Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be frustrating and exhausting — especially when symptoms come and go without clear explanation. Many people are told to “manage” their discomfort with medications or dietary changes, only to find that the relief is temporary. For those seeking a more comprehensive, lasting solution, Dr. Mark Stengler, NMD, MS, offers a different approach.

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, California, Dr. Stengler and his team specialize in uncovering the root causes of digestive dysfunction. A nationally recognized expert in naturopathic and integrative medicine, Dr. Stengler has over 25 years of experience helping patients restore gut health naturally through functional and evidence-based care.

IBS is a common yet complex digestive disorder that affects millions of Americans. It’s not caused by one single issue — rather, it arises from a combination of imbalances in digestion, microbiome health, stress regulation, and even hormonal function. Many patients come to Dr. Stengler after years of cycling through medications that only mask symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea — without providing true, long-term relief.

Dr. Stengler’s naturopathic and functional medicine approach is different. Instead of focusing only on symptom control, he investigates why the gut is reacting this way — whether due to food sensitivities, bacterial overgrowth, inflammation, or a disrupted gut-brain connection. His goal is to correct these underlying imbalances, allowing the digestive system to heal naturally and function as it was designed to.

Understanding IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is more than just “a sensitive stomach.” It’s a chronic disorder of gut motility and communication between the intestines and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. This condition affects how the muscles of the digestive tract contract and how the nervous system perceives pain and bloating.

The hallmark symptoms of IBS often include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping that improves after a bowel movement
• Persistent bloating or distention after meals
• Excessive gas and discomfort
• Constipation, diarrhea, or alternating between the two
• Irregular bowel patterns that disrupt daily life

IBS is generally classified into three main subtypes:

• IBS-C (Constipation-dominant): infrequent, difficult bowel movements
• IBS-D (Diarrhea-dominant): frequent, loose stools and urgency
• IBS-M (Mixed type): alternating between constipation and diarrhea

While these categories help describe symptoms, they do not explain why the condition occurs — and that’s where functional medicine shines. Research shows that IBS is often linked to microbiome imbalance, intestinal inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation, leading to abnormal gut contractions and pain sensitivity.

The Stengler Center’s Naturopathic and Functional Approach to IBS

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, Dr. Mark Stengler, NMD, MS, combines the wisdom of naturopathic medicine with the precision of functional medicine testing to provide comprehensive, individualized care for patients suffering from IBS.

Naturopathic medicine focuses on natural, non-invasive therapies that stimulate the body’s God-given ability to heal itself. Functional medicine adds an advanced, science-based framework for identifying the biochemical, hormonal, and microbiome imbalances that drive chronic symptoms. By uniting these two disciplines, Dr. Stengler helps patients uncover why their digestion is disrupted and how to restore lasting balance.

Each care plan is fully customized, beginning with a thorough assessment of symptoms, diet, lifestyle, and emotional factors. From there, Dr. Stengler uses advanced diagnostic testing — including gut microbiome analysis, food sensitivity testing, and hormone evaluation — to uncover the root causes behind IBS. These insights inform a personalized protocol designed to rebalance digestion naturally, not simply mask discomfort.

Advanced Diagnostic Testing for IBS

Dr. Stengler’s first step toward helping IBS patients find real relief is determining why their symptoms developed. To do this, he uses comprehensive diagnostic testing that goes well beyond standard gastrointestinal exams.

Key diagnostic tools include:

• Comprehensive Stool Analysis:
  Evaluates the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria, presence of pathogens, digestive enzyme function, and markers of inflammation or infection.
• SIBO Breath Test:
  Detects Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, a frequent and often overlooked cause of bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements.
• Food Sensitivity Testing:
  Identifies immune-mediated reactions to specific foods that may be triggering inflammation or digestive upset.
• Intestinal Permeability (“Leaky Gut”) Test:
  Assesses the integrity of the gut lining and its ability to prevent toxins and undigested food particles from entering the bloodstream.
• Hormone and Adrenal Testing:
  Measures cortisol and other hormones that influence the gut-brain axis, metabolism, and stress response.
• Nutrient Absorption Panels:
  Detects deficiencies in key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants caused by poor digestion or chronic inflammation.

Accurate testing allows Dr. Stengler to pinpoint the exact causes of IBS symptoms — whether bacterial imbalance, stress-related dysfunction, or nutritional insufficiency — and develop a precise, individualized treatment plan to address them.

