Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is more than “just a sensitive stomach.” It’s a functional gut disorder that affects how the colon moves and how sensitive it is to stretching and pressure. In IBS, there’s usually no visible structural damage on scopes or scans—but the digestive system is not functioning the way it should. The result can be a daily battle with gas, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, or a frustrating mix of both.

Standard testing often comes back “reassuring,” yet the pain, bloating, and urgency remain. Medications may offer short-term relief but rarely address why the gut is reacting this way in the first place.

That’s where a naturopathic, integrative approach to IBS can be life-changing.

The Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, based in Encinitas and serving Leucadia, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, and the broader coastal North County area, is a trusted clinic for patients seeking natural, evidence-based solutions for IBS and gut health. Under the leadership of Dr. Mark Stengler, patients receive thorough evaluation, personalized treatment plans, and care that respects Christian values—without new-age practices, and with prayer offered upon request.

Potential Root Causes and Triggers of IBS

Gut Microbiome Imbalances (Dysbiosis)

One of the most common contributors to IBS is dysbiosis—an imbalance in the gut microbiome. This can mean:

• Overgrowth of harmful bacteria or yeast that produce gas, toxins, and irritants.
• Reduced beneficial flora that normally help regulate inflammation, digestion, and motility.

When the microbiome is out of balance, people often experience:

• Gas and bloating
• Irregular bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, or both)
• Increased gut sensitivity and cramping

Restoring a healthy microbiome is often central to long-term gut relief.

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

In SIBO, bacteria that belong in the large intestine migrate into the small intestine, where they ferment food too early in the digestive process. This can cause:

• Intense bloating (especially after meals)
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Gas and altered bowel habits

SIBO is strongly linked to IBS—particularly IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant) and IBS-M (mixed). When SIBO is present and not addressed, IBS symptoms tend to persist despite diet changes or medication.

Food Sensitivities and Intolerances

Food can be medicine—or a major trigger. Many IBS patients react to:

• Gluten
• Dairy
• Certain FODMAP carbohydrates (like onions, garlic, wheat, some fruits)
• Processed foods and additives

It’s important to distinguish between:

• Allergy: Immediate, immune–mediated reaction (often obvious).
• Sensitivity: Delayed immune or inflammatory reaction—symptoms may appear hours or days later.
• Intolerance: Difficulty digesting certain components (like lactose), leading to gas and discomfort.

Identifying and addressing these individual food reactions is key to calming the gut.

Leaky Gut (Increased Intestinal Permeability)

With leaky gut, the intestinal lining becomes weakened, allowing larger food particles and toxins to cross into the bloodstream. This can lead to:

• Immune activation
• Systemic and local inflammation
• Symptom flares in IBS and other conditions

Patients may notice that seemingly random foods cause bloating, pain, or fatigue. Healing the gut lining helps reduce reactivity and restore resilience.

Stress and the Brain–Gut Axis

The gut and brain are constantly “talking” through the brain–gut axis. Chronic stress:

• Disrupts gut motility (causing constipation or diarrhea)
• Increases sensitivity to normal digestive processes
• Alters stomach acid production and enzyme release

The nervous system and vagus nerve play a major role in how the intestines move and how pain is perceived. If stress is ongoing, IBS symptoms often worsen—even with good diet and supplements—unless the nervous system is also supported.

Hormonal and Thyroid Influences

Hormones significantly impact digestion:

• Thyroid dysfunction can slow or speed bowel motility, contributing to constipation or diarrhea.
• Female hormone fluctuations (around menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause) can intensify IBS symptoms.

Addressing thyroid health and hormone balance is often an important piece of the puzzle, especially for women with cyclic symptom changes.

The Stengler Center’s Naturopathic IBS Evaluation

Comprehensive Clinical History

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, IBS care begins with truly listening. Your visit includes:

• A detailed review of digestive symptoms—onset, timing, triggers, and what has or hasn’t helped.
• Exploration of lifestyle factors: diet, sleep quality, stress levels, exercise, travel history, and medication use (including antibiotics, acid blockers, NSAIDs).
• Family history of digestive, autoimmune, or inflammatory conditions.

This whole-person intake helps reveal patterns that guide targeted testing and treatment.

Advanced Digestive Testing

Beyond standard labs, we use advanced tools to uncover hidden contributors to IBS, such as:

• Comprehensive stool analysis to assess:
  
  • Microbiome balance (good vs. harmful organisms)
  • Inflammation and immune markers
  • Digestive function (enzymes, fat absorption, etc.)
• Breath testing for SIBO, when symptoms suggest bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
• Screening for parasites, yeast overgrowth, and hidden infections that can perpetuate IBS symptoms.

