The Warning Light on Your Car Is a Bit Like Pain in Your Body

I had a patient come in last week who had to take their car to the garage as the engine warning light was on. Thankfully it was a simple loss connection and the issue was resolved quickly and fairly cheaply. There was the very real possibility that it could have been something more serious. If a warning light starts flashing we all take action quickly, right?! Who wants the issue to get worse risking more costly failure, being without a car for a few weeks and big bills, or worse having to get a new car?

The warning light on your car is a bit like pain in your body. Pain is your body’s way of communicating to you that something is not right. Sometimes the pain is very obvious, we cut our finger or go to the gym for the first time in months. We are familiar with it and know that our body will heal quickly and the pain will go in a short period of time.

But sometimes the pain keeps coming back or doesn’t go in the first place. There is a quick fix most people try – painkillers. Like putting a sticker of the warning light, you can’t see the issue or flashing light and you can get on with life/driving.

The problem is it comes back, and so you try the same approach again. The bizarre thing about a lot of people is, when the light starts flashing on their car they take action – they pay the bills to keep their car running. However, when it comes to pain in their body they just switch off the alarm and ignore it.

There is, of course, a big difference between us and a car. Cars don’t have the ability to self-heal. Our bodies are incredibly good as self-healing and self-regulating. But, sometimes there is something stopping your body from healing. And it’s for that reason you should get it checked by a professional.

The other big difference between us and a car is, although cars are expensive, they are completely replaceable – worst comes to worst you can just get another. Unfortunately the same isn’t true of the human body.

So, don’t ignore those flashing lights of pain, especially if they keep coming back. Speak to a professional. In my opinion, a Chiropractor is a great place to start.