A FARMER from County Durham has made a successful career change from working on the land to treating patients as a chiropractor.

Chris Graham was born and grew up on Lane Ends Farm in Manfield and attended Hurworth House and Barnard Castle Schools. His main interest lay, however, with his horses and dogs and he used to compete in horse events and established the Aske Hall Horse Trials.

He also developed a love for travel and, once the harvest had been gathered, he would visit countries such as South Africa.

"I used to go back-packing and emigrated to Australia, but I came back when I was 18 for my sister's 21st birthday," said Mr Graham. "My sister had taken a horse to Badminton, where it suffered an injury and looked as if it would never be ridden again, but after treatment by a chiropractor it was able to compete again.

"I farmed livestock, sheep and arable, and I also used to grow vegetables. However, all the sheep were taken out by foot-and-mouth. In 2000, I decided I needed a change as farming was so depressing.

"It was through my interest in adjusting horses that led me to train as a chiropractor."

Mr Graham completed an away-learning entry course and then trained for four years at the McTimoney College of Chiropractic, University of Wales. He then completed a practical year in a clinic and graduated in January.

"It was a bit of a shock going back to university and getting a degree, aged 52," he said. "The course was very hard and a steep learning curve. At times it was very traumatic. I thought it would get easier each year but it never did.

"Both my parents died while I was away and it was hard keeping it all together.

"I did consider further training in the treatment of animals but, after four years of academia, I decided not to do the course."

Mr Graham is registered with the General Chiropractic Council and a member of the United Chiropractic Association.

At the beginning of this month he set up a treatment room at Blacketts Medical Practice, in Bondgate, Darlington, every Friday.

He is also hoping to hire an extra room at the town's new walk-in centre, Dr Piper House.

Mr Graham said: "I can treat all sorts of people and problems. I have already started to treat some patients.

"Conditions that can benefit from treatment include back, neck and shoulder pain, discomfort and stiffness in joints and bones, migraine, muscular aches and pains, sciatica, whiplash injury and sports injuries.

"Chiropractic is the straightforward method of adjusting the bones of your body to maintain the correct alignment of your spine and to ensure that your body's nerve supply works efficiently.

"Through these subtle adjustments, chiropractic treatment can relieve pain and discomfort, increase mobility and provide a route to better health.

"I put energy into the body and allow it to adjust itself. I do spine and posture checks and then give the patient a diagnosis. It is then up to them if they want to be treated."

The first consultation takes between an hour to an hour and a half, which is then followed by 20-minute consultations.

Mr Graham said: "I still run the farm through a contractor, but it is mainly arable now. I really enjoy my new profession.

"Being a chiropractor is a very different job from the farming lifestyle and working with animals and the land. I enjoy mixing with people again.

"I find it very interesting finding out what is wrong with people and what is the best way to treat them. Most people find it benefits them greatly."

For more information, call Mr Graham on 07915 610500.