E64: Where The Undiagnosed Find Answers: AtoneMD's Mission
What makes Dr. Judy Toney with AtoneMD a good neighbor?
In a healthcare landscape often criticized for its rushed appointments and medication-focused approaches, Dr. Judy Toney of AtoneMD is carving a different path through functional medicine. The Good Neighbor Podcast recently featured Dr. Toney, who shared her journey from traditional family practice physician to functional medicine specialist, highlighting the transformative potential of this holistic approach to healthcare.
Dr. Toney's story begins in 2015 when she left conventional medicine, frustrated by the constraints of insurance requirements. "I literally could not take the burden of insurance anymore," she explained. This pivotal decision led her to establish Ageless Health and Aesthetics, which eventually evolved into AtoneMD. Initially focusing on a balance between aesthetic treatments and bioidentical hormone therapy, Dr. Toney's practice has matured to incorporate a comprehensive approach to functional medicine that addresses gut health, adrenal function, immune conditions, and various other aspects of holistic wellbeing.
What sets functional medicine apart, according to Dr. Toney, is its commitment to identifying root causes rather than merely treating symptoms. She challenges the misconception that "doctors don't care anymore and that everything is insurance driven." Instead, functional medicine practitioners "sit down, get to know the whole person—spiritual, emotional, social history, family, everything—and dive deep with that patient in the hopes of getting that patient fixed, not just throwing a medication at someone." This patient-centered approach has attracted individuals who have exhausted conventional medical options without finding relief or answers.
Perhaps most compelling is Dr. Toney's current personal health journey battling Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), a condition where the immune system becomes overloaded and begins misfiring. "I'm literally treating on myself right now everything that I've been treating everyone else for for years," she revealed. This firsthand experience has deepened her empathy and understanding, allowing her to genuinely tell patients, "I know, me too. It's awful." Her personal struggle has reinforced her commitment to providing comprehensive care that addresses the whole person.
Unlike many medical practices that rely heavily on marketing, AtoneMD has grown primarily through word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied patients. Dr. Toney's approach resonates with people seeking alternatives to the conventional medical model, particularly those who feel unheard or overlooked by traditional healthcare providers. At AtoneMD, patients find more than medical treatment; they discover a comfortable space where they can relax, feel listened to, and participate actively in their healing journey.
For those interested in exploring functional medicine, Dr. Toney's practice offers a refreshing alternative to the rushed appointments typical of insurance-driven healthcare. "This is a place where you're going to get listened to," she emphasizes, describing her practice as a comfortable space where patients can "come in ready to get better." By prioritizing patient experience and addressing root causes rather than symptoms alone, AtoneMD exemplifies the potential of functional medicine to transform healthcare from the inside out—one patient at a time.
To learn more about AtoneMD go to:
AtoneMD
(720) 789-3931
