Caroline Hooper. Chartered Physiotherapist

18/03/2026

Can you get off the floor?
This may sound easy but over time it can become a struggle so it’s important to practice

We have started to practice this in my Monday morning class & will make it a regular feature

These physios show 2 methods of getting on & off the floor

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12/03/2026

This nicely summarises the essence of my fitness classes - fitness throughout our life depends on many components, not just the “latest trend”. No fancy equipment is needed just repetition and progression with a friendly group atmosphere for support.

As we age, we often focus on maintaining muscle strength but there’s another layer that declines even faster: power, balance, and coordination. These are controlled by the neuromuscular system, the complex network that allows your brain and nerves to communicate seamlessly with your muscles. Think of it as the software behind the hardware of your body. Even if your muscles are strong, if your nervous system struggles to send or coordinate signals, simple movements like stepping off a curb, turning quickly, or reaching for something on a high shelf can become risky.

The good news? These skills aren’t fixed. Training that challenges balance, agility, reaction time, and coordination strengthen the connections between your brain and muscles. Over time, this helps you move more confidently, reduce falls, and maintain independence. Small, consistent practice like controlled stepping exercises, light agility drills, or even daily intentional movement, compounds into a safer, stronger, and more capable body. Aging doesn’t have to mean losing control; it means learning to preserve and refine the communication that keeps every movement precise and reliable.

11/03/2026

This study by Bournemouth University highlights the importance of of having fun & the social element of group exercise. Dancing is a great way to move and socialise without overthinking. It’s natural and doesn’t require fancy equipment too

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg30w883kno?at_link_type=web_link&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_medium=social&at_format=image&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_link_id=864D01C8-1D1B-11F1-B74C-D5FE4EA6B202&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBC_Dorset&at_campaign=Social_Flow&fbclid=IwdGRjcAQeecxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehVuK9_143JmjM43ZPkLu6-cb7CK5u6dc29mPgkk3YFKzGtwFmwC2f_3bOjs_aem_ugjhWg1I6MzHIA8Ldf7SfA

Bournemouth researchers looked to see if dancing could improve the condition.

08/03/2026

Today is International Women’s Day.

Over 70% of people suffering with Chronic Pain are women. Women are often diagnosed much later than men and struggle to be heard or get the multidimensional care and support they need.

I would like to acknowledge, empathise and give an International hug to everyone with chronic pain, recognising the extra struggle we women have.

I am one of the many, and also am a healthcare professional. I hope that my living experience helps me listen, understand and support in an informed & compassionate way.

More information on the disparities we women have with chronic pain experience, diagnosis and support can also be found here : https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/women-and-pain-disparities-in-experience-and-treatment-2017100912562

Chronic pain has a way of humbling even the most experienced clinicians. For many, it becomes time-consuming and exhausting — a crash course in self-advocacy, compassion, and open-mindedness.

Medscape Medical News spoke with doctors who have experienced chronic pain about what pain care often gets wrong and how becoming a pain patient has fundamentally changed the way they practice medicine: https://mdsc.pe/4aTN2gA

02/03/2026

An important message for us all -we start losing muscle at just 30!
The good news is that we can maintain and even build muscle at any age without a gym or fancy equipment through progressively loading our muscles just 2-3 times a week

We focus on how to do this in my weekly fitness classes.

Strength training rarely gets the credit it deserves. Many still see it as something for athletes or young people chasing aesthetics. But the science tells a different story. Regular resistance training is linked to a lower risk of death from all causes including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes even when done in small, consistent amounts. That should stop you for a moment.

After 50, muscle loss accelerates. Strength declines. Balance weakens. Blood sugar becomes harder to regulate. What feels like “just aging” is often preventable deconditioning. Muscle functions like a protective organ improving insulin sensitivity, supporting bone density, reducing inflammation, and helping you react quickly enough to prevent a fall. When muscle shrinks, vulnerability grows.

And yet many older adults walk daily but never lift. They stay active but avoid resistance. They stretch but don’t challenge strength. A few sets of chair squats. Carrying groceries with intention. Resistance bands at home. Two to three sessions a week can shift long-term health outcomes dramatically.

