The Role of CO-C3 Segmental Dysfunction in Benign Recurring Headache

MR DEAN WATSON MAPA MMPAA Msc

Consultant Headache and Migraine Physiotherapist
Director, headacheclinic.com.au P/L & Watson Headache Institute P/L

Two day workshop

Over 300 types of headache have been described. Which of these should we be assessing?
How do you recognise those headaches which are secondary to more serious pathology e.g. a cerebral haemorrhage or tumour?
Are you not confident using high velocity thrust techniques in the upper cervical spine?
Are you concerned about manual therapy in relation to the vertebral artery and potential instability?

Dean Watson is an Australian (Maitland) trained manipulative physiotherapist who has worked exclusively with headache for the past 13 years. In that time he has examined over 4000 headache patients and completed over 13000 treatments. Dean’s Masters research involving head posture and upper cervical flexor muscle performance was published in Cephalalgia and has influenced the rehabilitation of cervicogenic headache.

This 2-day course aims to:

• improve your ability to identify relevant cervicogenic dysfunction;
• improve your ability to localise which segment is the source of or contributing factor to headache;
• lessen the impact of your manual examination and treatment on the vertebral artery and potential craniovertebral instability;
• improve your ability to recognise “Red flags”;
• add another dimension to your treatment of headache.

Studies have shown that cervicogenic dysfunction exists in different headache forms. But is it relevant? Reproduction and resolution of headache is crucial in determining the relevance of dysfunction.

The course will enable you to identify relevant dysfunction and mobilise the upper cervical spine (UCS) without using high velocity thrust techniques. Advanced passive physiological and accessory movement examination techniques will enhance your skills in identifying segmental dysfunction and determine which segment/s are likely to be the source of headache. Such diagnostic accuracy underpins successful management. The techniques are new and require basic palpation examination skills and knowledge of the kinematics of the UCS.

The course also includes how to recognise those features suggesting instability of the UCS before manual testing. The biomechanics of the tests and their application will also be discussed and practised.

Course participants will work in groups of three. Included in the fee is a full set of course notes. An articulated model of the CO-C3 segments will be available to enhance comprehension of the stability tests and examination/treatment techniques.