Dr. Ney’s philosophy towards health dictates how she treats her patients.

Her healthcare approach is rooted in the fundamental principles of Naturopathic Medicine. The following six principles are founded on medical tradition and scientific evidence.

Let nature heal. Our bodies have a powerful instinct for self-healing. By identifying and removing obstacles to self-healing (such as poor diet or other unhealthy habits) and giving the body needed tools to be healthy (correcting nutrient deficiencies, balancing hormones, stress management) the body can obtain a much higher level of optimal health.

Identify and treat causes. Dr. Ney appreciates that symptoms will keep returning unless the root illness is addressed. Rather than mask symptoms with medication, she seeks to identify and treat the root causes of the symptoms.

First, do no harm. This principle guides physicians in making decisions on treatment and healthcare. As a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Ney follows this principle by:

  1. Whenever possible, use therapies that have few or no side effects. These include: lifestyle modifications, diet, nutrient supplements, herbal medicine, or homeopathy.
  2. Understand when more aggressive therapy is necessary such as prescription medication or referral to specialists. 
  3. Avoid suppressing symptoms, which is often the body’s way to self-heal. Symptoms should be seen as clues to underlying health imbalances.
  4. Individualize treatment plans based upon each patient’s unique clinical presentation and health history.

Educate patients. Dr. Ney spends time educating her patients on their health conditions and treatment recommendations. She teaches her patients how to eat, exercise, and listen to their bodies. It is through education that patients feel empowered and become active participants in their healthcare.

Treat the whole person. Health and disease are the products of a complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, dietary, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Dr. Ney considers each of these factors in treating a patient.

Prevent illness. Naturopathic doctors understand the power of preventative medicine. It is important not only to prevent disease, but also to prevent minor illnesses from developing into more serious or chronic diseases. Dr. Ney uses various assessment methods (such as a comprehensive health and family history, physical exam, and variety of laboratory tests) to identify disease risk factors and makes appropriate interventions to prevent illness.