by

Dr Christian Farthing. Chiropractor from Canterbury Kent.

When asked to write about myself, it was a little awkward. At first you want to simply write about everything, then you find yourself thinking “should I share this with everyone?” or what if someone uses this information to create a false identity?

In today’s age where we are surrounded by crazy weather, crazy economy, sadly we are also surrounded by a few crazy people. Either way, I felt that having a website where people could learn a little more about me would only be a good thing because I am a people based person, hence why the reason I initially went on to university was to study people in general and how to help them could become healthier and have a better quality of life as healthy as possible.

At the fine age of just 12, I knew what I wanted. In fact, I knew that I wanted to become a Chiropractor

I had seen Chiropractors help people overcome what seemed like permanent health problems, in my home town. I recall standing up in infants school when 5 years of age, everyone else having stood up previously stating that they wanted to become a nurse, doctor, fireman, and I stood up saying I wanted to become a chiropractor. Everyone else having stood up previously stating that they wanted to become a nurse, doctor, fireman, that was over 35 years ago now, but I still remember it as clear as day. None of my class mates knew what I was talking about but my teacher did because she thought her chiropractor was a miracle man. She and her family were part of the local Athletics Club and went to go regularly to a Chiropractor to keep themselves in, who, as she put it, kept them in “tip-top good shape”.

At 12 years of age, I asked my parents if I could go away to boarding school. I saw my siblings friends introduced to subjects that weren’t available at the Local Schools; they seemed to have a lot more opportunities than those who stayed at the Local Schools was no other reason than this: I felt that if I stayed in Tumut I would never leave it. I would end up working there and that would be it. I also I did have a goal had goals, I and wanted to become a chiropractor and I felt I had more chance of achieving the high results I required for University attending one of these boarding schools than I would if I had stayed at home trying to study with brothers and sisters always interrupting and I felt that the local school would not be supportive enough to help me get the grades I needed.

My mother Requested information from three schools well recommended in the area I had interviews and one school Canberra Grammar School in Canberra Australia requested participation in an entrance examination

This was a challenge and appealed to me, I really felt I had achieved something when I was accepted There had been a few hundred boys sitting the same examination with me patiently waded through forms and applied for me to go and visit the top schools in the country. I was accepted for entrance exams and to this very day, I still remember every one of the schools as if I was there right now. Anxious and feeling like I was shooting way above my skills and IQ, but I did it, sitting in a hall with 400 other kids (with everything crossed!) and to do the very best I could to make the grade and be accepted into Canberra Grammar School.

I got in!

The day I moved into the Boarding House,Blaxland House” at Canberra Grammar School was a turning point in my life. I had never lived away from home before In my cubicle were three beds and desks. shared with a Gundagai boy and another boy who lived on the outskirts of my home town. I hadn’t known them previously. I remember moving into the boarding house and the other kids who lived in our cubicle. One from Gundagai, one from just outside Tumut and another from Wagga Wagga. I knew no-one and it was the first day of the rest of my life.

Canberra Grammar School was, and still is, a great School, School was great, I achieved a lot of great things from academic achievement to sporting leadership awards. I met so many people who changed my life for the better. I quickly learnt how big the world was and where I fitted in it, what I needed to do to achieve my goal and appreciating everyone who helped me along the way.

I remember exactly where I was when my Higher School Certificate was delivered. The most important thing then was, not getting a higher score than anyone else (although it was nice), but to get enough points to get into the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, where the leading Chiropractic School in Australia was located. I had met other chiropractors who had graduated there and it was my dream to get accepted so I could start on my journey to finally help people.

I got in!

With 5 years of intense study and literally working my socks off, I bagged many distinctions and high distinctions to graduate with the prestigious awards for Graduate of the Year and Clinical Sciences Award. Whilst most people say university was the best years of their life, it wasn’t for me because I had to work hard, and I mean really hard. I had to pay my own way through university and whilst my Dad set some rewards for my grades (£50 for every distinction!), I also had to make sure I mastered everything to become the best chiropractor I knew.

