure and in way they are designed to move – no cracking!

Then, using the techniques in a systematic way we can determine exactly the joints involved – there is no guesswork.

Subsequent Consultations

Appreciable changes in your Headache or Migraine need to be evident within 4-5 subsequent treatments – 80% of patients report significant improvement in this time. Without positive changes, ongoing treatment cannot be justified.

To optimise the chances of improvement, initially treatments need to be close together and experience indicates that four treatments spread equally over two weeks is optimal.

If improvement has occurred, then treatment continues with increasing intervals between the next two-three treatments – it is important to keep the momentum going.

Common-sense expectation is that the longer you have been experiencing headache or migraine the more treatment is required – this is not the case.

Irrespective of whether you have been experiencing Headache or Migraine for 30 years or 12 months, appreciable improvement is expected within 4-5 treatments.

However, whilst the Watson Headache® Approach is recognised as a powerful Approach, providing the most advanced techniques to correct the disorder does not necessarily guarantee a successful outcome – the outcome can be affected by other factors.

Preventing Recurrence

Research has shown that spinal issues, often recur and if in the upper cervical spine, recurrence of Headache or Migraine.

Preventing recurrence post treatment is therefore more important than supplying short-term relief through ‘hands on’ treatment. For example, sustained head / neck postures (particularly) neck flexion or forward bending of the head.

Research has shown that that in these positions the weight of the head on the neck increases from 5.4kg to27.2 kg – and head and / or neck trauma or these postures place significant stress on the upper cervical spine!

Therefore, an uncomplicated exercise program along with identification and modification of any headache contributing postures and lifestyle activities often complement the precise techniques of the Watson Headache® Approach.