Persistent bloating can affect more than just your digestion; it can impact your energy, confidence, sleep, and overall wellbeing.
Emma Hickey, Naturopath, helps you explore alternative solutions to your bloating through personalised care, evidence-based functional testing, and holistic strategies.
Why Bloating Happens and Why It Won’t Just Go Away on Its Own
Bloating is more than occasional discomfort after a meal. It can be caused by:
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Gut dysbiosis (microbial imbalance)
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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
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Food intolerances and/or sensitivities (gluten, dairy, FODMAPs)
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Hormonal fluctuations (thyroid, menopause, menstrual cycle)
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Stress and lifestyle factors
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Nutrient deficiencies
Bloating isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s your body signalling that something is off inside. Left unchecked, it can contribute to fatigue, poor sleep, and further digestive distress.
How Bloating and Gut Health Are Connected
Your gut plays a central role in digestion, immunity, hormones, and even brain function. Chronic bloating is often a symptom of an underlying gut imbalance:
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Imbalanced gut bacteria can create excess gas and slow digestion
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Gut inflammation can trigger abdominal distension
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Poor gut function can affect the way in which food is broken down
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SIBO and food intolerances often manifest as recurring bloating
How Naturopathy Can Improve Bloating Outcomes
Emma uses a personalised, holistic approach to target possible alternative causes of your bloating, not just the symptoms.
Strategies may include:
Functional Testing
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Microbiome testing (GI Map, Nutripath)
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SIBO breath testing
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Food sensitivity & intolerance testing
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Hormone, thyroid, genetic & organic acids testing
Personalised Nutrition & Lifestyle
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Tailored dietary advice and food swaps
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Stress reduction, sleep support, and activity guidance
Herbal & Nutritional Support
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Evidence-based herbal formulations
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Vitamins, minerals, and probiotics to restore gut balance and resolve deficiencies
Holistic, Integrative Care
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Works in collaboration with GPs and specialists
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Focused on safe, effective, long-term results
“With targeted, natural strategies, you can begin to enjoy meals without worry, regain energy, and feel confident in your body.”
Clinical Studies Supporting Naturopathy and Bloating
A review article outlining various methods for improving bloating found that dietary changes significantly improved bloating for some people. It also stated that certain probiotics and certain herbs had a beneficial impact too. The review also discusses the use of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals that act as antispasmodics, secretagogues, prokinetics and neuromodulators, and found them to be effective.
Within naturopathy we have many herbs to choose from that have these same actions in the body, albeit to a less strong extent than the pharmaceutical alternative. This highlights the importance of multi-layered approach, combining naturopathic therapies so that the benefits can be compounded.
Reference: Lacy BE, Cangemi D, & Vazquez-Roque M. Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating. J Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(2):P219-231.E1 doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056.
When to See Your GP
While bloating can be related to diet or gut imbalances, you may need to see your GP for a formal diagnosis.
Emma works alongside your GP or specialist when needed, ensuring naturopathic care complements conventional medical treatment safely and effectively.
About Emma Hickey (Naturopath)
Emma is a certified Naturopath (Bachelor of Health Science) and Holistic Nutritionist (Diploma, Canada) with a background in education, giving her a unique ability to simplify complex health information.
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550+ clinical consultations supporting gut health, autoimmune conditions, paediatrics, menopause, and brain health
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Extensive experience in functional testing: microbiome, SIBO, hormone, genetic, and organic acids testing
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Combines modern science with traditional naturopathic wisdom
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Holistic care addressing gut, mood, hormones, energy, sleep, and immunity
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Empowers clients through education, coaching, and actionable strategies
“Emma doesn’t just treat symptoms, she helps you understand your gut, restore balance, and reclaim your life.”
Symptoms & Conditions Emma Commonly Supports
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Gas, bloating, and abdominal distension
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Constipation, diarrhoea, or irregular bowel movements
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Food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, FODMAPs)
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Fatigue, low energy, and brain fog
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Stress-related digestive symptoms
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Poor sleep and sugar cravings
What to Expect in Your Consultation
Comprehensive Health Assessment
An exploration of your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle evaluation
Functional Test Interpretation
Clear, personalised explanation of your gut microbiome and other test results
Personalised Treatment Plan
Dietary strategies, nutritional and herbal supplementation, lifestyle adjustments
Ongoing Support & Coaching
Access to guidance and tools to keep you on track for long-term results
See How Others Have Transformed Their Gut Health
Our clients’ success stories bloom like vibrant flowers in a thriving garden, each one a testament to renewed gut health and vitality.
Your Possible Next Step
Unlike other Naturopathic services, at The Gut Guy, we believe in more of a personal touch.
If you feel like we might be able to help, you can schedule a phone call with our Founder / Managing Director, The Gut Guy, or commonly known as Josh.
This call is complimentary and is pretty basic.
It’s really more for The Gut Guy to understand more about your symptoms, current treatment plan and what results you're getting.
He will then compare your current results to what you might be wanting, to see what that GAP looks like.
And towards the end of the call, if you feel like our solution might be what you’re looking for, he can then talk about possible next steps.
Would that help you?
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