Editor’s Note: We spoke with Dr. Adam Agran with Agran Chiropractic located at 1986 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice. Please call 941-408-8100 to schedule an appointment. Learn more at VeniceVAXD.com.

Dr. Agran, what is VAX-D Therapy and how does it help patients dealing with back pain?
VAX-D Therapy, or Vertebral Axial Decompression, has been helping patients since 1986. It is used to treat disc issues, arthritic changes and joint issues in the lower back by creating a negative pressure center in the disc which allows the area to heal.

What’s the basic idea behind the technology? Is there any pain?
The treatment typically doesn’t add any pain to your condition. It provides a decompressive force horizontally while gravity provides a force vertically. This creates a negative pressure center in your disc triggering your body to heal.

What’s your history using VAX-D Therapy, and do you provide other forms of chiropractic care?
I’ve been a Chiropractor for nearly 20 years and first started using VAX-D Therapy during an internship six months before graduating. I worked outside Philadelphia 2000 to 2004 with Dr. Joseph Cammarata who brought VAX-D to the U.S. from Canada.

Why are different forms of back pain so prevalent in our society and what role does stress play in aggravating back pain?
Most of us sit too long and don’t exercise enough. We also neglect to stretch our muscles. Inactivity leads to weaker back muscles. Stress is a leading cause of lower back pain. That results in even more stress causing more pain. Making the time to exercise every day helps to alleviate stress while strengthening our back and every other part of our body.

What do you enjoy most about being a chiropractor and helping patients reduce or eliminate back pain?
The smiles on my patient’s faces. Most people feeling pain aren’t in the mood to smile very much. A big smile and positive comments are helpful forms of feedback for letting me know we are making a difference with our technology and related support. Most clinicians in the area and everywhere else are motivated to help their patients feel better and enjoy each day.

What’s the latest with your family and what are some of the activities you and Gwen enjoy with your sons Stellan and Akiva?
Our boys are now five and a half and two and a half years old. They are both enjoying the process of learning many new things. Stellan is experiencing judo and wants to try basketball in January. Akiva loves visiting all the playgrounds in the area.  At home, he enjoys building monumental structures with his magnetic blocks.