As a health professional, I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate connections within our bodies. One of the most intriguing relationships is the one between our digestive system and our neuro-musculo-skeletal (NMS) health. In my years of work, I’ve come to realize that chronic NMS symptoms often have an underlying cause that goes beyond the obvious culprits like inflammation. Today, I want to discuss a common condition that could potentially be the missing piece in the puzzle of your patients’ chronic pain and discomfort.
The Gut-Brain Connection:
In Functional, Chinese, and Integrative medicine, we often say: “If in doubt, start with the gut.” This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a testament to the profound impact our digestive system has on our overall health. The gut is the root of the problem in as many as 90% of cases. But what exactly is the connection between our gut and our NMS symptoms?
Enter SIBO:
SIBO, or small intestine bacterial overgrowth, is a condition that has captured the attention of many. In a healthy small bowel, beneficial bacteria perform crucial functions in digesting food and absorbing nutrients. However, when there’s an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, it can wreak havoc on both the structure and function of this vital organ.
The consequences of SIBO extend far beyond the digestive system. This condition has been linked to a host of potential complications, including immune reactions that trigger food sensitivities, generalized inflammation, oxidative stress, and even autoimmune diseases. All of these factors can contribute to the exacerbation of NMS symptoms in your patients.
Could SIBO Be the Missing Link?
If you have clients who have been bouncing from doctor to doctor, trying every treatment under the sun with little to no improvement, it might be time to consider SIBO as a potential root cause. Some telltale signs include:
- Poor response to high FODMAP foods like wheat, garlic, and apples
- Little change or even worsening symptoms after trying an elimination diet
- Persistent inflammation and NMS symptoms despite various interventions
If you suspect that SIBO could be the underlying issue for your patients, the next step is to test for it. By identifying and addressing this often-overlooked condition, you may finally be able to help your patients quench the inflammation and resolve their chronic NMS symptoms once and for all.
Conclusion:
As health professionals, our goal is to help our clients find relief and improve their quality of life. By understanding the intricate connections within the body, like the gut-brain relationship, we can uncover the root causes of chronic conditions and develop targeted treatment plans. SIBO is just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s a significant one that deserves our attention.
Want to Learn more? Here's The Next steps:
- Register for our Free Training: Why Adding an Online Functional Medicine Program to Your Practice is the Key to Escape the Office, Scale Your Income, and Reach Millions (While getting even better outcomes for your patients than you are now!)
- Subscribe to Garric Vosloo’s YouTube channel for additional information and to get notifications when new videos are available!
