Watson Headache Institute

Home
Australia
Adelaide, SA
Watson Headache Institute

Watson Headache® Institute is an advocate for the causative role of Upper Cervical Dysfunction (nec

Watson Headache® Institute is the Research and Education arm of Watson Headache®. It is an international voice of Upper Cervical Dysfunction (neck disorders) in Primary Headache and delivers educational programmes and resources to Health Practitioners - training in the unrivalled Watson Headache® Approach; the Public - so that those affected by Headache and Migraine can make informed decisions based on up-to-date, balanced information for improved outcomes; and the Watson Headache® Clinics.

30/01/2026

Why Educating Manual Therapists About Migraine Matters

Migraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, yet cervical manual therapy remains underused despite strong scientific and clinical rationale.

The real barrier isn’t lack of interest from manual therapists, but uncertainty about their role and confidence in treating migraine, related cervical involvement.

Emerging neuroscience highlights central sensitisation and the critical influence of cervical afferents, an area where manual therapists are uniquely skilled to intervene.

With the right education, therapists can move from passive referrers to active, confident contributors within interdisciplinary migraine care.

To explore why the time to act is now, makeing the case that translating evidence into practice can transform both clinician confidence and patient outcomes click the link bit.ly/4qoPJ0n to go to Commentary # 45 "Why Educating Manual Therapists About Migraine Matters" [2.5 minute read time].

29/01/2026

The Neck's Role in the Migraine Puzzle

Migraine is often defined as a “primary headache,” meaning its exact cause is unknown, not that contributing factors don’t exist.

Neck dysfunction is frequently acknowledged as an influence in migraine, but definitions can discourage deeper investigation into its role.

Research shows the upper neck can interact with brainstem pain pathways involved in migraine, suggesting a possible contribution for some people.

Assuming the neck is irrelevant may limit assessment, research, and integrated care approaches.

Asking whether the neck can contribute to migraine, rather than “cause” it, supports more open, multidisciplinary understanding and care.

Click the link https://bit.ly/4t0RbYy to Insights #22 - "The Neck's Role in the Migraine Puzzle" [2 minute read time] if you would like to know more.

28/01/2026

Level 3 Certification In-Person Course.

Our first Level 3 Certification In-Person Course for 2026 has just been uploaded online for registration.

Scheduled for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th May 2026 this course has 3 of 6 places remaining.

If you would like to know more or join us, please click on the link https://bit.ly/43VC2Ky to go to Level 3 Certification In-Person Course.

🌟 A course highlighted by collegiate discussion and support taking everyone's thinking about "Cervicogenic Headache and the Role of Cervical (C1-3) Afferents in Primary Headache" to new levels.

27/01/2026

What If Your Headache Isn’t Coming From Your Head?

If your headache or migraine aren’t improving with medication, your neck could be the real source.

Here’s what many people don’t know:

• Some headaches actually originate from the upper neck, not the brain

• This is called Cervicogenic Headache – “cervico” = neck, “genic” = origin

• The top 3 neck joints (C1–C3) can refer pain into the head, mimicking migraine.

Why it feels like a “head” problem:
The nerves of the head and neck share a common pathway. When the upper neck is irritated, the brain can’t tell the difference – so the pain feels like it’s in your head.

Clues your neck may be involved 👇

• One-sided headache that can switch sides

• Headache starting at the base of the skull or upper neck

• Worse with posture (looking down, screens, slouching)

• History of whiplash, concussion, or neck strain

• Neck tightness, stiffness, or shoulder discomfort (past or present).

👉 Important: You don’t need neck pain for your neck to be the cause.

Why this often gets missed:
Cervicogenic headache is under-diagnosed, and many headaches are labelled “migraine” even though the true cause is unknown.

The good news:
Cervicogenic headache is one of the most treatable headache types when properly assessed.
✨ Your neck could be the missing piece.

🔗 Read the more with link https://bit.ly/4acvlcZ to Insights #21 - "When Headache Starts in the Neck: What You Need to Know" [3.5 minute read time].

26/01/2026

The Craniocervical Flexors: Weak or Inhibited?

Muscle “weakness” in the neck isn’t always about strength, it’s often the brain switching muscles off in response to perceived threat.

Even without pain, altered sensory input from the cervical spine can inhibit the deep neck flexors that are essential for head and neck stability.

That familiar feeling of “my head feels too heavy for my neck” may reflect neural inhibition, not true weakness.

Research shows that targeted cervical interventions can immediately restore deep neck flexor function without any strengthening exercises.

This post explores how manual therapy can reset the nervous system and why treating the cause matters more than chasing strength gains.

If you would like to find out more, click the link in the bio, go to Commentary - #44 "The Craniocervical Flexors: Weak or Inhibited?" [1.5 minute read time].

25/01/2026

Level 2 Consolidation In-Person Course

Our first Level 2 Consolidation In-Person Course for 2026 was uploaded online for registration toward the end of 2025.

Scheduled for 27th, 28th and 29th March 2026 this course is now fully subscribed.

A second course Level 2 Consolidation In-Person Course for 2026 is now open, 19th, 20th and 21st June 2026.

If you would like to know more or join us, please click on the linkhttps://bit.ly/43HsjrC, Level 2 Consolidation In-Person Course button.

