Melbourne's Headache & Migraine Specialists - Watson Technique Experts
90% of Patients Improve Within 2 Weeks - Free Pre-Assessment Call Available
Physiotherapist performing Watson Technique headache assessment
At Keilor Road Physiotherapy, our Watson Technique trained specialists have helped hundreds of headache and migraine sufferers find lasting relief. Our clinical findings show that 80% of chronic headaches have a treatable neck dysfunction component, and 90% of our patients experience significant improvement within just 2 weeks of starting treatment.
Free 15-minute phone consultation available - speak with one of our headache specialists to discuss your symptoms and determine if our approach is right for you.
Meet Our TMJ Specialists
John Keller - Clinical Director
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist & Watson Technique Expert
Post Graduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (with distinction)
Certified Watson Technique practitioner for headache assessment
20+ years experience treating complex headache and migraine cases
Searle Shield recipient for excellence in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Expert in identifying cervical spine contributions to headaches
Specialist-level expertise in chronic pain management
Cuong Pham - APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist
Watson Technique Certified Headache Specialist
Titled APA Sports Physiotherapist
Masters in Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Sports) - University of South Australia
Watson Technique trained for precise headache assessment
Special interest in chronic headache and migraine management
Expert in treating athletes with exercise-induced headaches
Combines manual therapy with targeted exercise rehabilitation
Fluent Vietnamese speaker - serving diverse communities
Scott Sanders - Physiotherapist
Watson Technique Practitioner & Manual Therapy Expert
Masters of Physiotherapy (University of Melbourne)
Watson Technique certified for headache and cervical assessment
Advanced training in trigger point therapy and dry needling
Focus on treating root causes, not just symptoms
Experience with complex chronic headache cases
Hands-on treatment approach for optimal outcomes
The Watson Technique - Precise Assessment for Lasting Relief
Watson Technique cervical spine assessment being performed
Why Most Headache Treatments Fail
Many headache sufferers have tried medications, injections, or general physiotherapy without lasting success. The reason? 80% of chronic headaches have the upper cervical spine (neck) as a source of pain - but this dysfunction is often missed by conventional assessment methods.
How the Watson Technique Works
The Watson Technique is a specialised assessment method that allows our physiotherapists to:
Precise Identification
Identify which upper cervical joints are causing your headache
Reproduce Your Headache
Reproduce your exact headache during assessment to confirm the source
Predict Treatment Response
Predict treatment response with remarkable accuracy
Differentiate Headache Types
Differentiate between true migraines and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches
Targeted Treatment
Target treatment to the specific joints causing your symptoms
The Watson Technique Difference
Unlike general neck treatment, the Watson Technique uses specific manual examination of the upper three cervical segments (C1-C3) to identify dysfunction that refers pain to the head. This precision allows us to treat the actual cause rather than just managing symptoms.
The Watson Technique provides a systematic, evidence-based approach that has helped thousands of headache sufferers find lasting relief when other treatments have failed.
Our Success Rate
of patients show treatable cervical dysfunction contributing to headaches
of patients experience significant improvement within 2 weeks
commitment to treating the actual cause for lasting relief
Our Proven Treatment Protocol
Our Proven Treatment Protocol
Get Results in Just 2 Weeks
Treatment Schedule:
- • Week 1-2: 2 sessions per week (4 sessions total)
- • Week 3-4: 1-2 sessions per week as symptoms improve
- • Ongoing: Maintenance sessions as needed
Sessions 1-2
Week 1- • Precise Watson Technique manual therapy to affected cervical joints
- • Immediate reassessment to confirm improvement
- • Soft tissue release of neck and shoulder muscles
- • Initial home exercise program aimed at decreasing acute symptoms
Sessions 3-4
Week 2- • Progressive manual therapy as joint function improves
- • Advanced exercise rehabilitation for lasting relief
- • Posture and ergonomic corrections
- • Self-management strategies
Week 3-4 and Beyond
Ongoing- • Consolidation of gains
- • Long-term prevention strategies
- • Return to normal activities without headache triggers
- • Maintenance program for lasting results
Anatomical illustration showing upper cervical spine and headache pain referral patterns
Our Watson Technique Specialists Have Extensive Experience Treating:
Cervicogenic Headaches
Neck-Related Headaches
- Cervicogenic headaches (neck-related)
- Tension-type headaches
- Post-traumatic headaches (after whiplash or concussion)
- Occipital neuralgia
Migraine
Migraine Types
- Migraine with aura
- Migraine without aura
- Vestibular migraine
- Chronic migraine
Chronic Headaches
Long-Term Patterns
- Chronic daily headaches
- Medication overuse headaches
- Exercise-induced headaches
- Postural headaches from desk work
Neck & Shoulder Tension
Associated Musculoskeletal
- Neck pain with headaches
- Shoulder and upper back tension contributing to headaches
- Postural dysfunction
TMJ & Facial Pain
Jaw-Related Headaches
- TMJ dysfunction causing headaches
- Facial pain with headaches
- Jaw tension headaches
Associated Symptoms
Related Presentations
- Visual disturbances with headaches
- Nausea and light sensitivity
- Dizziness with headaches
- Sensory sensitivity
What We Don't Treat
We focus on musculoskeletal causes of headaches. We work closely with neurologists and GPs for headaches requiring medical management or investigation (suspected serious pathology, new sudden-onset severe headaches).
