You’re Not Crazy, and It’s Not “Just IBS”

If you’ve been told “all your tests are normal”, that you need to “just manage it”, or that your gut symptoms are “probably stress”, I want you to hear this clearly:

Your symptoms are real. And there is always a reason your gut is behaving the way it is.

As a naturopath with over 20 years of clinical experience working almost exclusively with IBS and chronic gut complaints, I see this story every single week. People arrive exhausted, confused, teary and doubting themselves — not because their symptoms are mild, but because they’ve been dismissed.

This blog is for anyone who feels like they’ve tried everything… and is still bloated, in pain, running to the toilet, constipated, reacting to foods, or living with constant anxiety around what their gut is going to do next!!

“All Your Tests Are Normal”… So Why Do You Feel So Bad?

When doctors say your tests are normal, what they usually mean is that serious disease has been ruled out — things like inflammatory bowel disease, Coeliac disease, cancer, or overt pathology. That is important information, but it is not the same thing as confirming that your gut is functioning well.
(Plus I always ensure with new patients & members this has actually been done correctly)

This gap between disease-based testing and functional digestive health is where many people with IBS fall through the cracks.

One of the most frustrating things for my patients is being told nothing is wrong — when what their gut is doing everyday, feels the total opposite.

Here’s the truth most people are never told:

Standard medical tests are designed to rule out disease — not to explain functional gut issues.

That means you can have:

• Severe bloating

• IBS-D, IBS-C, or mixed symptoms

• Pain, gas, reflux, nausea

• Food reactions

• Fatigue and brain fog

…and still be told everything looks “normal”.

Normal tests do not mean:

• Digestion is working optimally and that you are breaking down and absorbing foods normally.

• The microbiome is balanced and that you don’t have any dysbiosis (an imbalance in bacteria). But you and I can test this.

• Gut motility is healthy, meaning your gut is moving and propelling food and then stool normally.

• The gut lining is intact, which helps your gut be in the best shape and keeps your digestion optimal and food reactions down.

• The nervous system is regulating digestion properly, which means the gut-brain axis is working well for you and not dysfunctional, which can cause a whole host of issues.

It simply means no red flags were found — and that’s where most people are left, still searching for answers on their own.

Why “Just Managing IBS” Isn’t Good Enough

IBS is often framed as a lifelong condition with symptom management as the end goal. Clinically, this mindset is one of the biggest barriers to real improvement, because you look for symptoms control and not underlying causes. When people are told they must simply manage IBS, it subtly communicates that nothing deeper can be done. Over time, this leads to frustration, food fear, and a loss of trust in the body.

IBS rarely appears out of nowhere. In clinic, when we take a detailed history and look beyond basic testing, IBS symptoms usually make sense. They follow patterns — patterns that can be assessed, supported, and improved.

Below are some of the most common functional drivers of IBS that are frequently overlooked in conventional care. In my clinic, we look at IBS through a root-cause lens. When we do that, patterns emerge.

Some of the most common underlying contributors I see include:

1. Poor Digestion (Not Enough Acid or Enzymes)

If food isn’t broken down properly, it ferments — leading to bloating, gas, reflux, and discomfort. I call this type the Low-Fire Gut.

2. Gut Motility Issues

Stress, trauma, a busy nervous system, adhesions, or lack of movement can slow or disrupt how food moves through the gut. When motility slows significantly or gets stuck, it causes food to be more fermented and allows toxins from the gut to be re-absorbed. I call this the Stuck-Gut type.

3. Overgrowths and Imbalances

This includes SIBO, fungal overgrowth, parasites, or an imbalanced microbiome — all of which can exist even when routine tests are “normal”. But these issues can be uncovered with 2 tests I use often in clinic that are considered the gold standard in their field. I call this gut type the Bugged

4. Gut Lining and Immune Activation

A compromised gut lining can drive food reactions, inflammation, and hypersensitivity. When the barrier is compromised this reduces enzyme production, allows food to interact with the immune system and drives inflammation. I call this one the Leaky Barrier Gut.

5. Nervous System Dysregulation

The gut and brain are deeply connected. A gut that’s stuck in fight-or-flight will not heal, digest or move properly, no matter how perfect the diet is. This gut pattern is the Stressed Gut.

These are the pieces that are often missed — and they’re the reason symptoms keep coming back.

How I Help People Who Feel Like They’ve Tried Everything

Many of my patients arrive feeling cautious. They’ve done multiple tests, seen specialists, tried diets, supplements, and medications — often with little improvement, no lasting changes or worse, severe flares. The shift happens when we stop asking “What diet should I try next?” and start asking “Why is your gut reacting like this in the first place, what’s driving this?”

My approach is different because it’s not about chasing symptoms.

Using The Tummy Rescue Method, I help people:

• Understand why their gut is reacting

• Identify their dominant gut pattern

• Stop unnecessary restriction

• Rebuild digestion from the top down

• Restore confidence in food and their body

This is not a one-size-fits-all protocol. Two people can both be told they have IBS — and need completely different support. That’s why your gut type and discovering it matters.

You’re Not Failing — The System Has Gaps

Modern healthcare is excellent at identifying disease. It is far less equipped to explain functional digestive problems, nervous system-driven symptoms, or microbiome-related issues when scans and blood work are normal.

Being dismissed does not mean your symptoms are insignificant. It means the framework being used is incomplete. If you’ve felt dismissed, minimised, or like you’re not being taken seriously — there is nothing wrong with you. You’ve simply been looking in a system that isn’t designed to answer functional gut questions.

And that’s where naturopathic, root-cause care can change everything, especially when you work with someone highly experienced.

A Final Word If This Feels Personal

If this article resonates, it’s likely because you’ve spent a long time questioning yourself — wondering if you’re overreacting, being difficult, or failing to cope. IBS is not a personal weakness. It is a sign that your gut, nervous system, and environment are out of sync. With the right lens, the right education, and a personalised plan, the gut is remarkably capable of healing.

IBS is not something you need to “just live with”.

Your gut isn’t broken, it’s just not working correctly.

And your symptoms are not random, even though they can feel that way right now.

With the right framework, the right support, and a plan that actually makes sense for your body — change is possible. If you’re ready to stop managing symptoms and start understanding them, this is exactly the work I do.

You’re not alone — and you’re not imagining it.

Join our Live Workshop to finally understand your gut and take control of your health.

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Discover the 5 Hidden IBS Patterns that keep you stuck—and why diets alone don’t work!

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The heartbeat

behind the work! 💚✨

🌿

I am Danielle Elliott a qualified Naturopath and the owner of Tummy Rescue.

I have been helping kids & adults improve their health for over 20 years, with the last 16 years concentrating on helping patients with any kind of gut disorder. I began focussing on everything gut related after my husband was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. And lucky I did……as my husband and both our kids have Coeliac Disease and my daughter has a dairy protein allergy.

So…. I am well and truly where I am meant to be!

I love being able to help people to soothe and calm their symptoms, investigate the causes and support and improve their gut function.

I also get to write educational pieces to train practitioners and am often interviewed for podcasts and summits, which is another really rewarding part of my work. I love educating people (this is something I do in every consult), because I do believe knowledge is power. It gives you the tools to make the changes you need to!

So, when you opt-in to my E-book, you are beginning on a journey of learning and discovery, of how you can reduce your symptoms of bloating, gas & pain and improve your gut health.

I would be honoured to help you along the way.

Danielle ✖️🧡✖️🧡