Dear Future Patients of Bryon Jones,

The decision to see an Oriental Medicine/Acupuncture specialist is, unfortunately, usually a last resort for many people. It certainly was for me. However, now that I have had experience with these compassionate, well-educated physicians, they will always be my first healthcare stop. Bryon Jones is primarily responsible for this.

I first came to Bryon in April of 2002 when I was 31 years old.  A combination of extreme stress while finishing my dissertation and 2.5 years of a devastatingly horrible birth-control injection, Depo-Provera, had seriously damaged my health.  I have never been a skinny, petite person, but I had always been in shape and active, enjoying activities like jazz dance and hiking.  That April I was 45 pounds overweight, my blood pressure was on the high side where normally it tended to be low, I had frequent back pain and sleeplessness, chronic fatigue that made it difficult to do more than go to work and come home everyday, and no libido whatsoever.  In addition, although I had stopped using Depo-Provera, I still was not menstruating.  I had been fighting these problems for over a year and a half with no success.  I didn't even recognize myself anymore and was becoming fearful that I might never get better.

Before coming to Bryon I had literally exhausted all "mainstream" options.  My family physician had nothing to offer and I found only limited improvement from 6 months with a doctor specializing in nutrition and applied kinesiology.  That is when a friend recommended that I see an acupuncturist.

I admit to being skeptical at first.  I read all the research I could get my hands on, concluded that the risks were negligible, and made an appointment.  At that point I felt I had nothing to lose.  My first visit with Bryon convinced me that I had made the right decision.  What other doctors had concluded from several different expensive tests, Bryon was able to deduce from talking to me for an hour and feeling my pulses.  And on top of that he was supportive, compassionate, extremely knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in knowing exactly how I felt and what I observed about my body, using all of this information in my treatment.

After one month of weekly acupuncture visits and an herbal regimen, my periods not only started again, but were more regular that they had ever been before.  In addition, my energy levels were coming back, my moods were improving, and I was sleeping through the night - something I hadn't done for three years.

Once my hormones started to recover, Bryon introduced me to the book "Healing with Whole Foods", which now is my bible of nutrition.  He showed me how to plan a diet that would specifically address any problems I was having at the moment, as well as one that would support my body in dealing with its natural excesses and deficiencies.  By the end of the second month of acupuncture treatments, combined with the new nutrition plan, I had lost 10 pounds.  And over the course of the next 6 months, I lost 40 pounds and more importantly gained back all of the energy I used to have and more.  No more back pain, no more insomnia, no more moodiness.

Through it all Bryon was unfailing supportive and an incredible source of information.  Where other doctors have little time and don't divulge much, Bryon took the time needed to really get to know me and answer all of my questions with great detail and care.  I found him so inspiring that I am starting to take classes to learn acupuncture myself!  He is what I wish all doctors could be - someone that knows you inside out and backwards, always has time to listen, really cares, and, on top of all that, knows his medicine like the back of his hand.  My only regret is that he didn't choose to stay in San Diego.  Our loss is definitely your gain.  You can surely be confident that not only have you made a good decision to seek help from an Oriental Medicine Specialist, but that you have made a great choice in coming to Bryon.

Best wishes for your health and happiness,

Carrie A. Joyce, Ph.D.

Dr. Bryon,

My sister-in-law wanted me to tell you THANK YOU. During our last visit, I told you about her problems with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc., and with that guru-like sixth sense you figured out she was on the pill. So I called her and told her what you said. I talked to her last night, and she said she went and pulled out the insert on her birth control pills, which she's been taking forever....and found ALL of the symptoms she's been dealing with. She was also blown away to realize that it triggers migraines (she's been a chronic migraine sufferer since she was a kid). After reading the insert, her regular doctor actually apologized for prescribing it to her all these years and never making the connection.

So, she's off the pill now, has fired her rheumatoid arthritis doctor (all she wants to do is prescribe her more pain meds), and is going to a naturopath and an acupuncturist (she's been seeing both of them for a
while now, but they'll be handling ALL of her care from here on out). Her neurologist is also pretty good, apparently: she took one look at the list of meds she's taking and said, "You're poisoning your body.
You need to get off of ALL of these." (She was on so many medications, especially pain meds, that they literally put her on Methadone to get her off of all of them) But up until now, nobody's made the connection about the birth control pills.

