Are you looking for effective treatment for your headache or migraine ?

Different headache types include:

  • cluster headaches
  • tension headaches
  • migraines
  • cervicogenic headaches

The good news is these different headaches and migraine types, often share a common underlying feature that means they can be treated successfully with physiotherapy.

The Watson Approach for headache treatment

​If you’re in pain with headaches and migraines, you’re often after the quickest, most effective but also a long-term solution.

The Watson Headache® Approach is a recognised and researched method of examination and treatment for headache and migraine conditions.

The effectiveness and diagnostic accuracy of the Watson Headache® Approach is unparalleled.

Rochelle is our Senior physiotherapist that is a qualified therapist in the assessment and treatment of headaches and migraines, using the Watson Approach.

What does headache treatment involve?

1. Confirming the upper neck are responsible for your headache or migraine
2. Determine which of the upper cervical spinal joints are involved
3. Patient education so you understand how the upper cervical spine may be the cause of your headache/migraine
4. Temporary reproduction AND resolution (easing) of headache pain/symptoms using specific techniques.
5. NO cracking or manipulation of your neck – all techniques are very specific but some discomfort is expected.

A 60-minute initial assessment to confirm if your neck is a contributing factor to your headache and/or migraine.

In most cases, for best results, the first 5 sessions are usually done within a 3-week period.

Three Stages of Treatment

Pain is often the last symptom to arrive and the first to go. This often tricks the owner of an injury (you) into stopping treatment before the underlying causes have either completely resolved or you are in control of them. Without getting to this point there is a risk of re-injury.

As a result we look at your treatment over three phases to get the best result

Listen to how your problem happened and how it is affecting you.
Posture and if it influences your symptoms.
upper neck, lower neck and thoracic mobility.
Individual joint movements in the neck and upper back.
Muscle strength in your neck and shoulder girdle.
Nerve testing in the upper limbs.

Specific to you.
Understand what is going on and why.
Personnel and targeted treatment to get you out of pain using a combination of manual therapy, education and exercise.
Get you moving well as soon as possible.

Prevent recurrence of your injury
Lifestyle, strength and exercise programs
Building confidence and resilience by putting together a program for you to get the results you want

Rochelle Kay

Physiotherapist

BExSc Bachelor of Exercise Science & MPhtySt Masters of Physiotherapy Studies

Instant online booking with Rochelle Kay

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