Chiropractic Relief Efforts
by Dr. Anthony Piana
A tragic time for America. One that will never be forgotten. A time where America came together. A time where Chiropractic and Medical Teams were working together. Dr. Anthony Piana dedicated three weeks in an effort to do his part. He was featured in the “American Chiropractor” where he appeared on the cover for his work. He spent 16-hour days in St. Paul’s Church adjusting over 500 relief workers each day.
“It is better to light one candle than curse the darkness.”
— B.J. Palmer
My Ground Zero Chiropractic Experience
The day began at 4:00 AM when the train from New Haven departed to Central Station. The usual stops and passenger pickups were routine and uneventful. Unlike normal weekdays, however, I had an increased feeling of anxiety as the train sped forward through forests and farmlands into the terminal at Grand Central Station. Reaching the subway, the mood seemed as routine as usual. But upon arrival in the financial district of the world, the mood changed dramatically. It was here that I noticed the wariness of people progressively with each stop. In retrospect, the trauma of the day was still on the faces of everyone.
The subway stop off Fulton Street was only a short walk to where my destination lay. The buzz of the city, burning plastics, big construction equipment, and the lazy mist of hazy smoke-filled corridors left one with a surreal impression of a war zone. The main street allowed civilian traffic, but as I walked down the side street that the public is allowed to walk down, I knew it was too early. I had come too near to ground zero and hence the restricted zone.To my astonishment I could see enough of the ruins and fire torn buildings that I knew it would be a day I would never forget. It had registered. I had the eerie feeling it would. It was now time to meet my escort at the predetermined place at Wall Street. My ID was shown, and the lazy post separating the church parish from the war zone city. We walked across the street into the gates of St. Paul’s Church.
I entered the church gates and stood, which reminded me of some old war movie. As I entered the gates of St. Paul’s Church, it reminded me of an old movie set for a positive environment. Inside of the church, the first thing that struck me was faith was no longer only a church, but a supply depot. It housed thousands of boxes of supplies ranging from hand cream and tooth paste to food and clothing. The hot meals served as chiropractic and podiatry post each day. The New York Podiatry School and the Connecticut Chiropractic Council manned these posts 24 hours per day and seven days per week.
Looking around the church and pews it was an awesome sight to see the tens of thousands of cards that children from all over the country have sent to the church.
I read cards from Vermont, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Kansas, and many other states, which all bore the emotions of children who are seriously torn emotionally from the September 11th tragedy. Just one of these cards with such words of emotion made you humble. I found it very hard just reading these cards without breaking down immediately. Upon duty, I soon realized that it would be an emotional effort that would never end.
As my shift began, I fell to hear his desperation, and people crying out for comfort. A police officer sat down after his 12 hour shift. I spent nearly every minute tending the neck of a police officer. He sat and prayed. For every police officer, firefighter, secret service, iron workers, national guardsman, they would go on duty, back out to ground zero.
As I walked by, one detective was so thankful for what I had done that he just found it easy to hug me. One group of military guards clapped for me as I walked out. One detective. There is no doubt that the restricted area of ground zero was a war zone.
In the center of the area, right where the Twin Towers once stood, was the burnt iron and marble piled against them, which looked similar to an old battlefield with skeletal remains of the frame. There were many cranes pulling pieces off and putting them into dump trucks. The detective pointed out the stairwell where they just found several bodies the day prior. He told me that they were found with charred bodies and cell phones melted in their hands. One policeman was found with his gun still strapped, which was completely discharged, which he was caught on to his original distress and his final trump completely silenced in his head. He showed me where pieces of the building were laying on the ground on its side. I saw a building split in two from falling pieces of the tower. This was a true military war zone with army barracks set up with power, window, and wood supplies. If I was told I was in war-torn Berlin during WWII I would have believed it.”
At the same time while these workers were living in what they called hell, we were making it as comforting for them as we could back at the church. A noon service was given where the minister told people it was okay to join in or simply rest. Many people lined up for this purpose of relaxation from these patients as an unexplainable power filled their bodies. Many told me later that day that they left the church with a new sense of power to go on with their work. The President did visit but I did not get to see him, but I am sure that that church was more inspiring for those people than the President himself.
I tip my hat, the people organizing this volunteer effort and the effect they have had on so many lives during such a time.
Dr. Anthony Piana adjusted 500 or more people that day in great need of his care. This is a testimony for the availability of Chiropractic care in the military and its need in wartime. This is evidence enough. All we need to do is ask the thousands of relief workers who received care.
Interview: The American Chiropractor
– Chiropractic During the September 11th Tragedy
Anthony S. Piana, D.C.
Anthony Piana, DC was called to the “All-Nighter” shift at Ground Zero on Wednesday, October 3, 2001, nearly one month following the September 11th tragedy. He was to be one of many relief treatment centers for victims, volunteers, NYC officials, and anyone involved in the business of searching for survivors and clearing away the wreckage which was all that remained of the twin towers.
In an interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC), Dr. Anthony S. Piana (ASP) answers TAC’s questions concerning the impact on the chiropractic profession of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks.
TAC: Dr. Piana, do you have any specific observations for the profession stemming from your time at Ground Zero?
ASP: There has never been a more working environment for chiropractors. I have encouraged resistance to the profession of public affairs. This experience has led to a complete acceptance of our services. We needed more than the medical area at the Red Cross tent. People sought us out. People would line up on the pews of St. Paul’s Church to Midtown—even set up in the spirit of NYC chiropractors staffing 24 hours per day to accommodate the great need for our services. I am certain, based on various observations with military personnel, that you see the need for chiropractors in the military, during both peace and wartime.
TAC: The WTC crisis seems to be bridging many gaps among people, racial, professional, etc. Did you note any changes in your profession during this relief care and the usual chiropractic differences?
ASP: In the healthcare area of the church, I noticed an emotional and psychological impact. At first this looked minimal. By the end, it looked as if people who thought chiropractic care was only physical therapy, now respected it as healing of the mind, body and spirit. The people were holding hands. One chiropractic doctor in fact said, “I had this look several times.” Another was open, and a team of people on our way made a great effort, agreeing with the big fact in our nation.
TAC: What were your most vivid impressions concerning the spirit of cooperation and sense of effort?
ASP: People helping people, and this brought a small town spirit. The September 11th disaster has brought small town spirit back to New York City. Chiropractors, staff, volunteers, and the need for chiropractic services has brought an incredible impression of the time. All the donated boxes of supplies, food, and love from people across the country helped. Hopefully, though, we will never need to see an effort like this again.
TAC: Any final comments for our readers?
ASP: I want to emphasize that there has been an incredible strength from many chiropractors throughout the country. This has been one of those heroic steps for the chiropractic profession, as a whole, as one of those heroic steps, and we will be remembered.
After this shift in NYC, Dr. Piana volunteered for three more weeks at St. Paul’s Church.
Dr. Anthony Piana graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA in 1991 and practices in CT [Currently in Homer, AK]