These tests help replace guesswork with clear, actionable information.

Additional Functional Labs (When Appropriate)

Depending on the individual case, additional lab work may include:

• Food sensitivity panels to identify delayed food reactions that are hard to spot by diet alone.
• Micronutrient testing (iron, B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and others) to detect deficiencies that affect gut and nervous system function.
• Thyroid and adrenal function testing to understand how hormones and stress response are influencing digestion.

This integrative evaluation allows for a truly customized care plan.

Naturopathic Treatment Strategies for IBS Relief

Phased Treatment Approach (Remove, Repair, Restore)

To create lasting IBS relief, the Stengler Center often uses a stepwise, phased strategy:

• Remove:
  
  • Problematic foods identified through history, elimination diets, or testing
  • Pathogens such as harmful bacteria, yeast, or parasites
  • Irritating medications when safe alternatives exist
• Repair:
  
  • Support for the gut lining using nutrients and soothing botanicals
  • Efforts to reduce inflammation and immune overactivation
• Restore:
  
  • Rebuilding a healthy microbiome balance
  • Supporting normal motility and digestive resilience

This structured approach helps calm flares while working toward long-term gut stability.

Personalized Nutrition Plans

Diet changes are most effective when they’re tailored to you, not copied from a generic list. Plans may include:

• Short-term use of elimination diets or low-FODMAP-style approaches when appropriate.
• Emphasis on whole foods and anti-inflammatory eating—rich in vegetables, high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and fiber (as tolerated).
• Gradual, stepwise reintroduction of foods to identify which items truly trigger symptoms and which are safe to keep.

The goal is not a lifetime of restriction, but a clear, sustainable way of eating that supports comfort and confidence.

Herbal and Nutritional Support

Targeted natural therapies can significantly support IBS healing:

• Botanicals that help regulate motility and provide antispasmodic effects to ease cramping.
• Herbal antimicrobials for SIBO or dysbiosis when indicated by testing.
• Nutrients such as:
  
  • L-glutamine to support gut lining repair
  • Omega-3 fatty acids to calm inflammation
  • Demulcent herbs (soothing, coating herbs) to reduce irritation

These tools are chosen based on individual needs and test results, not one-size-fits-all protocols.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics can be powerful—but they’re not all the same, and not everyone tolerates them equally. At the Stengler Center:

• Individualized probiotic support is selected based on microbiome testing, symptom profile, and patient sensitivity.
• Prebiotic fibers (which feed beneficial bacteria) are introduced gradually and strategically, once the gut is ready, to avoid worsening gas and bloating.

This careful approach helps build a stronger, more resilient microbiome over time.

Stress and Nervous System Support

Because the brain–gut axis plays such a big role in IBS, supporting the nervous system is essential. We focus on:

• Practical, non–new-age stress-reduction tools such as:
  
  • Gentle breathing practices
  • Lifestyle adjustments and time management
  • Boundary setting and pacing to reduce overload
• Sleep optimization strategies to support nightly repair and reset.
• Gentle movement and exercise (like walking, stretching, or light strength work) to support motility, mood, and overall resilience.

By caring for both the gut and the nervous system, patients in Leucadia and surrounding areas are better able to experience steady, lasting improvement—not just temporary good days.

Start Your Naturopathic IBS Relief Journey in Leucadia

IBS can feel overwhelming, but it is manageable—and often significantly improvable—when the true root causes are addressed. By working on the microbiome, healing the gut lining, personalizing your diet, supporting your stress response, and balancing hormones, many patients experience fewer flares, less pain and bloating, and a steady return of energy and confidence.

You do not have to live with constant discomfort, fear of sudden symptoms, or the discouragement of being told “it’s just IBS” or “your tests are normal.” With a thoughtful, integrative approach, it’s possible to calm your digestive system, understand your triggers, and feel in control of your gut again.

If you’re in Leucadia or the surrounding North County coastal communities, now is an excellent time to seek a comprehensive, naturopathic evaluation. You deserve care that listens, investigates, and treats the whole person—so you can reclaim your comfort, confidence, and quality of life.

Contact the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine

Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine
📍 324 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
📞 760-274-2377📞 855.DOC.MARK
📧 clinic@markstengler.com🌐 https://www.markstengler.com/contact

‍