So like I said, she wanted me to thank you for her. :-)

Lori

Dr. Bryon,

In June of 2004, I began having tremendous pain in my upper abdominal area, and was unable to hold down any food.  After about two days of this, I went to the emergency room to see what was wrong and to get rehydrated.  I was given antinausea medicine as well as narcotics for the pain in my stomach.  I was released and sent home.  Within two days, I was back at the hospital and again given drugs for nausea and for pain.  I visited a gastroenterologist, who assumed I was having severe reflux and I was given prescription medication for this.  My pain and vomitting continued.  ON day 9, I went to the hospital again, and was told that I must have a virus because all of my bloodwork came back "okay".  Again I was released with prescriptions for nausea and pain.  This cycle continued for 21 days.  I was then admitted to the hospital for testing.  I underwent extensive invasive testing and was told that they basically had no idea what was wrong with me, or why I could not hold down food.  I finally checked myself out of the hospital and went home, with no real plan other than prayer.  Within 12 hours, I was in so much pain that I was begging my specialist to readmit me into the hospital.

That was when I thought about trying acupuncture.   I had no clue what acupuncture was about, or whether or not it could actually help me when all other medical routes had failed.  I was too sick to make the call myself, so my mom called and spoke with Bryon.  He encouraged us to come "right in" and saw me almost immediately.  I walked into his office hunched over a "vomit bag" and walked out a new person.

Bryon was professional and knowledgeable.  What the hospitals and traditional doctors could not do for me in 27 days, acupuncture did in one treatment.  I have not thrown up, nor had any abdominal pain, since that day in Bryon's office.

Michelle

Dr. Bryon,

Thank you so much for all you do for my family and I.  As you know, we have previously had to fly to Boston to control the swelling in my niece's eye.  With your gentle treaments and education about her condition, we have been able to control this at home.

We cannot thank you enough!

The Woolards

Dear Bryon,

I don't even know how to put into words how thankful I am to you and how much you've changed my life.  It's impossible to articulate my feelings of wonder, joy and gratefulness when I stop and think of how different my life is today compared to just a short year ago.

I entered your clinic as a cynic, but so desperate to improve my health situation and so frustrated by the lack of answers from my OB/GYN that I was willing to try anything - even acupunture, as "crazy" as that sounded to me at that time.

And when you suggested that there was a possibilty that pregnancy could result from your treatments, I seriously considered making that first visit my LAST.  Infertility had been a part of my reality for six years, and I had accepted that as my lot in life.  I didn't think you knew what you were talking about and wasn't about to get my hopes up.  But my curiosity and fascination with your approach to my health and well being "won out" - and I am SO GLAD it did!

Jack William was born on December 2, 2005, at 12:52 pm.  He weighed 5 pounds 14 ounces and was 19-1/2" long.  He's adorable and perfect in every way!

So...how do I thank someone for a miracle?  For being a major part of God's blessing on me?  I don't think I can EVER thank you enough.  You will forever hold a very special place in my heart and the hearts of all of my family.

Your Grateful Patient-

Rita

Bryon,

I wanted to let you know how thankful I am for all that you have done for me. When I came to you after my car accident it was really as a “nothing to lose” venture. I never really figured acupuncture could alleviate the hard-core pain that was keeping me from doing the most basic life activities, I was just looking for even a little relief. When you told me at my first treatment that I “should see some difference in the morning” I never imagined it would be such a HUGE difference! I could actually use my right arm for brushing my teeth without it making me cry! And the following treatments continued to help in my being able to fully heal.

Maybe the best thing out of my accident experience is that it opened me up to a new way of thinking about “medicine”, healing and my body in general. I was so thankful for what you did for my injuries, but when you were able to improve and change things that I’d been dealing with for decades I was more than a little impressed- and intrigued.

As you know I’ve dealt with fairly severe monthly menstrual issues for about 30 years, and the best “regular” doctors were ever able to do was put me on “the pill” to tone it down a tad- I should have bought stock in Advil considering how much of it I ate every month! I’m not sure that I can convey to you (you being a guy) what it’s like to NOT dread that every single month, month after month.. .year after year! For me to be able to be “pain-free” is a freedom I can’t explain, I don’t have to take it into consideration when planning activities or even just living and enjoying life- it’s so wonderful!

My treatments have been really beneficial for my overall sense of wellbeing and apparently it shows as I’ve actually had quite a few people make comments reflecting that. Needless to say, I will continue coming as needed, or when needed, to keep things continuing in the right direction. Thank you so much for everything, it’s pretty cool to have going to a doctor’s office be such a good experience. Thanks for “doing what you do!”

