Natural IBS Treatment & Support
Finding Lasting Relief from Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a common digestive condition that affects millions of people, causing uncomfortable symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. If you have IBS, you know how unpredictable and disruptive these symptoms can be to your daily life.
At Paracelsus Natural Family Health Center in Pasadena and Redlands, Dr. Simon Barker and Dr. Daniel Brousseau understand that IBS is more than just a “nervous stomach” or something you have to “learn to live with.” They use comprehensive testing and natural treatments to identify the root causes of your IBS symptoms and help you find lasting relief.
Many people with IBS have been told their condition is just stress-related or that there’s no real cure. The truth is, IBS symptoms usually have underlying causes that can be identified and treated naturally, giving you back control over your digestive health and your life.
What Makes Our IBS Treatment Different
Comprehensive Root Cause Testing – Unlike conventional medicine, which often diagnoses IBS by ruling out other conditions, we focus on finding the specific causes of your symptoms. We use SIBO breath testing to determine if bacterial overgrowth is causing symptoms, comprehensive stool analysis to look at bacterial balance, inflammation, and digestion, food sensitivity testing to identify trigger foods, and organic acids testing to detect bacterial or yeast overgrowth and nutrient deficiencies.
Systematic Four-Phase Approach – Rather than just managing symptoms, we work to identify and treat the root causes. We first identify and address root causes using targeted testing to find specific factors like SIBO, food sensitivities, or bacterial imbalance; then reduce inflammation and heal the gut using specific nutrients and natural compounds; then restore proper digestive function including healthy bacteria balance and gut barrier function; and finally maintain long-term digestive health with sustainable eating and lifestyle habits.
Personalized Treatment Protocols – Our treatment is tailored to your specific IBS type and test results, including dietary modifications like low-FODMAP diet or elimination diets; SIBO treatment when present using natural antimicrobial herbs; gut healing nutrients including L-glutamine and anti-inflammatory compounds; bacterial balance restoration with specific probiotic strains; and stress and gut-brain support with management techniques and natural compounds.
Evidence-Based Approach – Our methods are supported by extensive research showing the effectiveness of diet changes for IBS symptom management, studies demonstrating the connection between SIBO and IBS symptoms (up to 80% of people with IBS actually have SIBO), evidence for specific probiotic strains in improving IBS symptoms, and research on the gut-brain connection and stress management for IBS.
How Our IBS Treatment Works
Initial Comprehensive Assessment – We conduct thorough evaluations to understand your symptoms, history, and triggers. Testing helps identify what’s causing your IBS whether it’s SIBO, food sensitivities, gut bacteria imbalance, leaky gut syndrome, digestive function problems, or other underlying issues.
Active Treatment Phase – We provide targeted natural treatments based on your test results including dietary modifications specific to your IBS type and triggers, SIBO treatment with natural antimicrobial herbs when bacterial overgrowth is present, gut healing nutrients like amino acids that repair the intestinal lining and anti-inflammatory compounds, bacterial balance restoration with specific probiotic strains and prebiotic fibers, and symptom-specific support including natural remedies for diarrhea or constipation and herbs that reduce cramping and spasms.
Stress and Gut-Brain Support – Since stress and IBS are closely connected through the gut-brain axis, we include stress management techniques that calm the nervous system, natural compounds that support the gut-brain connection, and relaxation strategies that improve digestive function.
Long-Term Maintenance – We help you develop sustainable eating and lifestyle habits that prevent IBS symptoms from returning, with the goal of giving you more food freedom as your gut heals rather than permanent food restrictions.
Understanding IBS and What Really Causes It
While doctors often say the exact cause of IBS is unknown, research shows that several underlying factors usually contribute to IBS symptoms.
IBS Types: IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant) includes frequent loose stools, urgency, and cramping. IBS-C (constipation-predominant) includes hard stools, difficulty passing stools, and straining. IBS-M (mixed type) alternates between diarrhea and constipation with unpredictable patterns. Common symptoms across all types include abdominal pain or cramping, bloating and gas, changes in bowel movement frequency, mucus in stools, and symptoms that come and go or get triggered by certain foods or stress.
Common underlying causes include Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – studies show up to 80% of people with IBS actually have bacteria growing in the wrong part of their intestines; food sensitivities and intolerances to foods like gluten, dairy, high-FODMAP foods, and individual triggers; gut bacteria imbalance leading to inflammation and poor digestion; leaky gut syndrome when the intestinal lining becomes damaged; chronic stress and gut-brain connection issues; post-infectious IBS that starts after food poisoning or stomach bug; digestive function problems with stomach acid, digestive enzymes, or bile flow; and hormonal changes that many women notice around their menstrual cycle.
Symptoms beyond digestion: Many people with IBS also experience fatigue and low energy, headaches, back pain or muscle aches, sleep problems, anxiety or depression, brain fog or difficulty concentrating, and bladder problems. This happens because digestive dysfunction can affect nutrient absorption, increase inflammation, and disrupt the gut-brain connection.
Benefits of Natural IBS Treatment
Patients who choose our comprehensive natural approach often experience:
Predictable Digestive Function
More regular, comfortable bowel movements and reduced urgency or straining.
Significantly Reduced Symptoms
Less bloating, gas, cramping, and abdominal pain as underlying causes are addressed.
Improved Food Tolerance
Many patients find they can eat a wider variety of foods without triggering symptoms once their gut heals. While you may initially need to follow specific dietary guidelines, most patients are able to gradually expand their diet as healing progresses.
Better Energy and Mood
Improved nutrient absorption and reduced inflammation often lead to increased energy and better emotional balance.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Freedom from constantly worrying about bathroom locations or avoiding social situations due to digestive symptoms.
Long-Lasting Relief
By addressing root causes rather than just managing symptoms, many patients experience lasting improvement in their IBS.
Reduced Medication Dependence
Many patients are able to reduce or eliminate their need for IBS medications once underlying issues are resolved.
Most patients begin noticing improvements within 2-4 weeks of starting treatment, with more significant changes occurring over 2-6 months as the underlying causes are addressed and the gut heals.
Ready to Find Relief from Your IBS?
Dr. Barker and Dr. Brousseau’s comprehensive approach to IBS provides patients with evidence-based natural support that identifies and treats root causes for lasting relief rather than just symptom management.
Questions about natural IBS treatment?
Call either office to discuss how our proven natural approach can help you identify what’s causing your IBS symptoms and find lasting relief.
Call either office to discuss how our proven natural approach can help you identify what’s causing your IBS symptoms and find lasting relief.