How Can I Tell if the Watson Headache Approach Could Help Me?

[0:01]Hello, I'm Dean Watson, of the Watson Headache Clinic and Watson Headache Institute. I'm often asked, how can I tell if the Watson Headache Approach could help me? Well, the answer is simply this, if your headache or migraine is from your neck, then the Watson Headache Approach can help you. So, how can you tell if your headache or migraine is caused by your neck? The most clear feature is this, if your headache or migraine is one-sided, particularly if it can be on either side, your neck is definitely the cause. For example, your headache occurs on the right side on one occasion, and then the next time it's on the left, or it can even swap sides during the same headache or episode. Your headache need not actually swap side but spreads to include the other side, for example, if your headache is always right, but as it worsens it spreads to be on the left as well. If your headache moves around or can be in different places, these presentations indicate that your neck is the cause of your headache or migraine. However, your headache needn't swap sides, if it is one-sided and always on the same side, this is also a clear indication that your neck is the cause of your headache or migraine. Other features include, if your headache or migraine starts in your neck or shoulder or is accompanied by neck stiffness, soreness, tenderness, then your neck is the reason for your headache or migraine. However, the absence of neck symptoms does not exclude your neck as the reason for your headache or migraine. If your headache or migraine is triggered or aggravated by neck movement or sustained neck positions, for example, sustained neck flexion or forward bending, prolonged sitting at a computer or driving, then clearly your neck is involved. If your headache or migraine is a result of head or neck trauma, it is appropriate that you consult your doctor. However, if there's no evidence of injury to structures within your head, or if you were concussed, and once the concussive state has passed, and headache or headache or migraine continues, then there's a strong likelihood that your neck is the source of your headache or migraine. A gradual increase in frequency of your headache or migraine is a strong indication that your neck is involved. However, please note that if there's a sudden increase in frequency of your headache or migraine, for no apparent reason, particularly if you're over 50 years of age, you should consult your doctor. Many report none of the above though, they feel that their neck is not involved, or simply have no idea of the cause. However, an examination using the Watson Headache Approach will confirm or rule out your neck as the cause. I'm Dane Watson, thank you for listening.