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces as we embark on this next learning adventure. 🌟

24/01/2026

The Complexion of Silent Migraine

A 78-year-old patient with recurrent balance issues and a prior left-eye visual episode initially labelled a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) presented with a new, prolonged visual disturbance lasting over two weeks.

Extensive hospital and stroke investigations were unremarkable, prompting consideration of Persistent Aura Without Infarction (PAWOI), a rare condition where migrainous aura symptoms persist beyond the usual timeframe without evidence of stroke.

Given a history of neck trauma and prior symptom improvement with manual therapy, cervical involvement was explored and C2 rotation was treated.

Post-treatment, the patient experienced partial and fluctuating improvement in visual symptoms, suggesting a possible link between cervical afferents and her presentation.

The case highlights the importance of ruling out serious pathology while remaining open to less common diagnoses and contributing factors.

If you would like to find out more, click the linkbit.ly/4bxFuSH to go to Commentary - #43 "The Complexion of Silent Migraine" [2.75 minute read time].

23/01/2026

🌍 Wednesday Q & A Highlights 🌍

What an incredible session! We connected with colleagues from Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, and across Australia (Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane & south of Sydney).

Together we explored clinical case presentations, alternating headache, the role of the sympathetic nervous system and sensitivity, Chiari Malformation, empowering patients with life balance conversations and choices, and upper cervical dynamics including C1–2, C2–3 positioning, and C3–4.

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful questions, shared insights, and global collaboration. 🙏

Looking forward to Q & A session conversations In February!

22/01/2026

Could the C2-3 Disc Still be Alive and Up to Mischief?

Join the conversation as Watson and his colleague revisit a long-held assumption in cervical spine thinking: that the C2–3 disc is largely inert and irrelevant after early adulthood.

Drawing on newer imaging and ultrastructural evidence, the conversation gently dismantles this dogma, showing that the nucleus pulposus does not disappear but persists as a distinct, viscous structure even in older individuals.

Notably, C2–3 retains high water content and a clear nucleus, annulus boundary, suggesting it preserves pressure dynamics long thought to be lost.

This persistence matters because pressure implies behaviour. The posterior annulus at C2–3, though thin, is richly innervated and structurally delicate. Subtle, asymmetric pressure shifts within a still-viscous nucleus could tension this posterior wall, provoke afferent signalling, and initiate segmental rotation and stress across upper cervical segments, potentially offering a plausible mechanism for alternating, side-specific head pain that eludes conventional imaging.

Rather than viewing the unique structure of the upper cervical disc as a limitation, Watson reframes it as an enabler of a quieter, more elusive form of disc behaviour. The C2–3 disc may not be an exception to disc mechanics, but their most delicate expression, easy to overlook, yet clinically meaningful.

The conversational blog ultimately invites curiosity, restraint, and a willingness to question what we thought was settled knowledge.

Click the link https://bit.ly/4aNhESK to go to OC3 in Headache Matters to read Edition 45 - "Could the C2-3 Disc Still be Alive and Up to Mischief?" [3 minute read time].

21/01/2026

"Migraine remains one of the most disabling conditions worldwide, yet the potential contribution of Manual Therapy continues to be underestimated and underutilised." Dr Dean H Watson PhD Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

What do you think?

Please share your thoughts.

20/01/2026

The Curious Case of Side-shifting Headache.

Watson and his colleague challenge a cornerstone assumption of headache classification: that cervicogenic headache must be sidelocked.

Drawing on long clinical experience, Watson describes a recurring pattern of unmistakably unilateral head and neck pain that can alternate sides, sometimes rapidly following precise C2–3 intervention.

Far from being random or confusing, these shifts appear consistent, mechanical, and reproducible.

The discussion exposes a familiar double standard. In the lumbar spine, alternating laterality is readily accepted as a hallmark of discogenic behaviour, yet in the cervical spine the same pattern is dismissed as migraine simply because classification rules say cervicogenic headache should not shift. Watson reframes side-shifting not as a diagnostic problem, but as a diagnostic clue, suggesting C2–3 may behave much like a lumbar disc.

The conversation ends with a quiet but provocative challenge: not “Why does it change sides?” but “Why have we assumed it shouldn’t?”

If you would like to explore Watson and colleague's discussion Click the link https://bit.ly/4aUnba7 to go to OC3 in Headache Matters to read Edition 44 - "The Curious Case of Side-shifting Headache" [3 minute read time].

19/01/2026

✨ Q&A Session Highlights ✨

Collaboration between the Watson Headache Institute and Manualmente - Formazione in Movimento.

Thank you to everyone who joined this session on Saturday morning Varese, Italian time, early evening Adelaide, South Australian time.

As always Dr Simone Scaglioni was translator extraordinaire. Thank you Simone.

An engaging discussion packed with real life case studies and insightful questions.

We explored key headache disorders including Menstrual Migraine, Nummular Headache, Hemiplegic Migraine, and Migraine, sharing clinical perspectives and practical takeaways.

Thank you to those of you from Switzerland, Italy and Brazil for your participation and contribution to such a thoughtful, interactive session!

Address

Level 2, 70 Hindmarsh Square
Adelaide, SA
5000

Telephone

+61290091555

Website

http://www.WatsonHeadacheInstitute.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Watson Headache Institute posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Adelaide?