No extreme routines required. No gym obsession necessary. Just progressive load and consistency.

Strength built today becomes independence protected tomorrow. The ability to rise from the floor. To climb stairs without fear. To travel. To carry a grandchild. To remain steady when life moves suddenly.
Muscle is not decoration. It is protection.

If more people understood that, aging would look very different.

23/02/2026

This week in my exercise classes we are focussing on balance.

Our balance and strength reduce from the age of just 30. If we don’t practice we can lose up to a second a year from the age of 50, which increases our risk of falling as we get older.

There are many factors that affect our balance - our strength, vision, inner ear, how tired we feel, distractions etc. All need to be considered, and much can be helped with appropriate exercise.

How improving balance now can help protect mobility, confidence and independence later

19/02/2026

Many people struggle with shoulder pain at times, it is almost as common as back pain.

This interesting study mirrors studies of spine MRIs. In people over the age of 40: 96% of painfree shoulders showed rotator cuff tears, compared to 98% of painful shoulders. That sounds scary, but the big takeaway message is that “tears” are actually comparable to grey hair- they are part of our normal aging process.

In my experience they normally are associated with pain for 3 reasons.
1. Trauma such as a fall
2. Repetitive overhead activity - associated with certain occupations or sports.
3. Underuse causing weakness, an unusual or increased movement or activity causes inflammation and pain (the most common reason)

Normally initial relative rest, followed by a graded strengthening and activity programme will settle the symptoms down. Then you need to maintain the movement and strength for the long term

16/02/2026

We lose power faster than strength after the age of just 30. This is more profound for women especially after peri/ menopause.

We help demystify the complexities of factors such as strength, power, balance etc, how to exercise if we have pain, and how to get optimal fitness for us according to our individual capacity and goals in my weekly classes. Last week we worked specifically on power. This week we shall focus on flexibility and mobility.

You can find more information on my website https://www.caroline-hooper-physiotherapist.uk/services-1

16/02/2026

I’ve had a few enquiries about my classes. They are suitable for all ages & abilities. Please check out my website/ pop me a message if you would like more information/ a chat about trying a class either in Verwood or via zoom

I am a HCPC Registered Chartered Physiotherapist with over 25 years of musculoskeletal experience within the NHS. My key areas are with the Management of Spinal Pain, and Long-term Painful Musculoskeletal Conditions for Adults. I am also a person living with persistant pain and fatigue, with a recent diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

I advocate supporting active self-management for health & wellbeing. I have recently completed PCI accredited Health Coach training, and ahieved EQA Foundation Level Coaching accreditation.

I qualified as a Physiotherapist at Kings College London in 1986. I have a broad range of experience working in Acute Hospitals, Community outpatient clinics and GP Practices. I worked in London until 2000. I then spent 3 years Lecturing in Physiotherapy. At this time I also achieved my Masters Degree in Pain Management. I then started a family and moved to Gloucestershire where I worked clinically and as Team Lead for NHS Musculoskeletal Community Outpatient Physiotherapy Services, and subsequently as Clinical Lead for Musculoskeletal Advanced Practitioner Services.

I now work as a Physiotherapist for a Charitable Health Provider in Bournemouth, and for PhysioFast Online. I am also running Back Fitness Classes where I live in Verwood Dorset.

15/02/2026

I know a few of you struggle with similar problems… you SHALL NOT EXERCISE 😼❌

That’s me done then 🤣

I’d love to hear about how your pets help you keep active, or in some cases hijak your exercise plans

12/02/2026

This morning I did a good hour’s cardio workout digging and clearing the ditch on our lane 🪏 My heat rate was nicely elevated (with the odd pause to chat with a passer by), and I was hot & pretty tired by the end. My fitness app however, failed to count this as exercise!

Remember all physical activity is a good thing. The most natural way to keep fit and strong doesn’t need to involve the gym or formal exercise.

How do you keep yourself fit the natural way?

02/02/2026

‘The best movement is the next movement’

There is some really good advice in this article. Rarely is back pain due to one single movement, the same applies to it’s prevention and management

🔗 via bio on my page