Level 1 Foundation Headache Course: In-Person
'Cervicogenic Headache & The Role Of C1-C3 Cervical Afferents In Primary Headache'
3 Days Of Continuing Professional Development For Manual Therapists
Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths And Manual Medicine Doctors
50% Theory & 50% Practicum
What You Will Learn In Summary:
Learn from Dean that reproduction only of typical head pain can be misleading. Reproduction and lessening of typical head pain as the technique is sustained is unique and fundamental to the Watson Headache® Approach. This is an uncomplicated and very effective approach to headache assessment, management and treatment.
Watson Headache® Institute’s Learning Pathway:
This is an opportunity to begin building your professional and clinical profile in the niche market of headache and migraine. Having attended the Level 1 Foundation Course you will be in a position to be offered an invitation to attend the Level 2 Consolidation Headache Course (3 days) and Level 3 Certification Course (equivalent to 4 days with assessment) in the future.
Allow a minimum of 3 – 6 months between each course level.
Course Pre Requisites:
- Graduate of a Tertiary Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Medical Degree
- Holder of Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Use Manual (palpation) skills in current clinical context
- Fluent in English
- Acknowledgment of the ‘Intellectual Property Notice’ Document
- Acknowledgment of the course ‘Conditions of Use’ Document
- Signed Agreement (before the start of the course) to the ‘Intellectual Property Notice’ and ‘Conditions of Use Document’
- So that we can support you, should you have any queries about any of the outlined points in these documents please forward a separate email advising this to info[@]watsonheadache.com
Level 1 Foundation Course
Course Now Open July/August 2026:
6 of 12 Places Available ~
31st July to 2nd August 2026: 3 days duration
Morgans Building
Level 2, 70 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide South Australia 5000
Upcoming Course Dates
Next Course Dates:
11th, 12th & 13th September 2026
Please ensure airfares/accommodation are covered by travel insurance/have full reimbursement/no exit fee.
Course At A Glance:
Times:
Friday (8.45a.m. - 5p.m.)
Saturday (8.30a.m. - 5p.m.)
Sunday (8.30a.m. - 3.45p.m.)
Adelaide Venue:
Morgans Building
Level 2/70 Hindmarsh Square
Adelaide South
Australia 5000
Presenter:
Dr Dean Watson PhD,
APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Maximum Number:
Small Group, 9 - 12
Priority Registration Fee:
AUD$1697.00 (inclusive of GST)
Save AUD$200
*1 Standard Fee AUD$1897.00 (inclusive of GST)
Please Note:
The Watson Headache® Institute courses are only open to those holding a Tertiary Qualification in, and Professional Registration to practice as a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath or Manual Medicine Doctor.
The Level 1 Foundation Course Is Underpinned By The Watson Headache® Institute’s Mission:
"That all individuals experiencing Cervicogenic and Primary Headache and associated conditions,
have access to a skilled assessment and management of their upper cervical spine."
Receive Updated Course Content And Material Which Will Enable You To ...
- Conduct an effective sensitive (to ‘Red Flags’ and instability) subjective examination and establish clear reassessment features.
- Perform (and understand) a responsible and sensitive assessment of the craniovertebral ligaments thereby lessening the impact of your manual examination (and treatment) on potentially vulnerable structures.
- Identify confidently relevant segmental (CO-C3) dysfunction, that is, which segment/s is the source of the head pain and/or source of sensitisation underpinning primary headache conditions.
- Have an effective alternative (to HVTTs) for the management of upper cervical dysfunction
Some Of The Benefits Gained By Attending This Course Are:
- A Protocol at your fingertips to assess, treat and manage headache and the upper cervical spine
- An Approach using step by step diagnostic techniques to identify, through temporary reproduction and lessening of a patient’s head pain, the spinal segment/s involved in headache and migraine
- Take the Guesswork out of who you should be treating and how to treat
- Seamless Application of the diagnostic techniques (with unparalleled accuracy) applied as treatment techniques (over 4 – 5 sessions)
- Know Which Segment/s Are Involved and be 70% – 80% of the way to successful clinical outcomes
- Safe and Effective Assessment of the upper cervical spine
- Confidence when approaching the neck and headache
- Increased Employment Opportunities as courses highly valued by employers
- Professional Differentiation of both you and your clinic/place of employment
- Patient List Growth through word-of-mouth recommendations
- Being Highly Sought After in your local marketplace
- A New Service to market in your clinic/place of employment to your database
Promotion Post Course:
Watson Headache® International Community:
Once you attend one of the Watson Headache® Institute’s courses you join the Watson Headache® International Community of approximately 4,000 course attendees and the many people with headache and/or migraine who have sought the help of health professionals (physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths ad manual therapy doctors) who have attended one or more of the Watson Headache® Institute’s courses.
Thank You For Your Interest In Headache And Migraine:
We hope you can join us on this course or a course in the near future. The Watson Headache® Institute’s courses fill quickly so register now to avoid disappointment.
*1 Payment Options:
Option 1: Priority Registration Fee
AUD$1,697 Inclusive of GST(Saving of AUD$200 off the Standard Fee AUD$1,897)
Payment in Full at time of Registration, by four weeks before the course.
Option 2: 2 Part Payment Plan
AUD$1,797 inclusive of GST (Saving AUD$100 off the Standard Fee AU$1,897)
One payment of AUD$898.50 - at the time of registration and one payment of AUD$898.50 - 30 days later, Payment in Full two weeks before the course start date.
Option 3: Standard Registration
AUD$1,897 Inclusive of GST. Payment in Full at time of Registration
Note:
- Where a course is hosted by a 3rd party, the course fees are set by the course host. The Watson Headache® Institute is not responsible for any variance compared with its fee structure.
- *1 Payment Options For Watson Headache® Institute Courses In Australia And New Zealand (Unless Advised Otherwise For Example Where Courses Are Hosted By A 3rd Party).
Level 1 Foundation Course Program:
The Program may be adjusted at the discretion of the presenter to accommodate the course content and patient demonstrations.
Day One
8:30am
Registration
9:00am
Classification (Medical Model) of Headache
(Lecture/theory)
‘Sensitive New Age Migraine’ & Contemporary Research (Lecture/theory)
Anatomy and Kinematics
(Lecture/theory)
Objective Examination
(Demonstration/practical)
5:00pm
Conclusion Day 1
Day Two
8:30am
Review Day 1
(Theory/Practical)
9:00am
Subjective Examination
(Lecture/theory)
Objective Examination
(Demonstration/practical)
Patient Examination
(Demonstration/discussion/practical for some participants)
5:00pm
Conclusion Day 2
Day Three
8:30am
Review Day 2
(Theory/Practical)
9:00am
Objective Examination
(Demonstration/practical)
Patient Examination
(Demonstration/discussion/practical for some participants)
Treatment
(Lecture/theory)
5:00pm