Just months ago, Ryan Wittenauer believed he would spend the rest of his life limping.
Every step was a struggle. His right leg dragged behind him; his mobility continued to decline, and no one could explain why.
Ryan, a 46-year-old farmer, first injured his knee after tearing his meniscus while climbing into a grain bin.
He did everything he was told.
Physical therapy.
Prescription pain medication.
Time to heal.
But nothing worked.
Then things became much worse.
One day while sitting in his tractor, Ryan went to press the clutch and brake and suddenly lost all feeling in both of his legs.
He was completely numb from the waist down.
During his initial visit with The Institute of Natural Health, he could barely lift his legs to step onto the scale.
He was shivering uncontrollably one moment, sweating the next, and experiencing symptoms that left both him and his doctors searching for answers.
Conventional Answers Weren’t Enough
Before coming to The Institute of Natural Health, Ryan had seen several physicians.
At one point, the possibility of a neurodegenerative disease including conditions like ALS had been discussed.
But Dr. TJ wasn’t convinced the pieces fit together.
Instead of focusing solely on the diagnosis, he started asking questions that no one else had asked.
Did Ryan have well water?
What environmental exposures had he experienced?
Had he ever been bitten by a tick?
Those questions changed the direction of his care.
Looking Deeper Uncovered the Root Cause
As Ryan thought through his history, he remembered multiple tick bites over the years.
Dr. TJ ordered comprehensive testing, including specialized testing for Lyme disease.
The results revealed something significant.
Ryan tested positive for two different strains of Lyme disease.
One strain was linked to a tick bite he believes occurred while visiting Okinawa in 2019.
The other was a strain commonly found closer to home.
For the first time, his symptoms had an explanation that connected the dots.
A Personalized Plan for Recovery
Once the underlying contributors were identified, Dr. TJ and his team created a treatment plan tailored specifically to Ryan’s needs.
His care included:
- Targeted IV therapy to support healing and recovery.
- Ozone IV treatments.
- High-dose ozone (EBOO) therapy.
- Ongoing monitoring and adjustments based on his progress.
Rather than simply treating symptoms, the goal was to help his body recover from the underlying burden affecting his health.
Finding Hope Again
Ryan noticed changes almost immediately.
His energy began returning.
He stopped limping.
He could climb stairs without grabbing the handrail.
Simple tasks that had become nearly impossible started feeling normal again.
“I feel like a new person.”
While his recovery is still continuing, the difference has been life changing.
One milestone stands out.
After months of struggling to walk, Ryan finally felt well enough to take a walk outside.
That first mile took him 47 minutes.
For many people, that may not seem remarkable.
For Ryan, it represented hope.
It meant he was moving forward again.
Healing Is a Partnership
Dr. TJ often reminds patients that healing isn’t passive.
The right testing, personalized treatment plan, and advanced therapies are important—but so is the patient’s willingness to fully commit to the process.
Ryan embraced every recommendation, followed his treatment plan closely, and stayed committed to his recovery.
Today, those efforts are paying off.
His progress continues to improve, and for the first time in a long time, he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Looking Deeper Matters
Complex symptoms often have complex causes.
When patients experience unexplained neurological symptoms, chronic pain, fatigue, or mobility challenges, it’s important to look beyond surface level diagnoses.
At The Institute of Natural Health, we believe testing matters because what gets tested matters.
Through comprehensive evaluations and personalized Functional Medicine care, Dr. TJ and his team work to identify the underlying factors that may be contributing to a patient’s symptoms so treatment can be targeted to their unique needs.
Could This Be Your Story?
If you’ve been searching for answers, received conflicting diagnoses, or feel like your symptoms still haven’t been fully explained, don’t lose hope.
Sometimes the most important breakthrough comes from asking questions that haven’t been asked yet.
You deserve a healthcare team that’s willing to look deeper.
Ready to Find the Root Cause?
If you’re living with chronic pain, unexplained neurological symptoms, fatigue, or health concerns that haven’t improved despite multiple appointments, The Institute of Natural Health is here to help.
Through comprehensive testing and personalized Functional Medicine care, Dr. TJ and his team work to uncover what’s really driving your symptoms so you can move toward lasting answers and a better quality of life.
