Van of Valor

Commentary by Dr. Kevin Wallace
Van of Valor

MIAMISBURG, OH – The familiar, sharp ache in my neck was my constant companion, a stubborn relic of years spent under the weight of body armor and the stress of service. 

It’s a feeling thousands of my brothers and sisters in arms know all too well. 

So, when I found myself lying face down on an adjustment table during the Team Fastrax and Blue Skies for Good Guys and Gals Foundation’s “Warrior Weekend to Remember, 2025,” I expected just another attempt at relief. 

What I got was a profound lesson in a national movement happening one spine at a time.

The man at the helm was Dr. Timothy P. Novelli, the Founder and President of The Patriot Project. 

A practitioner since 1985 with a resume that includes serving as a Team Physician for the Cleveland Browns and caring for Olympic athletes, Dr. Novelli approached my tense muscles with the calm expertise of a seasoned specialist. As he prepped my spine, he explained the critical mission he launched.

“So that’s why the Patriot Project was started, not only to fill the gap,” he stated, his voice firm. “We have no chiropractors in the military. We’re trying to get commissioned to be on forward operating bases because everybody who’s in the military who has to carry a 70-pound rucksack, body armor, a weapon in the stress of battle, suffers musculoskeletal injuries. And there’s nothing better for that.”

I was no different; and also had to carry heavy camera equipment. 

For Novelli, chiropractic care is about so much more than just sore muscles. It’s about the fundamental connection between the spine and the entire nervous system.

“Those same nerves go to your organs,” he explained, laying out the core philosophy that drives his work. “So if you have a low back problem, those same nerves go on innervating your pelvis which means your bladder, your kidneys… everything’s affected by misaligned vertebrae. So chiropractors usually adjust full spine because we want to prevent things and improve your overall health and quality of life.”

The genesis of The Patriot Project came after a life-changing meeting. Novelli met Sgt. 1st Class (ret.) Dana Bowman at a “Halo for Freedom” event, where he had the opportunity to provide chiropractic care to over 150 Wounded Warriors. 

Witnessing the profound need firsthand, he was compelled to act, officially founding The Patriot Project to systematize this crucial care for the heroes who needed it.

He draws a powerful parallel to his extensive background in sports medicine.

“These men and women would come to me not because they were hurting most of the time, but for performance enhancement because they knew chiropractic could help them perform, run faster, jump higher, literally,” he said, referencing his work with elite athletes. “And that’s what we do. But it can work the same for our military.”

Yet, despite the clear need and the proven benefits, the project faces a significant systemic hurdle. “But as of yet,” Novelli noted with a tone of determined resolve, “we still have zero commissioned in the military.”

From that initial inspiration, The Patriot Project has grown into a formidable network. Under Novelli’s leadership, chiropractic care is now available to our heroes through some 250 chiropractors across 17 states, a number that continues to grow as he dedicates himself to encouraging his colleagues to join “the cause.”

Then came my adjustment. Novelli, a specialist in difficult cervical disc problems, used his skilled technique. With a precise, quick thrust, there was a release, followed by a sensation I can only describe as an electric jolt of life returning to a dormant system.

“Ah! There you go,” he said calmly.

My leg kicked out involuntarily behind me. 

“What the Hell was that?” I exclaimed, half-laughing in shock.

“We just gave a shock to your spinal cord,” he explained with a smile. “Get life flowing again, brother. You know, like when the doctor hits your knee? It was involuntary.”

As I stood up, the weight on my shoulders was gone. The chronic tension in my neck had melted away. The feeling was nothing short of miraculous. “Oh my goodness. Thank you,” I managed, the words inadequate for the relief I felt.

Novelli’s parting words were a lighthearted challenge: “I expect a thank you note from you tomorrow.”

But this is the real thank you note. It’s a testament to the work of Novelli and the growing network of Patriot Project chiropractors who are quietly healing the physical and invisible wounds of service. They are filling a critical gap left by the traditional system, offering a hand up to those who have given so much.

My own spine is now testament to their mission. It’s a mission built on decades of expertise and a profound respect for service, deserving not just our thanks, but our full-throated support until the day chiropractors are a standard part of military medicine. Our heroes deserve nothing less.

To read more or to support the Van of Valor’s mission, visit www.HelpVoV.com