THE SPINAL CENTRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Founder
- Clinic Director and Principal Practitioner
Dr. Warrick R. Hooper is the founder and director of The Spinal Centre practice. He is also the principal practitioner and editor of The Spinal Centre website and eClinic.
Dr. Hooper began as a medical scientist with a background in Advanced Neuroscience and Molecular Genetics. With an extensive knowledge of neuroanatomy and physiology, he then progressed to Chiropractic and Sports Nutrition.
He began his career studying science at Monash University with a focus on Analytical and Organic Chemistry. At the time he was rowing for Mercantile Rowing Club and was selected to represent the state in the Victorian Youth VIII. After wining the Victorian Championships, NSW Championships and National Championships the crew raced up a division in the Senior B category and won consecutive Australian Under 23 Championships.
Whilst at Monash University, he gained selection in the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), being awarded a full Scholarship and then selection to the Australian Rowing Team to compete and win the ‘Trans Tasman Rowing Series'. In his spare time Warrick stroked the Monash University VIII winning the Australian Inter-varsity Rowing Championships. For his efforts he was awarded a ‘Full Blue' - the highest sporting honour from Monash University.
Returning to Mercantile Rowing Club he rowed with the "Oarsome Foursome" again wining State and National Championship in the Elite Senior A division as well as the prestigious ‘Kings Cup" - Champion Australian VIII. On selection to The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, he received a full scholarship for rowing and therefore transferred to The Australian National University to his biomedical science degree.
While completing studies in Advanced Neuroscience and Molecular Genetics he had the honour of rowing for Australia and competing at the European Rowing Championships, Royal Henley Regatta and World Championships.
With an extensive knowledge of neuroanatomy and physiology, he then progressed to Chiropractic. At the time, the Chiropractic degree was a very heavy 5 year program, with up to 38 hours contact hours per week and ‘summer schools' running from January to March prior to the standard University year.
On graduation he became a Doctor of Chiropractic. The use of the title ‘Doctor' for Dr. Hooper, as per the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency authority, refers to a Doctor of Chiropractic. Beyond this, Dr. Hooper has furthered his expertise in the areas of holistic health including Chinese medicine and Natural Medicine, specialising with a Masters in Acupuncture.
For the award of his Masters Degree, Dr. Warrick completed a thesis on the treatment of spinal pain and lower back disc injuries using clinical acupuncture.
Dr. Hooper was a member of the elite Australian Rowing Team and raced at World Championship level.