Your Questions, Answered

Yes, naturopathy can be helpful for conditions like IBS, SIBO and chronic bloating, particularly because it takes a whole-person approach rather than focusing on symptoms alone.

Naturopathic care looks at factors such as diet, gut microbiome balance, stress, lifestyle, food intolerances and underlying inflammation or hormonal factors. For people with IBS, this may involve dietary strategies (such as identifying trigger foods), stress management and targeted supplements or herbal support.

In cases of SIBO, naturopaths may recommend testing to better understand what type of microbial imbalance is causing symptoms and use dietary modification, depending on the type of SIBO, often alongside specific herbal antimicrobials, digestive support and strategies to improve gut motility and repair the gut lining.

I never tire of hearing peoples’ positive stories of relief and lasting change and I celebrate every victory with my clients. Their success is the reason I continue to do what I do and to love every minute!

Yes. I successfully treat a wide range of other symptoms including weight gain, anxiety, acne, allergies, fatigue states, hormonal imbalances, inflammatory conditions and more, because we are all a ‘mixed bag’ of different symptoms, predispositions and circumstances and none of us can be reduced to just one condition or disease state.

Hippocrates famously said “All disease begins in the gut” and research continues to prove how true this is, with revelations into how our microbiome affects our mood and brain chemistry, immune health, inflammation markers and metabolic balance. Even people who have no specific gut symptoms usually benefit from dietary fine tuning and gut support because there probably isn’t a condition in which gut doesn’t play some role.

Every body is different. Some clients notice shifts early, while others experience gradual improvements over time. The focus is always on sustainable, long-term wellbeing rather than quick fixes.

Yes. Many clients come after trying multiple approaches with only partial or no success. This work focuses on understanding your unique history and root causes in order to design a tailored program for your needs that works!…rather than repeating generic, cookie cutter, one size fits all strategies.

While there may be some initial changes to your diet, wherever possible, this approach aims to reduce restriction in the long term and rebuild trust with food, while working within your lifestyle.

Each person is an individual and therefore, has a unique microbiome (just like we all have a unique fingerprint!), genetic predispositions, different life experiences, likes and dislikes and different relationships with the food they eat. For this reason, we work together to agree on realistic and achievable dietary recommendations for your particular body.

I offer compassion around compliance and focus on small, doable steps. I am a practitioner who works with your real life because healing shouldn’t feel like another full-time job!

I often refer my clients for testing, however, I always consider the cost vs benefit for the individual. There are many different functional testing options available to suit each person’s needs. Some of the tests I most commonly recommend include: Food Allergy & Intolerance testing, Microbiome testing, OAT testing, Dutch hormone testing and DNA testing, depending on the person and their unique health picture.

Yes. Ongoing care is a core part of this work, so you feel guided and supported throughout your journey.

Both naturopaths and nutritionists can help with bloating and gut issues — but they focus on different parts of the problem. The best choice depends on your symptoms, whether you want testing, and how “root-cause” or “medical-adjacent” you want the assessment to be.

Here is a quick comparison to help you decide:

If your bloating comes with multiple symptoms that are unexplained or chronic (IBS-like, reflux, food intolerances, fatigue, hormonal links, stress) or if you want a deeper holistic investigation, choose a naturopath.

Naturopaths offer:

• Herbal medicine (anti-microbials, anti-inflammatories, bitters, gut-soothing herbs)
• Functional testing when appropriate eg stool microbiome tests, SIBO breath tests and food intolerance tests
• Holistic treatment plans (diet + lifestyle + herbs + supplements)
• If your symptoms seem mostly diet-related and you want practical food guidance and help with meal plans, choose a nutritionist.

Nutritionists offer:

• Evidence-based dietary strategies eg FODMAP
• Food symptom tracking
• Meal planning

Some people benefit from a combo of both, but if you just choose one, base your choice on the complexity of your symptoms.

Digestive symptoms such as bloating, reflux, food sensitivities, fatigue, or irregular digestion can have many possible causes. It is often helpful to involve both your GP and a naturopath, as each practitioner offers different perspectives that can support your overall health.

