Chiropractor in Branson, MO for Pain Relief & Better Health
Chiropractic • Shockwave Therapy • Functional Health
(417) 545-3635
574 State Hwy 248 #4, Branson, MO 65616
Quick Summary
Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, and abdominal pain are not just uncomfortable — they are signals that something in your digestive system needs attention. At Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO, we take a functional medicine approach to gut health: we look for the root cause of your symptoms rather than simply managing them with medications that mask the problem.
Digestive Symptoms We Commonly See
- Bloating after meals or throughout the day
- Gas and abdominal discomfort
- Constipation or irregular bowel movements
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Alternating constipation and diarrhea
- Acid reflux or heartburn
- Nausea after eating
- Food sensitivities or reactions
- Undigested food in stools
- Abdominal cramping or pain
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Brain fog, fatigue, or mood issues alongside gut symptoms
- Skin problems (eczema, acne, rashes) connected to gut
- History of antibiotic use followed by digestive changes
- IBS diagnosis without a clear treatment plan that works
If several of these sound familiar, a functional evaluation of your gut may be the missing piece.
When the Gut Barrier Breaks Down
The intestinal lining is designed to be selectively permeable — letting nutrients through while keeping bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles out. When this barrier is compromised (often called "leaky gut" or intestinal hyperpermeability), those particles enter the bloodstream and trigger immune reactions, inflammation, food sensitivities, and a wide range of symptoms that may seem unrelated to digestion. We evaluate gut permeability as part of comprehensive digestive assessment.
Too Much Bacteria in the Wrong Place
SIBO occurs when bacteria from the large intestine migrate into the small intestine, where they ferment carbohydrates and produce gas — causing bloating, distension, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, or both. SIBO is very common in patients with IBS and is frequently missed. Many patients labeled with IBS actually have SIBO as the underlying cause.
An Imbalanced Microbiome
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that play a critical role in digestion, immune function, hormone metabolism, and mood. When the balance of these organisms is disrupted — through antibiotics, stress, poor diet, or illness — dysbiosis can develop. This leads to impaired digestion, increased inflammation, and a wide range of systemic symptoms. We can assess the microbiome through comprehensive stool analysis.
Hidden Infections That Disrupt Digestion
Parasitic infections, H. pylori overgrowth, and other gut pathogens can persist for years without being detected on standard testing. They commonly cause bloating, nausea, reflux, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight changes. Comprehensive stool testing that goes beyond standard panels is often needed to identify these.
Reflux Is Often a Low Acid Problem, Not High Acid
Contrary to what most people assume, chronic acid reflux and heartburn are frequently caused by too little stomach acid rather than too much. Low stomach acid impairs protein digestion, allows bacteria to overgrow in the upper GI tract, and causes food to ferment rather than digest — producing the gas and pressure that forces acid upward. We evaluate stomach acid function as part of digestive assessment.
The Foods You Eat Every Day May Be Driving Your Symptoms
Unlike food allergies, food sensitivities produce delayed reactions — sometimes 24 to 72 hours after eating — making them very difficult to identify without testing. Common culprits include gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, and nightshades, but reactions are highly individual. We use elimination protocols and targeted testing to help identify your specific triggers.
How We Evaluate Your Gut Health
We use advanced testing that goes well beyond standard GI panels:
- Comprehensive stool analysis (microbiome diversity, pathogens, parasites, digestive markers)
- Intestinal permeability assessment
- H. pylori testing
- Food sensitivity panels when indicated
- Organic acids testing for microbial metabolites
- Inflammatory markers (calprotectin, CRP)
- Nutritional markers affected by malabsorption (B12, iron, Vitamin D, zinc)
- Full thyroid panel when constipation or motility issues are present
Testing is always tailored to your specific symptom picture and history.
A Personalized Gut Healing Plan
Your care plan may include:
- Targeted antimicrobial or probiotic protocols based on your test findings
- Gut repair support (nutrients that restore the intestinal lining)
- Elimination or rotation diet to identify and remove food triggers
- Digestive enzyme and stomach acid support
- Microbiome restoration strategies
- Stress management (the gut-brain axis means stress directly impacts gut function)
- Dietary guidance tailored to your specific gut findings
- Supplement protocols based on your individual deficiencies
- Coordination with GI specialists when structural or inflammatory bowel disease is suspected
The Science Behind Our Approach
1. Gut microbiome and systemic health: The gut microbiome influences immune regulation, neurotransmitter production, hormone metabolism, and inflammatory status. Dysbiosis has been linked to conditions ranging from IBS and IBD to autoimmune disease, depression, and metabolic syndrome. (Source: Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology)
2. SIBO prevalence in IBS: Studies estimate that SIBO may be present in 30–85% of patients with irritable bowel syndrome, suggesting that a significant portion of IBS diagnoses represent an unidentified underlying cause rather than a true functional disorder. (Source: American Journal of Gastroenterology)
3. Intestinal permeability and inflammation: Research has demonstrated that increased intestinal permeability allows bacterial endotoxins (LPS) to enter the bloodstream, triggering systemic inflammation that contributes to metabolic dysfunction, autoimmunity, and mood disorders. (Source: Gut, BMJ)
Meet Your Functional Health Team
Tara Peterson
Certified Functional Health Coach
Tara is the person you'll work with throughout your Functional Health journey. She takes the time to understand your health history, symptoms, nutrition, lifestyle, and goals. She helps you make sense of the information we gather and works with you to put your personalized plan into action. Tara also provides the ongoing guidance, education, and accountability that can make healthy changes easier to understand and maintain.