I stay in touch with many of my mates from uni, but if not in contact, regularly recall the great times we did have. From the dissection lab afternoons to seminars we use to attend. Other times included attending a special invitation breakfast club for elite students who had strong chiropractic philosophy. We travelled all the way into Melbourne City Centre and met with chiropractors who would share their successes and mastermind what needed to be done to help more people and take chiropractic to the masses.

Whilst sitting and writing this I recall the final week of exams before graduation. I studied 24-7 and was also booking up locum work. I didn’t want to go straight into one location and work, I wanted to learn from others about the best way to take care of patients. University provided us the foundation of knowledge and working with some of the best chiropractors in Australia provided me the insights I needed to create a practice of my dreams.

Nearly five years of locum work and saving hard, I was given the opportunity to travel to the UK and do one more locum before settling down. I was head hunted to work at Hope Chiropractic in Canterbury in 2000, now better known as Hope Spinal Wellness. Veronica Hope wanted to have a family and was pregnant. I had worked along side her previously and was happy to help her out. In fact, I helped deliver her first child Ethan and what a magical moment it was. I still recall Scott holding onto the Gas and Air, getting high whilst Veronica was working hard to push! Hope Spinal Wellness was a turning point in my life as I soon learned who I could trust and how important my friends were.

When I moved to the UK there was no legislation for chiropractic and soon after the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) became the regulator of all chiropractors. So I applied for registration and attended an interview. This again was a day I will never forget. It was worse than any exam or experience in my life. They asked questions that had nothing to do with chiropractic. In fact, I had a migraine on the day and recall Linda Stone offering me pain killers. What? The chiropractor on the panel never offered me an adjustment!

It was a bench mark that concerned me but also highlighted the path the General Chiropractic Council was taking with the chiropractic profession in the UK.

2000-2010 were probably the greatest years of my life because they moved me forward and helped me become the person I am today. Being ripped off, cheated on and then losing my registration as a chiropractor.

Today, I find myself blessed to be working within the BodyWell Group in Blean, just outside Canterbury with some of the finest chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists in Kent. The staff I work with are highly committed to serving our community and our ever-growing practice membership drives me every day to help more people.

The BodyWell Group was initially founded in 2003, but was functioning as the Ideal Spine Centre. We wanted to form a larger organization but didn’t know how, who or why. But in 2011, we had the inspiration we had been longing for and the BodyWell Group Headquarters was born.

Our purpose is to educate and adjust as many families as possible through modern natural chiropractic care. Whilst I am no longer a registered chiropractor with the GCC, my calling is to help people the best way I know how. The principles of Chiropractic run deep within me. In fact, I feel that I didn’t choose chiropractic, but chiropractic chose me.

Chiropractic was the love of my life until I met my soul mate. She has changed my life and has provided me with the most precious thing in my world, my son Oscar. He is a constant reminder of how precious life is and to never take things too seriously. I know they are my best friends and bring balance into my life.

In fact, having children has probably given me even greater drive to help make society a better place because I want the next generation to live well. I want my children to live in a society that is well, not sick. That is why I do what I do. I want more people to experience abundant health, vitality and wellness.

Einstein said “A life lived in the service of others is worth living”. So true.

Every day I walk into BodyWell I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and helping every person who chooses to consult me. At the end of my day I go home exhausted and thankful knowing that I have done everything possible to make the world healthier.

Today, I am grateful, but never satisfied.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to help people, but I am always looking to help more people. I am never satisfied because I know I can do more. Most people would look at me as a workaholic, but I would say that I am addicted to health and always strive to do more, to create more and ultimately, leave more. To leave the world a better place than when I entered it, is all I can do.

If you have read this and feel that you would like help with your help, get in touch and I will find you a Chiropractor in your area. Or call me at out BodyWell Headquarters on 01227 789977 and I would be more than happy to speak with you.