Watson Headache Institute

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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.

22/02/2026

How to Identify Cervicogenic Head Pain

Can you identify cervicogenic head pain in the first 3 minutes?

Breaking down how the behaviour of unilateral head pain, side-locked, alternating, or transitory, can reveal a cervical driver early in the consult, and why some patterns actually confirm CGH rather than rule it out.

Learn the subtle distinctions that change diagnosis and treatment by going to the link https://bit.ly/3OrJg6x and choose Clinical Perspectives # 3 - "How to Identify Cervicogenic Head Pain" [1.5 minute read time].

21/02/2026

A Glimpse Into Our Level 1 Foundation Course 👀

A small snapshot from this course comprised of 50% theory and 50% practical.

Watching participants grow in confidence and understanding is always the most rewarding part of these sessions. Every step builds the foundation for what comes next 💫

Grateful for this group’s energy, curiosity, and willingness to learn.

20/02/2026

3rd Wednesday February Q & A Highlighted the Spinous Process

Such a rich and inspiring evening at our Q&A session.

A huge thank you to the Physiotherapists who joined us from Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, and across Australia — Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. The depth of knowledge, clinical reasoning, and generosity in sharing perspectives were appreciated by attendees.

One of the standout highlights was the exploration of why a spinous process can be deviated away from the side of headache and still be clinically relevant.

The nuanced insights, thoughtful questions, and collaborative problem-solving reminded us just how powerful global professional dialogue can be.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, listened, questioned, and shared. Looking forward to the next one ✨

19/02/2026

The Forgotten Cervical Nucleus Pulposus in Headache

The long held belief that the viscosity of the nucleus pulposus in cervical discs has diminished significantly early in life, has quietly removed the disc, especially at C2–3, from serious consideration in headache.

Emerging histological and imaging evidence now suggests the nucleus pulposus persists, particularly at C2-3, remains hydrated, and retains biomechanical potential well into adulthood.

This challenges the idea that cervical discs can’t behave discogenically or contribute to headache.

The post proposes a compelling mechanism linking subtle C2–3 disc behaviour to unilateral alternating headache.

Discover why re-examining the “forgotten” cervical disc could fundamentally change how we understand and classify cervicogenic headache, just click the link bit.ly/4byTYSf to go to Commentary - #51 "The Forgotten Cervical Nucleus Pulposus in Headache" [2 minute read time].

18/02/2026

Level 1 Foundation In-Person Course 13th - 15th February 2026

✨ It was an absolute pleasure to welcome our Level 1 participants from across Australia to this course, the first for 2026, from Port Macquarie, Albury & Sydney (NSW), Gold Coast (QLD), Hobart (TAS), Melbourne & Bendigo (VIC), and right here in Adelaide (SA).

We asked participants “What did you find most valuable about this course?". A much appreciated (Thank You) synthesis of answers:

✔️ Clear, concise delivery of complex concepts using both presentation and audio-visual materials
✔️ Strong integration of theory with practical clinical application
✔️ In-depth exploration of upper cervical spine kinematics and the trigeminocervical nucleus
✔️ Insight into the relationship between manual techniques, intra-discal pressure, and headache outcomes
✔️ Extensive hands-on practice with personalised feedback
✔️ Small group sizes that supported individual learning
✔️ The opportunity to practise on a wide variety of necks, including Dean’s!
✔️ Real clinical case presentations and a structured consultation approach
✔️ Observation of authentic consultation processes
✔️ High-level content delivered at an effective, manageable pace
✔️ Use of videos, models, and demonstrations to reinforce understanding
✔️ Clear explanations that deepened clinical reasoning
✔️ The value of hearing Dean explain concepts live in real time

❤️ We loved hosting you all and hearing about your before and after course adventures too! From Adelaide Central Market and local gyms to Glenelg Beach, Moonlight Cinema at the Botanic Gardens, Valentine’s Day dinners, the LIV Golf buzz, and visits to our beautiful wineries… you certainly made the most of your time here.

Thank you for bringing such enthusiasm, professionalism, and curiosity to the weekend. We look forward to continuing to support you on your educational pathway in 'Cervicogenic Headache and the Role of Cervical Afferents in Primary Headache".

17/02/2026

Syringomyelia: Hands-On or Hands-Off?