Dr. Jeni St. Onge, DC, CFMP
Chiropractor & Certified Functional Medicine Provider
Dr. Jeni St. Onge is a chiropractor and Certified Functional Medicine Provider and provides oversight and guidance for Thrive's Functional Health program. Her training in functional health helps shape our approach of looking beyond individual symptoms and considering the bigger picture — including nutrition, lifestyle, metabolic health, hormones, digestion, and other factors that may be contributing to how someone feels. Together, our goal is to help you better understand your health and give you a clear, practical path forward.
What to Expect at Your Initial Report Of Findings Visit (after the Free Consultation to eligibility)
Your first visit is a deep evaluation — not a 10-minute check-in:
-
Comprehensive health history: We spend time understanding your full symptom picture, timeline, previous diagnoses, medications, and what you've already tried.
-
Review of lab findings: We explain what we found and to identify patterns that may have been previously missed.
-
Initial recommendations: We will offer nutritional, lifestyle, or supplement recommendations to start addressing drivers we've identified.
-
A Plan laid out so that you can actually make the changes that will get the results and help you regain your health.
Initial visits typically run 60-75 minutes. Telehealth options are available. No referral is needed.
When We May Refer You Elsewhere
Functional medicine hormone care is not a replacement for all medical care. Situations where we will refer you to the appropriate specialist. We will coordinate with or refer to a gastroenterologist or specialist if we identify:
- Suspected inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis)
- Blood in stool or unexplained weight loss requiring colonoscopy
- Signs of celiac disease requiring biopsy confirmation
- Structural GI issues requiring imaging or endoscopy
- Suspected colorectal cancer screening needs
- Severe malnutrition or malabsorption requiring GI management
- Liver or pancreatic dysfunction
Frequently Asked Questions About Digestive Health
Q: What causes chronic bloating?
A: Chronic bloating most commonly comes from SIBO (bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine), gut dysbiosis, food sensitivities, low stomach acid, or intestinal motility problems. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and identifying the cause is the key to resolving it.
Q: Is IBS a real diagnosis?
A: IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a real pattern of symptoms, but it is not a root-cause diagnosis — it describes what is happening, not why. Many patients diagnosed with IBS have SIBO, gut dysbiosis, food sensitivities, or intestinal permeability as the underlying driver. We look for that driver.
Q: Can gut problems cause brain fog and fatigue?
A: Yes. The gut-brain axis is a well-established bidirectional communication system. Gut dysbiosis, intestinal permeability, and chronic gut inflammation can all contribute to brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, and mood changes — sometimes before obvious digestive symptoms appear.
Q: What is leaky gut and is it real?
A: Intestinal hyperpermeability (leaky gut) is a well-documented phenomenon in the research literature. It occurs when the tight junctions between intestinal cells break down, allowing undigested particles and bacteria to cross into the bloodstream. This triggers immune activation and inflammation that can manifest as food sensitivities, skin problems, fatigue, and autoimmune symptoms.
Q: I've had a colonoscopy and everything was normal. Why do I still have symptoms?
A: A colonoscopy assesses the structure of the large intestine but does not evaluate the small intestine, the microbiome, gut permeability, stomach acid function, or the presence of SIBO. Many functional gut problems are simply not visible on structural imaging — they require functional testing to identify.
Q: Can stress cause digestive problems?
A: Absolutely. The enteric nervous system in the gut is sometimes called the "second brain" and is directly responsive to psychological stress. Stress slows motility, alters gut bacteria composition, increases intestinal permeability, and reduces digestive enzyme output.
Q: What is the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?
A: A food allergy involves an immediate IgE immune response (like anaphylaxis to peanuts). A food sensitivity involves a delayed IgG or IgA immune response — symptoms may appear hours or days after eating the offending food, making it very difficult to identify without testing or a structured elimination protocol.
Q: How do I get started?
A: Schedule a free consultation at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO. Call (417) 545-3635 or click the booking button below. We will review your digestive history and help determine the right testing and next steps for your situation.