You’re eating the same foods you always have, but now you feel uncomfortably full after just a few bites. Or your stomach swells as the day goes on, making you dread wearing anything but yoga pants or running shorts.
If you’ve been told “it’s just a normal part of aging” [perimenopause or menopause] or “it’s a side effect of pregnancy,” [abdominal separation or diastasis recti], you’re not alone.
But you also don’t have to accept gastrointestinal discomfort as your new normal.
Bloating can be frustrating, uncomfortable and even embarrassing. For many, it’s more than a mild nuisance because it can impact confidence, energy levels and even social life. The problem is that standard medical visits often attribute bloating to diet changes, hormones, or stress without digging deeper. You might be left wondering WHY you have these symptoms, with very few answers about the underlying cause.
Want to know the truth about your symptoms? Chronic bloating is often a sign of something more specific, for instance, SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), hormonal imbalances or digestive dysfunction, all of which can be identified through functional testing and a targeted integrative treatment plan.
I recently had a patient who had been living with disruptive and uncomfortable bloating for too long. She asked her Western doctor about it multiple times, only to hear the same answer: “Your stomach muscles separated during your pregnancy. It happens to lots of women. Nothing to worry about because it’s common.” But she was worried. The “bloating” was getting worse, not better, and was now accompanied by fatigue and irregular bowel movements.
When she came to see me, we started with a comprehensive GI panel. That led us to discover she had a bacterial imbalance in her small intestine as well as low stomach acid. With a combination of herbal antimicrobials, acupuncture, and dietary shifts, her bloating began to improve within weeks.
We believe in finding the underlying cause of your symptoms. For bloating, that might mean:
- SIBO Testing – Identifies bacterial overgrowth that can cause gas, bloating, and discomfort.
- Comprehensive GI Testing – Evaluates digestive function, inflammation, and microbiome balance.
- Hormonal Testing – Detects imbalances that can slow digestion or contribute to water retention. In addition to women’s and men’s hormone panels, we offer the Dutch Test and also our comprehensive Hormone Zoomer test.
Once we have answers, we create a personalized plan that may include:
- Lifestyle and nutrition changes
- Acupuncture to support digestion and reduce stress
- Herbal medicine to rebalance gut bacteria
- Lymphatic massage to support detoxification and fluid movement
If you’re tired of living with bloating, digestive discomfort or unpredictable gut symptoms, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to just “put up with them.”
Our holistic approach to digestive health addresses the root cause of your symptoms, whether it’s something like SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), hormone imbalances or another underlying issue – we can help you get to the bottom of your gut issues.
Ready to have a healthier, happier gut? Schedule your free new patient 15-minute consultation online or call (303) 688-6698 to get a jump start on relieving your GI discomfort.
Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture is located in Castle Rock, CO. A licensed naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist, Dr. Adam Graves, ND, LAc, specializes in natural digestive health solutions.
Dr. Graves helps patients with bloating, IBS, SIBO, and hormone-related gut issues find lasting relief through evidence-based and integrative care. His goal is to help you rebalance your digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and restore your energy, so you can get back to living without discomfort holding you back.
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