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IBS, SIBO, and the Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Rachael Lovink, ND

Season #1

What if IBS isn’t “just in your head” — but it also isn’t just about food, bacteria, or SIBO?

In this episode of Off the Charts, Dr. Bobby Parmar sits down with Dr. Rachael Lovink, ND, a naturopathic doctor and gut health strategist, for a deep conversation about IBS, constipation, gut-brain communication, visceral hypersensitivity, SIBO testing, pelvic floor dysfunction, neuromodulators, and why so many patients get stuck chasing one “root cause.”

Dr. Rachael shares how her own experience with IBS shaped the way she now works with patients, especially those dealing with chronic constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, food fear, and long histories of trying diets, antimicrobials, SIBO treatments, functional testing, and supplement protocols without lasting relief.

Together, Bobby and Rachael explore why IBS is better understood as a disorder of gut-brain interaction, why validation and education matter so much in care, and why the path forward often requires looking beyond the usual rabbit holes: dysbiosis, SIBO, food triggers, and test results.

They also discuss why constipation can be missed even when someone is going to the bathroom daily, why pelvic floor coordination matters, when PEG or RestoraLAX may help or make symptoms worse, what dyssynergic defecation means, and why biofeedback can be an important part of chronic constipation care.

This conversation is for anyone who wants a more nuanced way to understand IBS, SIBO, constipation, gut pain, and the nervous system.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • Why IBS is not “just in your head”
  • What disorders of gut-brain interaction are
  • Why visceral hypersensitivity can make normal digestion feel painful
  • Why neuromodulators are used in IBS care
  • Why SIBO testing is not always the best place to start
  • Why dysbiosis does not always mean you need antimicrobials
  • How constipation can be missed, even when someone poops daily
  • Why “just get them pooping” can change the clinical picture
  • When PEG / RestoraLAX may help — and when it may make symptoms worse
  • What dyssynergic defecation means
  • Why pelvic floor assessment matters in chronic constipation
  • Why biofeedback can be important for pelvic floor coordination
  • How IBS, endometriosis, migraines, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain conditions may overlap
  • Why some patients get stuck in the SIBO treatment loop
  • Why GLP-1 research in IBS is an emerging area to watch  

REFERENCES

Rome IV — Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27147121/

Rome Foundation — Rome IV Criteria https://theromefoundation.org/rome-iv/rome-iv-criteria/

ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33315591/

Diagnosis and Treatment of Dyssynergic Defecation https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4930297/

ANMS-ESNM Position Paper and Consensus Guidelines on Biofeedback Therapy https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4409469/

Pain relief and pain intensity response to GLP-1 receptor agonist ROSE-010 in IBS https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35234561/

Improvement of irritable bowel syndrome with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11932899/

CONNECT WITH GRAVITY HEALTH

FOLLOW US

Gravity Health Clinics → https://www.instagram.com/gravityhealthclinics/

Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND → https://www.instagram.com/docparmar_nd/

Dr. Paul Maximus, ND → https://www.instagram.com/drmaximus/

Dr. Rachael Lovink, ND → https://www.drlovink.com/

DISCLAIMER ⚠️

This video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or stopping medication, supplements, diets, or treatment plans.

Off the Charts is a podcast by Gravity Health, created for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or any other healthcare service, and should not be taken as medical advice.

Listening to this podcast does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Listeners should always seek the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical condition or treatment.

For more information about content use and disclaimers, please visit: https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/terms-of-use https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/medical-disclaimer