Headaches and Migraines

We've all had a headache, right? (...well some very rare individuals have NEVER had a headache - lucky them!!).

But, are you one of the 15 to 20% of the population that has experienced a migraine?

The International Classification of Headaches 3rd Edition defines a migraine as:

“Recurrent headache disorder manifesting in attacks lasting 4-72 hours. Typical characteristics of the headache are unilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate or severe intensity, aggravation by routine physical activity and association with nausea and/or photophobia* and phonophobia**.”

(https://ichd-3.org/)

*sensitivity to light

**sensitivity to noise/sounds

A migraine is still a headache but often has some extra features. Some people experience pain in the front or the back of the head and it can be accompanied by an aura, dizziness and nausea or vomiting. Aura is a phenomenon where you might experience flashes, zigzags or floating dots in the eyes.

Migraines and headaches can be triggered by a number of things like chocolate, red wine, beer, lack of sleep, noises, odours, physical exertion and flickering lights (all the good things!!).

Headaches & Migraines can be very incapacitating, and this means that sufferers could be missing out on the best of what the Barossa has to offer.

Dr Dean Watson, the creator and owner of the Watson Headache Clinic, theorises that part of what causes headaches and migraines is a sensitised nervous system.

The nerves in the upper 3 spinal segments of the neck get overloaded with sensory input (like a cup overflowing with water), which causes pain to be referred back into the head causing the headache or migraine.

These types of headaches are known as "cervicogenic neck-referred headaches". The techniques developed by Dean to treat these involve reproducing the headache to confirm the relevant spinal segments involved in your headache condition and then resolving the headache. The techniques are very slow and gentle with no cracking or risky movements.

Did you know that two of our physiotherapists have trained under Dr Dean Watson to treat headaches?

Amanda has completed the Level 2 Consolidation Watson Headache Course and Tania has completed the Level 3 Certification Watson Headache course and as such is a Level 3 Certified Practitioner.

For the effective management of headaches and migraines people generally require around 5 visits to our "Head & Jaw Clinic" over 3 weeks and then at less frequent intervals after that until the headache or migraine has gone or improved to a manageable level.

We can help with the treatment of your headaches or migraines. Call the clinic to make an appointment so you can go back to enjoying everything the Barossa has to offer.

References:

https://watsonheadache.com/

https://headacheaustralia.org.au/migraine/

https://ichd-3.org/