Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in San Diego, CA
At Thrive Wellness, we treat IBS as the complex, multi-factorial condition it is — not as a wastebasket diagnosis to be managed indefinitely. Whether you experience IBS-C, IBS-D, IBS-M, or post-infectious IBS, our San Diego, CA functional medicine and acupuncture team investigates the specific drivers of your bowel dysfunction and builds a personalized protocol to resolve them. Call (619) 984-4317 or book a free initial consultation to get started.
Book OnlineThe Root Causes of IBS
IBS is often described as a “functional” disorder — meaning there is no structural disease — but this does not mean it has no physiological cause. At Thrive Wellness, we identify the specific functional drivers of IBS in each patient through targeted testing. The most common findings include SIBO (present in 50–80% of IBS patients in published research), gut dysbiosis and microbiome imbalance, visceral hypersensitivity (heightened pain sensitivity in the gut), intestinal motility dysfunction, food sensitivities and intolerances, post-infectious gut changes, and gut-brain axis dysregulation driven by chronic stress and anxiety.
Addressing these root causes — rather than using antispasmodics or fiber supplements to temporarily manage symptoms — is what produces lasting improvement for our IBS patients.
IBS Subtypes We Treat
- IBS-C (constipation-predominant)
- IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant)
- IBS-M (mixed bowel habits)
- Post-infectious IBS
- IBS with confirmed SIBO
- IBS with significant anxiety or stress component
How Thrive Wellness Treats IBS
Functional Medicine: Our IBS protocols at Thrive Wellness begin with SIBO breath testing, comprehensive stool analysis, and food sensitivity assessment — the three most clinically relevant tests for IBS. Based on results, your protocol may address SIBO eradication (with antimicrobial herbs or coordinated antibiotic therapy), microbiome restoration, dietary trigger removal, gut motility support, visceral hypersensitivity management, and intestinal barrier repair. Learn more on our Functional Medicine page.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is one of the most evidence-supported treatments for IBS. It regulates gut motility (both speeding up constipation-predominant and slowing diarrhea-predominant patterns), reduces visceral hypersensitivity, activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and addresses the gut-brain axis dysfunction that is central to IBS pathophysiology. Learn more on our Acupuncture & Sports Medicine page.
EMDR Therapy: Stress and anxiety are among the most potent drivers of IBS symptoms — and for many patients, the gut is the primary organ through which their nervous system expresses distress. EMDR Therapy & Counseling with Mandy Pfaff addresses the psychological and neurological contributors to gut-brain axis dysregulation in IBS patients with significant stress or trauma components.
IBS FAQs
What causes IBS and can it be cured?
IBS is caused by a combination of SIBO, gut dysbiosis, visceral hypersensitivity, motility dysfunction, food sensitivities, and gut-brain axis dysregulation. At Thrive Wellness in San Diego, CA , identifying and addressing the specific drivers of your IBS through functional medicine and acupuncture consistently produces significant and often lasting improvement — which patients who’ve been told to simply “manage” their IBS frequently describe as life-changing.
Is SIBO the same as IBS?
No — SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is a specific, testable condition that is present in a majority of IBS patients. It is a common root cause of IBS symptoms rather than IBS itself. At Thrive Wellness, SIBO testing is a standard part of our IBS workup, and when SIBO is identified and treated, IBS symptoms often resolve significantly or completely.
What foods should I avoid with IBS?
The answer is highly individual — and at Thrive Wellness we determine it through testing rather than guesswork. Common triggers include high-FODMAP foods (for patients with SIBO or dysbiosis-driven fermentation), gluten (for patients with gluten sensitivity), dairy (for patients with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivity), and specific foods identified through sensitivity testing. Generic elimination diets without testing frequently miss individual triggers and unnecessarily restrict beneficial foods.
Can stress make IBS worse?
Yes — stress is one of the most potent IBS triggers. The gut-brain axis means psychological stress directly alters gut motility, increases intestinal permeability, and heightens visceral pain sensitivity. At Thrive Wellness, managing the stress-gut connection through acupuncture, massage, and EMDR therapy is a routine part of IBS care for patients with significant stress components.
How many sessions does IBS treatment take at Thrive Wellness?
Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 4–8 weeks of starting a targeted IBS protocol at Thrive Wellness. Full resolution — particularly for SIBO-positive IBS or complex multi-factor presentations — typically takes 3–6 months. Your functional medicine practitioner will provide a realistic timeline at your initial consultation and adjust your protocol based on how you respond. Call (619) 984-4317 to schedule your free initial telehealth consultation in San Diego, CA .
Are IBS treatments at Thrive Wellness covered by HSA or FSA?
Yes — functional medicine, acupuncture, and EMDR therapy at Thrive Wellness are all covered by HSA and FSA accounts. Discounted follow-up packages are available. Visit our Pricing & Packages page or call (619) 984-4317 for details.