The "Check Engine Light" A Case of 3 Mechanics

The check engine light came on in my car. I pondered what to do and where to take it. So here's what I did. 

I took the car to a mechanic. He said that over the course of evolution the check engine light came about, there is no mechanical reason for having one, it has no function, and he recommended taking it out.

I decided on a second opinion. I took the car to another mechanic. He specialized in fuels. He said fuel specialists weren't sure why check engine lights come on, but he had several liquids, and other additives that he wanted me to use on a daily basis. He said that they would make the light dim enough so I would not notice it when it was trying to tell me something.

I decided on a third opinion. This mechanic said my car was intelligently designed and that all things were put there for a specific purpose. The check engine light meant something was wrong. He decided to look for the problem that was actually causing the light to come on, and address it from the source instead of "taking it out" or "treating with other liquids and potions". What he found was a simple electrical short that was easily fixed, and with minor regular maintenance it should run perfectly as it was designed to do.

All too often people are looking for solutions that come from pills, potions, and chemicals or even worse surgery without addressing the root of the problem. There are times when all of the above is needed, but none should be the first line of defense. Don't just cover up the symptoms or have the problem removed, get an accurate diagnosis from someone who understands this and has been trained to look at things from this perspective.

Times and healthcare are changing. As we evolve and get better educated, we are (re-) discovering that there is a balance in all things and cutting things out, or masking the symptoms is in most cases not the best answer as it was thought years ago. Chiropractors are being included in the FRONT line treatment at VA hospitals, on EVERY major sports team, placed on Hospital staff, and some insurance carriers are mandating that Chiropractic and physiotherapy be tried FIRST before back surgery is performed. If you or someone you love has an "engine light" going off, I urge you to seek Chiropractic care first and have the problem properly diagnosed.

At MAGNA Chiropractic Dr. Hawley and Dr. Rogers do full physical evaluations and help educate the patient on what/where their problem is coming from. They offer many forms of treatment and in many cases work in conjunction with your Medical Doctor.

6 Unexpected Culprits of Back Pain, Coming in at #1 is...

Culprit No. 1: Your fancy office chair

Even an expensive, ergonomic chair can be bad for your back if you sit in it all day without a break. Sitting not only lessens blood flow to the discs that cushion your spine (wearing them out and stressing your back), but it puts 30 percent more pressure on the spine than standing or walking, says New York City chiropractor Todd Sinett, author of The Truth About Back Pain.

Be sure to stretch at your desk and get up every hour to walk around. Don’t assume that built-in lumbar support makes your chair back-friendly - in fact, for many people, lumbar supports don’t make a bit of difference, especially if they aren’t positioned properly (at the base of your spine), says Heidi Prather, a physical-medicine and rehabilitation specialist and associate professor of orthopedic surgery and neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

No matter what type of chair you sit in, make sure your head is straight (not tilted down) when you’re typing or reading. Avoid slouching and adjust your seat so it tilts back slightly to help alleviate some of the load on your back, Sinett says. And keep your feet planted firmly on the floor.

All information can be found here.

6 Unexpected Culprits of Back Pain, Coming in at #2 is...

Culprit No. 2: The wrong shoes

When you strut in stilettos, your foot strikes the ground in a toe-forward motion rather than the normal heel-toe gait, stressing your knees, hips, and back, Sinett explains. "Wearing heels also alters the angle of your body so your weight isn’t evenly distributed over the spine," he says. This instability can set you up for pain and injury radiating from your knees all the way to your back.

Another shoe no-no: the backless kind (even flats and flip-flops), which allow your heel to slide around. Again, the lack of stability distributes your body weight unevenly, putting more pressure on your spine. Your shoe should firmly hold your foot in place to keep you stable and protect your back, says Sinett, who also advises sticking to heels that are less than three inches high.

6 Unexpected Culprits of Back Pain, Coming in at #3 is...

Culprit No. 3: Your beloved smartphone or tablet

Mobile technology has not been kind to our backs and necks, Prather says. "We’re hovering over laptops, iPads, and smartphones all the time," she notes. "This head-down position strains the muscles in the neck, and the pain can extend all the way down your spine to your lower back." Take frequent breaks, and try to look straight ahead - rather than down - while using a laptop, tablet, or phone. You can buy a stand to help hold your laptop or tablet at a more back-friendly height and angle.

A diagram of text neck strain:

6 Unexpected Culprits of Back Pain, Coming in at #4 is...

Culprit No. 4: Extra pounds

Carrying even just a few extra inches around your midsection - whether it’s due to belly fat or pregnancy - makes your pelvis tilt forward and out of alignment, as your body works to keep itself balanced. This can cause excessive strain on your lower back, Dr. Akuthota says. He recommends doing this easy stretch several times daily: Tighten your abs (like you’re bracing for a punch in the stomach) to activate core muscles and take a load off the lumbar discs; hold 10 seconds, then release. (Pregnant? Check with your doctor before doing any exercise.)

And if weight gain is your problem, consider making whole grains an essential part of your slim-down plan: A new study from Tufts University found that those who ate three or more servings of whole grains a day had 10 percent less abdominal fat compared with those who ate essentially no whole grains.

Top 6 Unexpected Culprits of Back Pain, Coming in at #5 is...

Culprit No. 5: The wrong bra

Large-breasted women obviously carry significantly more weight in front than those who have smaller breasts. This can lead to hunching and sore neck and back muscles, Sinett says. A bra that offers proper support can actually minimize that forward hunch and relieve pain, while one that doesn’t may exacerbate the problem, as you hunch or strain even more to compensate for uncomfortable straps or a band that rides up.

Research shows that many women wear the wrong size bra, but the right fit can mean the difference between sagging and supported; get fitted by a bra professional. Prather says you may want to try a T-back (a.k.a. racer-back) style. "It gives the body a cue to pull the shoulders back," she says.