IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

IBS is one of the most common digestive conditions, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. IBS isn’t a single problem — it’s a collection of patterns that affect digestion, motility, sensitivity, hormones, the microbiome and the nervous system.

Many people are told IBS is “just stress” or “something you have to live with,” but IBS always has a root. That root is different for everyone — which is why personalised support matters so deeply.

What IBS Really Is

IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms, not a single cause.
Most people with IBS have a combination of:

  • motility changes (too fast or too slow)

  • altered microbiome balance

  • increased gut sensitivity

  • impaired digestion (acid, enzymes, bile flow)

  • nervous-system activation

  • post-infectious changes

  • hormonal shifts (especially in women)

  • stress or emotional tension patterns

  • low-grade inflammation

  • SIBO or dysbiosis

IBS is a multi-layer condition, not a food intolerance.

Common IBS Symptoms

IBS can present in different ways, including:

  • bloating or distention

  • abdominal pain or cramping

  • constipation (IBS-C)

  • diarrhoea (IBS-D)

  • mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)

  • urgency after meals

  • nausea

  • irregular fullness or slow digestion

  • fatigue or brain fog

  • food reactions that shift and change

The pattern of symptoms is more important than the label.

The Nervous System & IBS

IBS is closely linked to the gut–brain axis.

The digestive system slows or speeds up depending on how safe the body feels.
When the nervous system is in:

  • fight

  • flight

  • freeze

  • shutdown

…digestion becomes unpredictable.

This is why IBS often worsens during:

  • stress

  • overwhelm

  • emotional triggers

  • conflict

  • pressure or perfectionism

  • chronic tension

  • rushing or eating on-the-go

IBS is not “in your head” — it’s in your physiology.

Why IBS Symptoms Change from Day to Day

IBS fluctuates because:

  • hormones shift

  • the microbiome changes

  • stress patterns vary

  • sleep impacts digestion

  • nervous-system states move throughout the day

  • digestion responds differently based on posture, tension and diaphragm tightness

This is why the same food is fine one day and not the next — it’s the internal environment, not the food, that changes.

Root Causes Often Missed in Standard IBS Care

Many people are told to try:

  • low-FODMAP

  • fibre

  • probiotics

  • peppermint oil

  • antispasmodics

These can help temporarily but don’t always address:

  • low stomach acid

  • enzyme insufficiency

  • sluggish motility

  • microbial imbalance

  • underlying SIBO

  • inflammation

  • hormone-related IBS

  • post-infectious IBS

  • freeze/fawn patterns in the nervous system

  • diaphragm tension

  • chronic stress physiology

  • emotional suppression held in the body

IBS is rarely “just IBS.”

Testing That Can Help

Not everyone needs testing, but when helpful, key tests include:

  • GI360 or GI-MAP (microbiome, inflammation, enzymes)

  • SIBO breath testing

  • DUTCH hormone testing (cycle-related IBS)

  • Functional bloods (nutrient status, thyroid)

Testing helps identify what standard IBS care often misses.

Supporting IBS: What Actually Works Long-Term

True IBS improvement usually includes:

Digestive Support

  • improving stomach acid

  • supporting enzyme/bile flow

  • regulating motility (MMC)

  • reducing inflammation

Microbiome Support

  • balancing bacterial overgrowth

  • rebuilding beneficial species

  • supporting diversity

Nervous-System Support

  • reducing gut-brain hyper-reactivity

  • increasing sense of safety

  • releasing tension patterns

  • gentle somatic work

  • Compassionate Inquiry when appropriate

Hormonal Support

(especially for IBS that worsens with cycle changes)

Food Confidence

  • identifying genuine sensitivities

  • expanding diet, not restricting

  • breaking the fear cycle

IBS always has a pattern — once we understand yours, everything becomes clearer.

This Page in One Sentence

IBS is not a single problem — it's a dynamic gut–brain–microbiome pattern that improves most when the digestive, microbial and nervous-system layers are supported together.