By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
Dr. David Lang was born and raised in North Alabama, and graduated from Logan Chiropractic University in 2008. Immediately after graduation he started practicing in Decatur, and since then has been a sole proprietor, as well as a partner in several chiropractic practices. Earlier this past winter when the opportunity to open a beautiful new clinic in the Publix Shopping Center presented itself, he said yes. Lang Chiropractic officially opened on April 10, and had their Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony on July 27.
“We have a phenomenal team, and we couldn’t have done this without them as well as our families,” Dr. Lang said at the ribbon cutting. His wife Heather is the office manager and does the accounting, Kristie Townsend is the Chiropractic Tech, and Becky Mitchell is the front desk receptionist.
After Dr. Lang got out of school, he became familiar with a technique that was considerably more successful in correcting unwanted curves than what was being offered with standard chiropractic care, and it was not being taught in chiropractic school. “I learned that the restoration of normal curves was in fact possible,” he said, and no other practitioner in our area offers it. As a post-doctorate student, David trained for two years under Dr. Mark Barry, D.C., who was in Birmingham, AL, and is now with the Clear Institute.
Dr. Lang found that his “special chiropractic passion” was to fix the back problem known as scoliosis, the condition of the spine that looks like an S-curve rather than straight with a few appropriate curves. In addition to the sideways curve, new imaging technology has helped uncover the fact that with scoliosis, it is common to have the spine also be twisted. Dr. Lang told me that interestingly, “Scoliosis begins in the brain, and causes the spine to twist at its weakest point. It is also tied to hormonal changes, which is why scoliosis is more common in females, and often starts at the onset of puberty.” Curve correction can take care of both conditions.
The idea of “the normal restoration of curves” through this new technique caused my ears to perk up, as I managed to completely reverse the curve of my neck when I was three years old from falling off a log bridge and breaking my collar bone. My own curve reversal is so great that it looks like my neck is sitting at the top of my spine facing backwards, and while I am not in pain, it causes my shoulder muscles to be continually pulled up and tight. Due to my age, it is entirely possible that there has been too much “settling” of the injury, but Dr. Lang is going to take a state-of-the-art, multi-faceted look at it, and give me a realistic idea of what can be done. He showed me sample x-ray pictures of before and after treatment, and I was highly impressed as well as encouraged. Of course, if this technology and treatment option had existed when I was three, there would be no question that the problem could have been completely alleviated.
Speaking of children, one of the things that is causing Dr. Lang great concern is the number of kids whose necks look like mine from continually looking at the screen of their cell phones or tablets. Because they are not outside playing and moving their whole body (including their spine/neck) around, but rather are holding it in place at a downward angle sometimes for hours at a time, they are causing themselves harm in more ways than one. “We can correct it,” Dr. Lang told me, and added, “but this is something we haven’t seen before.”
As illustrated by the photo, one of the most powerful correction tools is the wall-mounted cervical traction unit, which is utilized under careful supervision at the clinic. The patient places their neck in the unit and does repetitive traction exercises, with around 80% of their weight being supported by their thighs and 20% on their necks. Some protocols call for longer single actions, and some with more repetitions, depending on the need. Each patient’s therapeutic routine is custom designed and monitored in-house.
Dr. Lang has trained additionally with the Pettibon Institute as well as the Clear Scoliosis Institute. Pettibon produces the wall-mounted traction devices described above and shown in the photo, and Clear Scoliosis Institute specializes in treating scoliosis. That protocol uses a phased approach which Clear calls, “mix, fix, and set.” Briefly described, the first phase is designed to get the body ready to be treated, and includes warm-up exercises, some massage, as well as other therapies to help the spine and the rest of the body to relax. “Fix” refers to the actual adjustment, which utilizes precision instruments, and “Set” is the system of therapies designed to keep the “fix” in place. “Set” also includes neuro-exercises which help teach the brain to tell the spine and the rest of the body how to keep in place the new, desired and more natural position.
Dr. Lang also understands the role of nutrition, vitamin D therapy, and essential oils in building your total health, and he and his staff are waiting and willing to help you or your child get “straightened out.” Call today for an appointment!
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