Natural and Functional IBS Treatment Options

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, IBS care is never one-size-fits-all. Each patient’s body tells a unique story, and Dr. Mark Stengler’s functional and naturopathic approach tailors treatment to the root causes identified through comprehensive testing. By combining modern diagnostics with natural, evidence-based therapies, he helps patients heal their gut, restore balance, and regain confidence in their digestive health.

Nutritional Therapy

Food is one of the most powerful tools for healing the gut. Dr. Stengler uses anti-inflammatory, gut-healing diets customized for each patient’s needs and sensitivities.

• Low-FODMAP, elimination, or Mediterranean-style diets may be prescribed to calm inflammation and reduce gas-producing foods.
• Healing staples such as bone broth, aloe vera, fermented vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids support gut lining repair and microbial balance.
• Dietary plans also address blood sugar stability and nutrient deficiencies that contribute to fatigue and hormonal imbalance.

Dr. Stengler teaches patients to view food as medicine — using nutrition not only to soothe IBS symptoms but also to strengthen overall wellness.

Probiotics and Microbiome Restoration

A balanced gut microbiome is essential for digestive comfort and immune function. When harmful bacteria or yeast overgrow, bloating, cramping, and irregular bowel movements often result.

• Dr. Stengler uses targeted probiotic formulations to restore beneficial bacteria, improve digestion, and enhance immune resilience.
• He also prescribes prebiotic fibers to feed healthy gut flora and herbal antimicrobials (such as oregano oil and berberine) to gently rebalance microbial populations.

This approach not only corrects dysbiosis but also helps patients develop long-term digestive stability and resilience.

Digestive Support

Many IBS sufferers experience symptoms because their digestion is incomplete or inefficient. Dr. Stengler supports proper nutrient absorption through:

• Natural digestive enzymes and bitters that enhance food breakdown.
• Nutritional and herbal therapies that optimize stomach acid levels, supporting protein digestion and minimizing reflux.

By improving digestion at its source, patients often experience rapid relief from post-meal discomfort and bloating.

Stress and the Mind-Body Connection

The gut-brain axis plays a major role in IBS. Stress can heighten intestinal sensitivity and slow digestion, while emotional tension can directly alter gut motility. Dr. Stengler helps patients restore this balance through:

• Relaxation practices, including deep breathing, prayer, and restorative stillness.
• Adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha and rhodiola that balance adrenal function and reduce stress hormones.
• Lifestyle coaching for emotional and spiritual well-being, helping patients find peace in body and mind.

This integrative care addresses both the physical and emotional components of IBS, supporting true, whole-person healing.

Herbal and Nutrient Therapies

Dr. Stengler utilizes evidence-based botanicals and nutrients proven to support digestive comfort and repair the intestinal lining:

• Peppermint oil, a natural antispasmodic, relaxes the intestinal muscles and reduces cramping.
• Slippery elm and L-glutamine help strengthen and restore the gut barrier.
• Chamomile, licorice root, and turmeric calm inflammation and ease discomfort naturally.

Each supplement is carefully selected based on the patient’s health profile and lab results, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

Lifestyle Optimization

IBS management is not just about what you eat — it’s about how you live. Dr. Stengler helps patients cultivate sustainable habits that enhance digestion and overall well-being:

• Gentle physical activity, such as walking or yoga, improves intestinal motility.
• Adequate sleep supports hormone regulation and digestive repair.
• Proper hydration ensures regular bowel movements and supports detoxification.

These daily lifestyle practices strengthen the body’s natural rhythms and help patients maintain results long after treatment.

Restore Balance and Comfort Naturally — IBS Relief Starts Here

Living with IBS doesn’t have to mean living with discomfort. Whether you experience bloating, irregularity, abdominal pain, or food sensitivities, Dr. Mark Stengler’s naturopathic and functional IBS treatment in Encinitas offers a proven path to lasting relief.

Through advanced testing, personalized nutrition, and natural therapies, Dr. Stengler and his experienced team at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine help you uncover the root cause of your digestive distress and rebuild gut health naturally. Their compassionate, evidence-based approach helps patients achieve the comfort, balance, and vitality they deserve.

Contact the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine today:
📍 Address: 324 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
📞 Phone: 760-274-2377 or Toll-Free 855.DOC.MARK
📧 Email: clinic@markstengler.com
🌐 Website: www.markstengler.com

‍