To unpack why cervical syringomyelia raises serious safety considerations for manual cervical therapy, what the literature actually says about contraindications, and how clinical decision-making shifts toward extreme caution and individual assessment explore the evidence, risks, and grey areas by going to the link https://bit.ly/3NZtFuZ to Clinical Perspectives # 2 - "Syringomyelia: Hands-On or Hands-Off?" [2 minute read time]

16/02/2026

Unilateral Alternating Headache: Rethinking Unilaterality

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is traditionally defined as strictly side-locked, yet this assumption has rarely been tested and may be more habit than biology.

Drawing on clinical experience and neuroscience, this post argues that unilateral 'alternating' headache points to a cervical source, specifically, C2–3 (intradiscal) dysfunction, much like alternating symptoms in lumbar disc disorders.

Furthermore, the trigeminocervical complex is a bilateral, convergent system, so there’s no physiological rule that cervical pain must always stay on one side.

Rigid adherence to side-locked criteria risks misclassifying patients as migraine and missing a treatable cervical driver.

To read why rethinking laterality could sharpen CGH diagnosis, improve research validity, and change patient outcomes, click the link bit.ly/4pLpsIy to go to Commentary - #50 "Unilateral Alternating Headache: Rethinking Unilaterality" [2.75 minute read time].

15/02/2026

Cervical Contribution in Primary Headache

Much of what we now understand about the cervical contribution in primary headache comes from the work of Dr Dean H Watson, PhD, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist.

His research has fundamentally shifted how we think about headache mechanisms, highlighting the role of cervical afferents in initiating and sustaining headache and migraine in a meaningful subgroup of patients.

This work questions a purely central narrative and reminds us that peripheral input can matter deeply in assessment, management, and patient education.

Understanding mechanism is not academic, it changes practice.

14/02/2026

Congenital Fusion: Radiology vs Palpation

A radiology report says ‘congenital cervical fusion’ — but is that the full story?

To explore why imaging (especially lateral views) can produce false positives, why CT may be more reliable, and why skilled palpation still matters when clinical decisions are on the line go to the link https://bit.ly/45SV0oR to Clinical Perspectives # 1 - "Congenital Fusion: Radiology vs Palpation" [1.5 minute read time]

13/02/2026

Expertise Out of Place: Cervicogenic Headache Criteria

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a musculoskeletal disorder, yet its diagnostic criteria were written primarily by neurologists, not clinicians trained to assess the cervical spine.

This misalignment has produced rigid, exclusion-based criteria that miss the very features that define CGH: upper cervical dysfunction, symptom provocation, and resolution with skilled manual assessment.

As a result, patients are dismissed, overlap with migraine is misunderstood, and cervical mechanisms within the trigeminocervical complex are under-recognised.

This isn’t a knowledge gap, but an authority gap created when musculoskeletal expertise was sidelined.

To explore why CGH criteria need rebalancing, and how collaborative reform could transform diagnosis and patient care, click the link bit.ly/49FQOJY to go to Commentary - #49 "Expertise Out of Place: Cervicogenic Headache Criteria" [2 minute read time].

12/02/2026

Migraine is often labelled a purely brain-driven (central sensitisation) condition. Yet examining both central and peripheral contributions reveals that this narrative may be incomplete.

Not All Migraine is the Same. Not all sensitisation begins centrally.

Dr Dean Watson shows that in some patients, cervical afferent input, not just the brain, may initiate and maintain persistent central sensitisation.

This distinction between central and peripheral drivers is clinically significant. When sensitisation stems from peripheral sources, strategies that address cervical contributions, movement, load, and sensorimotor input become especially relevant, not necessarily as a cure-all, but as a step toward a more precise model.

Finding the real cause helps us ask better questions, think more clearly, and give better care.

11/02/2026

Cervical Manual Therapy: Reducing Central Sensitisation in Migraine

The neck–migraine connection is getting stronger:
Emerging research continues to support the role of upper cervical afferents in migraine, reinforcing the idea that migraine isn’t just a brain issue, the cervical spine matters.

Manual therapy may influence central sensitisation:
New neurophysiological studies suggest upper cervical manual therapy (UCMT) can modulate activity within the trigeminocervical complex (TCC), a key player in migraine sensitisation.

Big implications beyond medication:
This growing body of evidence supports non-pharmacological approaches for migraine and may also extend to other primary headache disorders, where migraine is a shared phenotype.

Explore further, just go to the link https://bit.ly/4tlAZRP and access Contemporary Research #6 - "Cervical Manual Therapy: Reducing Central Sensitisation in Migraine?" [1 minute read time].

Address

Level 2, 70 Hindmarsh Square
Adelaide, SA
5000

Telephone

+61290091555

Website

http://www.WatsonHeadacheInstitute.com/

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