Physiotherapy for headaches and migraines in Cairns

Conveniently located close to the Edge Hill Hub

179 Jensen Street, Whitfield, QLD, 4870

Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Free Parking Available

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CALL US: 07 4053 6222

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 the Cairns Headache and Migraine Clinic (powered by Proactive Physiotherapy), most of our practitioners are trained in the Watson Headache Approach. This hands-on technique is designed specifically for headache and migraine management, and contemporary research indicates its utility in supporting the management of nausea and vomiting disorders, as well as vestibular migraine and PPPD. It is a manual technique supported by clinical research examining its role in addressing brainstem sensitivity associated with primary headache.

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.

Designed for comfort- No cracking/clicking/manipulation of the spine.

Outcome focused - Our clinical goal is to work towards significant symptom management as we progress through your initial treatment sessions.

Sustainable - We focus on empowering you with self-management strategies to minimise the need for ongoing, long-term clinical visits.

Scientifically valued- Designed to help you understand what we are doing and why, based on contemporary clinical research in the field of headache and migraine.

Well tolerated - Our focus is on managing brainstem sensitivity. We work carefully to support individuals who may have experienced discomfort with other physical approaches.

The technique uses the inputs in the top of the neck to calm and quieten the overstimulated brainstem - this approach aims to quieten brainstem sensitivity, and can be utilised regardless of the chronicity of your symptoms, your specific triggers, or whether your neck is symptomatic.

We manage chronic and recurrent symptoms on a daily basis, supporting our team in developing clinical experience for complex and sensitive cases.

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 programme consists of up to five sessions, during which we regularly evaluate your progress. If we do not observe meaningful clinical changes within this period, we will discuss alternative pathways or referral options.

Standard physiotherapy approaches, such as stretching or strengthening exercises around the neck, play an important role in managing neck pain and initial presentations of cervicogenic headaches where neck symptoms predominate. For complex migraine and related brainstem overactivity disorders, physical management requires careful modification, as standard neck exercises may occasionally cause temporary aggravation if not carefully tailored.

Migraine and related disorders are complex conditions that extend beyond localized discomfort 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 these techniques in a systematic way, we aim to identify the specific joints contributing to your symptoms.

Subsequent Consultations

Meaningful changes in your headache or migraine symptoms are typically evaluated within the first few treatment sessions. If we do not observe a positive response, we will discuss alternative options.

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.

Regardless of whether you have experienced headaches or migraines for many years or only recently, we aim to observe signs of progress within your initial course of treatment.

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.