Knowing when to see a GP first and when naturopathic care may be helpful can make the process clearer.

When You Should See a GP First

If you are experiencing certain symptoms, it is important to speak with your GP before seeking naturopathic care.

These symptoms can sometimes indicate medical conditions that need to be assessed or ruled out such as:

• Coeliac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Gastrointestinal infections
• Other medical causes of digestive symptoms

You should see a GP first if you experience:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Fever alongside digestive symptoms
• Persistent diarrhoea
• New digestive symptoms beginning after age 50
• Night-time symptoms that wake you from sleep

Your GP may recommend appropriate tests or referrals to help clarify what is happening.

When a Naturopath May Be Helpful

Once serious medical conditions have been ruled out, many people seek naturopathic care to better understand ongoing digestive symptoms.

Naturopaths often work with people experiencing concerns such as:

• Bloating
• Food sensitivities
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Reflux or digestive discomfort
• Fatigue linked to digestion
• Changes in gut health following illness or antibiotics

A naturopathic consultation takes a holistic view of your health, exploring factors such as nutrition, gut microbiome balance, lifestyle habits, and the connection between digestion and overall wellbeing.

The aim is to develop a personalised approach that supports digestive balance and long-term wellbeing.

Working Together With Your GP

Naturopathic care works best as part of a collaborative healthcare approach.

Many naturopaths work alongside GPs and other healthcare practitioners to ensure clients receive comprehensive care.

In some cases, your naturopath may recommend discussing certain tests with your GP. Some of these investigations may be available through your doctor and may be covered by Medicare in Australia, which can help reduce costs.

Working together in this way helps ensure your care is well coordinated and supportive of your overall health.

A Holistic Approach to Gut Health

Digestive symptoms can sometimes be influenced by multiple factors, including diet, stress, lifestyle, gut microbiome balance, and food sensitivities.

Exploring these areas together can help many people gain a clearer understanding of their symptoms and feel more confident about supporting their digestive health.

If you are experiencing ongoing gut symptoms and would like a personalised approach to improving your digestive wellbeing, naturopathic care may help you better understand the factors influencing your health.

Your first naturopathic consultation helps build a clear picture of your health.

We will talk about your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, and goals. This helps create a personalised plan to support your wellbeing.

You do not need to bring everything listed below. However, these items can be helpful if you have them.

Bring These If You Have Them:

• Recent test results
• Medication and supplement lists
• Any specialist letters
• Notes on your symptoms
• Your health goals

Helpful Things to Bring to Your First Appointment

Recent Test Results

If you have had tests in the past 6–12 months, bring copies if possible.

These may include:

• Blood test results
• Stool or microbiome tests
• Breath tests (such as SIBO testing)
• Endoscopy reports
• Colonoscopy reports

These results can provide useful background information.

Medical Information

If you have seen other health professionals, their notes may also help.

Examples include:

• Letters from your GP
• Specialist reports
• Allergy testing results
• Food intolerance testing

Medications and Supplements

Please bring a list of everything you take regularly.

This includes:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins and minerals
• Herbal medicines
• Digestive enzymes
• Protein powders or nutritional supplements

Knowing what you take helps ensure your plan is safe and well coordinated.

Your Diet and Symptoms

It can also help to bring some basic information about your diet and symptoms.

You might include:

• A simple example of what you eat in a typical day
• A list of your main symptoms
• When symptoms tend to occur
• Foods that seem to trigger reactions

This helps identify patterns that may be affecting your health.

Your Health Goals

Think about what you would most like to improve.

For example:

• Better digestion
• Less bloating
• More stable energy
• Fewer food reactions
• Improved overall wellbeing
• Your goals help guide the direction of your care.

Questions You May Have

Many people bring a few questions to their first appointment.

Writing them down beforehand can help you remember everything you would like to ask.

A Supportive First Appointment

Your first consultation is relaxed and informative.

There is no need to have every detail prepared. Simply bring what you can remember and any information you have available.

From there, we can begin exploring the best ways to support your health.