In Brisbane and the throughout world, headaches and Migraines are one of the most common and most distressing conditions in the world, with up to 90% of people experiencing at least one form of headache at one point in their lives. In Australia alone, it has been reported that up to 16% of people suffer from severe migraines. For many headache and migraine sufferers, little to no relief has been found through traditional methods.

Headaches are classified into two categories. Primary headache, which accounts for roughly 90% of all headaches, and Secondary headache, whereby headache pain is caused as a result of a known pathology.

There are three main types of primary headache; Tension-Type headache, Migraine, and a third group that includes Cluster headaches. Some types of Secondary headache include Sinus-headache, Cervico-genic headache, headaches caused by brain tumours or aneurysms, or even medication-overdose headaches. By definition, if the cause is treated in a secondary headache, then the headache pain should resolve.

As of 2017, the International Headache Society has officially classified over 300 types of headaches. Our headache clinicians in Brisbane are able to classify which type of headache you may be suffering from through a detailed headache history and comprehensive assessment.

Tension-Type Headache

The most common type of primary headache, Tension-Type Headache or TTH accounts for up to 90% of all primary headaches and is described as a tight-band like pressure around the head. The severity ranges from mild-moderate and can last anywhere from minutes to days at a time.

Chronic Daily Headache

This type of headache is present almost daily, with a diagnosis confirmed if you experience headache at least 15 days out of the month. The pain can be in the head, neck or face regions and mimics Tension-Type Headache symptoms.

Migraine Headache

Often described as one of the most disabling and painful disorders, migraine headaches account for up to 30% of all headache types. Migraines can be one-sided, and are often accompanied by “associated features” such as visual auras, nausea and vomiting or sensitivity to light, smell or sound.

Do you suffer from migraines or know someone that does? Take this quick quiz to find out.

1. Does light, sound or smell bother you when you have a headache?
2. Do you get nausea or vomiting when you have a headache?
3. Has your headache affected your ability to function in your daily life in the past 3 months?

If you’ve answered YES to at least ONE of the above, you may be experiencing migraines. Contact one of our headache clinicians to see if you are a migraine sufferer.

Menstrual Migraines

Ranked as one of the most disabling conditions for women, migraines that are associated with the menstrual cycle are classified as Menstrual Migraines or MM. The symptoms can be brought on at any point during the cycle, and mimic the severe and disabling symptoms of a migraine attack.

Cluster Headaches

Although less common than other types of headache, the pain has been reported to be severe to extreme, with the attacks occurring in clusters lasting anywhere from 15-180 minutes at a time, over several times a day. Usually, Cluster Headache sufferers experience periods of remission (headache-free periods) and symptomatic periods which may last for months at a time.

The Cause?

At the Brisbane Headache & Migraine Clinic, our clinicians are trained in assessing and treating the brainstem. In recent years, research has shown that the brainstem has the potential to play a vital role in causing headache and migraine. It has also been shown that up to 94% of headache and migraine sufferers, are affected by a sensitised brainstem.

The Treatment

Our Watson Headache Practitioners treat your headaches and migraines through the process of de-sensitising the brainstem. This treatment is divided into two stages. Stage 1 involves correcting any faults found upon assessment to do with the upper three cervical vertebrae in the neck. Stage 2 involves repeatedly recreating and then resolving your headache. This process is repeated until headaches are no longer able to be reproduced. Once that point is reached, the brainstem will be de-sensitised and the symptoms of your headache and migraines will be significantly reduced.

For more information on how the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic can assist with your treatment, contact us today on

1800 HEADACHE (toll free) 1800 43 23 22