• Should I be worried about the cause of my headache or migraine?

In the vast majority of cases you don't need to worry about a sinister cause. In other words, it is likely that your headache is what is known as a "Primary Headache" and exists independently of any other medical condition. However, you should get medical advice if...
  • your headache is severe and in a new form that you don't recognise.
  • your headache changes significantly when you lie or stand.
  • you are over 50 with a new headache.
  • you have a headache accompanied by pins and needles in both hands and feet at the same time, poor body coordination, personality change or confusion.
  • you develop a stiff neck, mid and lower back discomfort or sciatica (leg pain) within a few days/weeks of a severe headache.
  • you have had recent trauma to the head or neck and develop a new unusual headache.



  • How many sessions will I need?

We would expect significant measurable changes within the first 4-5 sessions over a two week period. If we don't see significant changes within that time we stop treatment. We would expect to get to the point of discharge within a 4 week period (up to 7 sessions in total), with the advice to help maintain improvements with self management strategies/exercises. 70-80% of patients usually follow this pattern.
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  • Is there any research/science behind this treatment and headache theory?

Headache disorders are one of the most common disorders of the nervous system if you take advice from the World Health Organisation. It is however one of the least understood. New research into headache shows that the "blood vessel theory" of headache/migraine which is commonly communicated to patients by health professionals is no longer totally accurate.

In the past 10 years, the understanding of what causes a headache has changed.  The most recent research into headache and migraine conditions now shows that recurring headaches and migraines are caused by a sensitised part of your brainstem known as the trigemino-cervical nucleus. 
We do know that the upper part of your neck has a direct connection to the trigemino-cervical nucleus in the brainstem. This is where the treatment approach at Sydney Headache Clinic becomes relevant.

The Watson Headache® Approach has been developed over 25 years by world renowned headache researcher and clinician, Dean Watson. 
Dean's recent PhD research shows that not only is the traditional medical "blood vessel theory" incomplete, but also the Upper Cervical Spine is a key factor in the cause and treatment of headache and migraine.

This treatment technique has recently been included in a world first non-medicinal scientific study into the treatment of migraine.....
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  • Will I need to have someone come with me to my appointment?

Its unlikely that you will need someone to accompany you. If you do, however, want a friend/partner (or parent) to come along for whatever reason they are most welcome. Some patients that come along with visual symptoms or pain that affect their ability to drive will obviously need some help. It's very unlikely those symptoms will be made worse following a treatment.



  • I've tried all sort of treatments including physio, chiro, osteo, acupuncture, traditional chinese/herbal etc.. How is this different?

This treatment doesn't involve any 'cracking' or 'repetitive' movements on your neck. It involves specific slow sustained neck pressure and occasionally aims to reproduce and resolve the pain of your headache. It will undoubtedly show whether your neck is involved (more often than not it is). 
In our initial assessment and treatment session our practitioners will be extremely thorough in their assessment of the likely origins of your headache and what can be done to fix it. 
It will not mean having to attend for endless treatments. We should know whether we can help within 2-3 weeks. Once symptoms are under control we give you a clear action plan of how to manage and there will be fewer visits over time.