I have had a special interest in the cutting edge approach to Headache and Migraine treatment for the past 8 years. I was introduced to the technique by Dr Dean Watson whilst living in Sydney and completed his course on how to successfully treat headaches and migraines that have a cervicogenic component. Dr Watson has dedicated his life to helping those with headaches and migraines and has come up with his own unique understanding of headaches and migraines and how to effectively treat them. Dr Watson aims his treatment at the upper 3 vertebra in the cervical spine. If you suffer from headaches and migraines you will probably have an inkling that your neck has some part to play in it. To understand why treating the cervical spine can help those suffering with headaches and migraines I will need to take you a few steps back.
Headaches and Migraines have been classified separately as two distinctly different conditions. In fact there is currently over 300 different classifications for headaches, some as silly as ponytail headache or bathtub headache. Some of the common misconceptions are that the pain is caused by the blood vessels in head. This has been disproved in a study where the enlargement in diameter of the main blood vessel in the head was measured at only 9% (which researchers believe not to be significant enough to cause the pain). Instead it is deemed to be a reaction to the pain suffered in the head. Tension headaches are also a common misdiagnosis; this diagnosis assumes that the muscle tension around the neck is causing the headaches, however on testing the pressure is virtually no different in the control group which do not suffer from headache or migraine.
The theory that is now gaining support is that headaches and migraines are not separate entities but the same condition just varying degrees of it. And the area responsible for this is a sensitized brain-stem or Trigeminocervical Nucleus. The tri…gem…in…oooohh waht???? This is the area of the brain interprets signals before they go through to the brain and if it is over sensitive it can make them be interpreted as stronger than they really are. The cranial nerves that supply the upper 3 vertebra go through the trigeminocervical nucleus and it is regaining correct function of these vertebras and restoring normal movement which can reduce the sensitivity of the brainstem and fix the headaches or migraine for good.
In most headache and migraine clients I see, I usually find the C2 vertebra is rotated to one side with corresponding muscle spasm around the joint. It is through specific mobilisation of the various levels which can centre C2 and release the spasm in the associated muscles. Then restoring normal function to the joints above and below C2 via mobilisation again. This approach has worked remarkably well at achieving sustained relief from headache and migraine all over the world.
I will be attending the Headache and Migraine Symposium hosted by Dr Dean Watson in Sydney in Late July. It will be great to be surrounded by other health professionals that are passionate about helping those who suffer with headache and migraines. If you suffer from headaches or migraines please call 5742495 to have a specialised head and migraine assessment to see if Ican help you too.