The link between IBS and trauma: How nervous system regulation impacts digestion

As a kinesiologist, one of the most common issues I see in clients is digestive issues. Many people come to me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms such as constipation, loose stools, bloating, and discomfort. While diet and nutrition certainly play a key role in digestive health, there’s a major factor that is often overlooked as the cause of these challenges: unresolved trauma.

Trauma, the Nervous System, and Digestion

When we experience trauma—whether a big life event, ongoing stress, or toxic workplace environments, our nervous system shifts into survival mode. In these traumatised states, the body prioritises the threat response over regulation. This means functions like sleep and digestion are often disrupted. Even after the initial traumatic event has passed, the body can remain locked in patterns of hypervigilance.

One important piece of this puzzle is the relationship between cortisol and stomach acid. When cortisol levels rise due to prolonged stress or trauma, stomach acid production decreases. This impacts our ability to break down food effectively and can set the stage for ongoing digestive issues.

Hypervigilance and Digestive Shutdown

Hypervigilant states, where the body is on constant alert for danger, cannot coexist with regulation in the digestive tract. From the body’s perspective, digestion is not a priority when survival is on the line. This is why many people with trauma or chronic stress find themselves experiencing IBS-like symptoms.

• Constipation can be understood as a form of “holding pattern,” where the body literally holds on, unable to let go.

• Loose bowels often reflect the body’s inability to process what’s happening, either physically or emotionally.

The Role of Safety in Digestion

For digestion to function optimally, the body needs to feel safe. Interoceptive safety, the sense of safety within one’s own body, is crucial. Without it, the nervous system remains in fight/flight/freeze, preventing the parasympathetic “rest and digest” state from taking over.

Why Antacids Don’t Fix the Underlying Problem

Many people turn to over-the-counter medications like Gaviscon or other antacids for relief from heartburn or reflux. While these may provide temporary comfort, they do not address the underlying issue. In fact, they work by making the stomach more alkaline—when what’s actually needed is adequate stomach acid for proper digestion.

By reducing acidity, these medications can impair the body’s ability to break down food and absorb nutrients effectively. Long-term use can therefore be highly detrimental, preventing the establishment of healthy digestive function and masking the root causes of discomfort, which often involve stress, trauma, and nervous system imbalance.

It’s a bit like putting a plaster over the warning light on your car dashboard—it may stop you seeing the problem for a while, but the underlying issue is still there and could get worse without proper attention.

The Impact of Prolonged Stress on Eating Habits

When the adrenals are firing constantly in a prolonged fight/flight response, the body craves fast-burning fuels. This often means carbohydrates, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and other stimulants. These provide instant bursts of energy to keep the body going on the hamster wheel but usually at the cost of long-term regulation.

This cycle can lead to overconsumption of processed foods, further burdening the digestive tract. For some clients, part of the healing journey involves gently coming out of “withdrawal” from these foods and stimulants in order to reestablish homeostasis.

Everyday Trauma: More Common Than You Think

Trauma doesn’t always have to be a single, dramatic event. Everyday stressors such as:

• Rushing through meals

• Grabbing a sandwich while walking

• Working in toxic environments

all fall under the umbrella of trauma in the body. These experiences subtly tip the nervous system into states of hypervigilance, again disrupting digestion.

How Kinesiology Helps

Kinesiology is a powerful tool for illuminating the underlying factors contributing to digestive issues. By working directly with the body’s nervous system and energy systems, kinesiology helps restore balance, regulate stress responses, thus allowing digestion to function as it should. Many of my clients are surprised at how quickly their digestion improves when we address trauma and nervous system dysregulation alongside dietary support.

Client Experience

Here’s what two of my clients have said in recent Google reviews:

“I had been struggling with digestive issues for years, trying every diet change you can imagine. Nothing gave me lasting relief. Working with Luke was a game-changer. He helped me uncover how stress and old trauma were affecting my body. Within a few sessions, I noticed a huge improvement in my digestion and energy levels. I feel like I finally understand what my body needs. Highly recommended!”

“I’ve been seeing Luke Mullen for SIBO and underlying trauma.
This has been a game changer in terms of my treatment. Not only has Luke helped me with my SIBO and the underlying causes, but he’s also done both private and class-based TRE with me which has been very powerful and allowed me to release trauma from my body.”

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been dealing with IBS or other digestive struggles, it’s worth considering the role trauma and stress may be playing. Healing isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about creating safety and regulation in the nervous system so your body can do what it wants to do naturally; rest, digest, and thrive.

Interested in kinesiology for digestive health? Visit www.luke-mullen.com to learn more and book a session.