Sincerely,

Nancy

Hi Byron, this is Helen Carpenter's daughter from Trinidad and Pat Becker's sister. I want to tell you how thankful I am that my Mom had you as her acupuncturist. Pat told me that you went to see her in the hospital before she passed, that was so wonderful. They both really enjoyed coming to you for treatment and got marvelous results, keep up the good work and God's blessings on you and your family. I see that you have Mom's picture on you website, this is so great. Keep up the good work.

Betty Barbour

Bryon,

Wow! Where do I start? I guess i should start by saying THANK YOU. I've been dealing with fibroid tumor for about 2 years now.Oof course i didn't know what it was before I went to see you almost 3 months ago, but with just looking at my tongue you were able to tell me what was wrong with me and I've been under your care since.
Though I'm still getting treated for my condition I have to say my health 3 months ago compared to now has improved drastically. My tumor has probably shrunk about 35% just from acupuncture and herbs. Apart from the tumor, my whole being is different in a good way.
Bryon, I really am grateful and looking forward to getting my health back on track to where it should be
much blessings.

Dee, September 24th, 2006

Bryon-

I have had ongoing back pain for several years.  I had 3 years of pain management, including physical therapy, steroid injections, nerve blocks, and of course, medications.  I want you to know that your one treatment helped me more than 3 years of pain management.  It is truly amazing and I am now a believer.   It is amazing that after one treatment you produced such profound results. The quality of my life is greatly improved and others notice and comment all the time—what did you do?  Well, I sing your praises to them.  Thank you.

Julie, January 18th, 2008

Email #1 January 25th, 2008 7:35am

I ended up back in urgent care ~ my leg was so swollen... pins and needles sensation in my foot and I couldn't feel my lower leg anymore (I'd touch it and couldn't feel the sensation).

They said I had beginning stages of compartment syndrome... that if I don't get the swelling under control they'd have to "filet my leg" (their words, not mine) and that if I let it go too long I'd be at risk of losing my leg.  They also said it looks like the gash is beginning to get infected. 

They wanted me to get a tetanus shot... I declined. They wanted me to start antibiotics... I declined.  They gave me a sample and a script for antibiotics and told me if it gets any worse, I definitely need to take it.
They told me if the swelling gets worse or doesn't go down, I need to go to the ER so they can relieve the pressure by cutting it open.

As long as I have ice on it and its elevated, the swelling goes down, but within 15 minutes of getting up, it starts to swell again.

And, the gash looks bad today... definitely infected.

What can I do besides take antibiotics for the infection?  There's got to be something else.

To make matters worse, I've been using that triple antibiotic ointment on it since I hurt it... and I just realized this morning when it continued to hurt the way it has for over a week now, that I'M ALLERGIC TO THAT STUFF... I completely forgot, Bry.  When I had my achilles tendon repaired, I used that stuff and I had a horrible reaction, and I think that's why it hasn't healed yet.

Crap crap crap.  What do I do?

Email #2  January 25th, 2008  9:26am

Kelley— get in for an appointment asap

-Bryon

Email #3 January 26th, 2008 5:33am

I will NEVER EVER EVER stop being amazed at the wonders of acupuncture.

When I left work yesterday to go to your office, the gash in my leg was red and infected... if I set my leg down to walk on it or anything, it would swell up in about 15 minutes.

After I left your office yesterday I NEVER propped my leg back up... it never swelled up again.  The gash... LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.  It isn't red, it isn't infected.  It doesn't hurt anymore.  It's healing BEAUTIFULLY.  All I've done is use the tincture you made (no peroxide or iodine... just your creation) and it's coming along beautifully.  By the way... that tincture you made is sooooo soothing.  I love it.  I was so afraid that it was going to sting when I put it on, but it felt so good.  And, I remembered what it smells like... it smells a little like scotch and tequila mixed together. 

I'm not sure if you quite understand how happy I am today that my leg looks the way it does... I was honestly thinking that by Sunday it would have to be cut open because it just wasn't improving.  Again... you are awesome.  I could actually RUN on it today if I needed to, though I might give it another day or two... BUT I am going to the gym and I am going to do some biking and lifting.  Woo hoo!  I am healed!  I am healed!

I hope you have a great weekend... thanks for everything.

Kelley