Comprehensive Treatment Techniques
Watson Technique Manual Therapy
Specific C1-C3 joint mobilisation
Gentle, precise techniques targeting dysfunction
Immediate reassessment to confirm improvement
Progressive treatment as joints restore normal function
Exercise Rehabilitation
Deep neck flexor strengthening
Upper cervical stability exercises
Postural correction exercises
Shoulder blade and upper back strengthening
Soft Tissue & Trigger Point Release
Release of tight neck and shoulder muscles
Trigger point therapy for referred pain patterns
Dry needling for persistent muscle tension
Myofascial release techniques
Lifestyle & Ergonomic Modification
Workstation setup and ergonomics
Sleep positioning recommendations
Stress management strategies
Trigger identification and avoidance
Why Choose KRP for Headache Treatment?
Watson Technique Expertise
All three of our senior physiotherapists are Watson Technique trained, ensuring you receive specialist-level assessment and treatment for your headaches.
Proven Results
90% of our patients experience significant improvement within 2 weeks. Our success rate comes from precise assessment targeting the actual cause of your headaches.
Specialist-Led Care
Clinical Director Dr. Jenny Hynes (FACP) is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with over 30 years experience in complex headache management.
Free Pre-Assessment Call
Not sure if physiotherapy can help your headaches? Book a free 15-minute phone consultation with one of our Watson Technique specialists to discuss your symptoms.
Fast Treatment Protocol
Our intensive 2-session per week protocol delivers rapid results. Most patients notice improvement within the first week of treatment.
Comprehensive Approach
We address not just your neck dysfunction, but also posture, ergonomics, lifestyle factors, and self-management for lasting relief.
What to Expect at Your Assessment
Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation
Optional- Discuss your headache symptoms and history
- Determine if our approach is appropriate for your condition
- Answer any questions about the Watson Technique
- Explain expected outcomes and treatment timeline
Initial Headache Assessment
40 minutes- Comprehensive headache history (frequency, intensity, triggers, previous treatments)
- Watson Technique examination of upper cervical spine
- Reproduction of your headache during assessment to confirm source
- Postural and movement analysis
- Assessment of contributing factors (stress, ergonomics, sleep)
- Clear diagnosis with explanation of findings
- Immediate manual therapy treatment targeting identified dysfunction
- Customised treatment plan with realistic 2-week timeline
- Home exercise program and self-management strategies
Follow-Up Treatment Sessions
20-30 minutes- Progressive Watson Technique manual therapy
- Soft tissue and trigger point release
- Exercise progression
- Ergonomic and lifestyle modifications
- Regular reassessment to track improvement
- Treatment plan adjustments based on response
Quick Answers to Common Questions
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Book a free 15-minute phone consultation, and we'll discuss your symptoms. During assessment, the Watson Technique allows us to reproduce your exact headache by examining specific neck joints - this confirms the neck as the source.
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The Watson Technique is a specialised assessment method that most physiotherapists aren't trained in. It allows precise identification of which upper cervical joints are causing your headaches, leading to targeted treatment rather than general neck therapy.
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The Watson Technique uses gentle, precise mobilisation techniques. Most patients find treatment comfortable. We always work within your tolerance and adjust our approach as needed.
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Most patients notice some improvement within 1-2 sessions. Our data shows 90% of patients experience significant improvement within 2 weeks when following our recommended protocol.
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Yes! Many migraines have a cervicogenic component (neck contribution). The Watson Technique can identify if your migraines have a treatable neck dysfunction component. Even when neck dysfunction isn't the primary cause, addressing it can reduce migraine frequency and severity.
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No referral is needed. However, if you haven't seen a doctor about your headaches, we may recommend a medical evaluation to rule out serious causes before beginning treatment.
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If we identify that your headaches don't have a cervical spine component, or if you don't respond to treatment within 2-3 weeks, we'll refer you to appropriate specialists (neurologist, GP) for further investigation.
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We work with Medicare CDM plans with a small gap payment and accept all private health insurance. On-the-spot rebates available for eligible patients.
Start Your Journey to Headache-Free Living
Don't let headaches control your life. Our Watson Technique specialists have helped hundreds of patients achieve lasting relief. With 90% of patients improving within 2 weeks, you could be headache-free sooner than you think.
Book your free 15-minute phone consultation today - speak with a Watson Technique specialist about your headaches.
Servicing: Keilor, Niddrie, Essendon, Airport West, and Melbourne's northwest suburbs for over 40 years.
Call: (03) 9379 4557
Clinic Hours: Monday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday: Closed
Expert headache care with specialised Watson Technique assessment and treatment. 80% of chronic headaches have a treatable neck component. 90% of our patients improve within 2 weeks. Free pre-assessment call available.