Condition
Living with bloating, cramping or unpredictable bowels? At Mosaic Medical, we work with patients across the UK to offer a root-cause approach to IBS through personalised medical care, delivered online by GMC-registered functional medicine doctors.
A Root-Cause Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional digestive disorder characterised by ongoing symptoms without structural damage or another clear diagnosis. It is often diagnosed when no other underlying disease explains the symptoms.
Types of IBS include:
- IBS-D, where diarrhoea predominates
- IBS-C, where constipation predominates
- IBS-M, where symptoms are mixed
Common symptoms include:
- Bloating and gas
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating patterns
- Feeling of incomplete emptying after bowel movements
- Food sensitivities or unpredictable reactions to meals
Conventional treatment typically focuses on symptom management with medications, fibre supplements, or dietary adjustments. While helpful in the short term, this rarely explores the why behind IBS.
Many patients are advised to try a low-FODMAP diet, which can bring relief. Research suggests that following it for an extended period may affect the gut microbiome, so we aim to help you find a sustainable, long-term approach that supports both your microbiome and your overall wellbeing. Our article on moving beyond the IBS label explains how we think about this.
Our Functional Medicine Approach
At Mosaic Medical, we do not see IBS as a final diagnosis. Instead, we view it as a description of symptoms pointing to deeper root causes, and our goal is to identify and address those hidden drivers as part of your wider digestive and gut health picture.
We explore potential drivers such as:
- Gut microbiome health, including SIBO and dysbiosis
- Food intolerances and sensitivities
- Inflammation and immune activation
- Gut-brain axis dysfunction, including stress, trauma and vagus nerve involvement
- Motility disorders and gut infections
Personalised treatment may include:
- Comprehensive microbiome analysis, including our Gut Health MOT, and breath testing for SIBO
- Targeted antimicrobial or probiotic therapy
- Gut-healing nutrition that goes beyond FODMAP restrictions
- Stress regulation and nervous system support
What Makes Our IBS Care Different
Our clinic goes further than symptom control. We provide:
- Deep root-cause investigation, beyond standard IBS labels
- SIBO breath testing, stool analysis, and nutritional testing
- Advanced nutritional guidance personalised to your needs, with our registered nutritional therapist available for more complex cases
- Focus on the gut-brain connection and nervous system balance
- Medical safety and oversight from GMC-registered doctors
- A whole-person, collaborative model of care where you are central
Common Root Causes We Investigate
We take a broad, integrative view of what may be driving your IBS, including:
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Gut infections, including parasites, Candida and viruses
- Food sensitivities
- Intestinal hyperpermeability, often described as leaky gut
- Stress, trauma, or nervous system dysregulation
- Toxin exposure and detoxification challenges
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Digestive enzyme or bile acid issues
- Symptoms that overlap with histamine intolerance and MCAS or inflammatory bowel disease
By identifying and addressing these, we can reduce the impact of your symptoms and improve day-to-day wellbeing.
Online IBS consultations across the UK
Patients seek us out because they want:
You do not need a local functional medicine clinic to work with us. Every appointment is held by secure video call, wherever you are in the UK.
- Your first appointment lasts 90 minutes, and your doctor reviews your history in detail beforehand
- Test kits are sent to your home where the test allows, and results are reviewed with you
- We work alongside your GP or gastroenterologist, and coordinate any medication changes with them
- You can meet the doctors on our Meet the Team page and see consultation fees on our pricing page
FAQs about IBS and functional medicine
Do you test for SIBO or other root causes of IBS?
Yes. We use breath testing to detect SIBO and comprehensive stool analysis to check for infections, inflammation, and microbial imbalances.
What diet do you recommend for IBS?
There is no one-size-fits-all diet. Depending on your test results, we may recommend a short-term low-FODMAP plan, a gluten-free approach, or an elimination strategy, always with a plan for reintroduction and long-term microbiome support.
Can functional medicine help even if I have had IBS for years?
Many of our patients come to us after years of trial and error. Once we understand the drivers behind your symptoms, it becomes easier to design a plan that lasts.
Do you offer remote consultations?
Yes. We work virtually with patients throughout the UK.
How do appointments work?
Your first appointment lasts 90 minutes, and your doctor will have already reviewed your history in detail. Together, we will create a plan and decide on any necessary testing.
Does the appointment price include testing?
Testing is personalised and arranged separately. We only recommend what will make a genuine difference to your care.
I already have test results and a diagnosis. Can you still help?
Yes. You can upload your results before your consultation. If there are many, there may be a small preparation fee, but we will always confirm this with you in advance.
Do I have to take antibiotics for SIBO?
Not at all. There are multiple ways to treat SIBO, each with pros and cons. We will help you choose the most suitable option for your situation.
How does the nutrition side work?
We provide nutritional guidance tailored to your IBS. For complex cases, we recommend working with our nutritional therapist alongside your doctor to reach your goals more quickly.
Ready to Get to the Root of Your IBS?
We recommend starting with a free discovery call with one of our doctors or nutritional therapists. This gives you the opportunity to share your story, ask questions, and decide whether our approach is right for you.