GUT health doctor
When Your Gut Is Off, You Feel It Everywhere
Bloating, pain, constipation, diarrhea and IBS can affect far more than digestion. We look beyond your symptoms to understand why your gut isn’t getting better.



















Virtual and In-Person Appointments Available
Digestive Problems Can Affect Your Whole Life
Content by Dr. Christopher Johnson, ND | Founder of Thrive Naturopathic, in Alexandria, VA
When your gut isn’t working well, it’s hard to ignore. You may plan meals around what you think you can tolerate, worry about where the nearest bathroom is or go through your day feeling bloated, uncomfortable or simply not quite right.
And often, it doesn’t stop with digestion. Chronic gut problems can leave you feeling tired, foggy, irritable and less able to enjoy the things you normally do.
Whether you’re dealing with IBS, IBD, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, reflux or another ongoing digestive issue, you want more than temporary relief — you want to understand why it keeps happening and what you can do to actually change things in a meaningful and long-term way.
Your Gut Doesn't Work in Isolation
In my time in practice, I’ve worked with more than 1,000 people with digestive symptoms. And one of the most important things I’ve learned is that gut problems rarely exist in isolation.
You might think that your gut function is determined entirely by the foods you eat. And that is a reasonable enough idea. But in actuality, there is a lot more to the picture.
What I’ve noticed over the years is that the gut is significantly influenced by the nervous system and stress response, by immune function, by hormones, the liver and bile function, diet and the intestinal microbiome. And the relationship goes both ways: when the gut isn’t functioning well, it can affect energy, mental clarity, mood and how you feel overall.
That’s why I don’t look at bloating, constipation, diarrhea or IBS as isolated symptoms. I look at the larger pattern — what may be affecting your gut and how your gut may be affecting the rest of you.
Why Do Digestive Problems Keep Coming Back?
By the time someone comes to me usually they have already tried a lot — changing their diet, avoiding certain foods, taking probiotics or supplements or using medications. Some have had extensive testing and been told that everything looks normal, yet they still don’t feel well.
In my experience, persistent digestive symptoms usually aren’t about finding one missing supplement or one “bad” food. There may be several factors contributing at the same time — from motility and the microbiome to digestion, immune activity and the nervous system.
The key is figuring out which factors actually matter for you. That’s often where I find we can make progress when more generic approaches haven’t worked.
Functional Medicine Treatments To Improve Gut Health & Digestive Issues
At Thrive Naturopathic, our functional medicine doctors offer a range of holistic treatments to address digestive issues and poor gut health. We can’t stress it enough. Every patient is unique, and this means we have to come up with an effective combination of therapies.
Our three most common digestive issue treatments are:
Nervous System and Stress Response Balancing
The single most important aspect of gut health is the signals your brain and nervous system send into it. The Vagus nerve runs from your brain literally straight into the stomach, esophagus and intestines. The signals your brain and nervous system send to the gut are the primary determinant of your gut health. If you are sending stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline or stress peptides down into the gut tissues, the gut will be inflamed and not function properly — causing acid reflux, gastritis, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, etc.
Individualized Diet and Nutrition
Our team of functional medicine practitioners can help you identify and eliminate trigger foods from your diet, as well as provide guidance on how to make healthy dietary choices that support gut health naturally. Each person has different needs, so we utilize a process to help you figure out exactly what works for your system. Even minor irritants to the gut can lead to ongoing, chronic health issues, so it is important to give your system the exact foods it needs.
Detoxification
Apart from the brain and nervous system, the liver is the other most important organ which influences gut health. The liver produces bile and directs many functions within the small intestines. When we detoxify the body, what we really are doing is improving the function and efficiency of the liver. This has a strongly beneficial impact on gut health, helping you digest foods much more easily.
Our team will work with you to create a personalized plan that addresses the root cause of your symptoms and helps you feel your best. Reach out to us to learn about all the ways we can help with improving gut health.
We Treat All Causes of Digestive Issues in Alexandria, VA
Some of the most common causes of digestive issues and poor gut health include poor diet, stress, inflammation, and imbalances in gut bacteria. Additionally, food sensitivities, infections, and certain medications can also contribute to digestive issues.
By taking a thorough health history and running tests, our holistic gut health doctors in Alexandria, VA, can identify the root cause of your symptoms and develop a customized treatment plan.
Everyone’s gut is unique, and rarely do we find one singular cause behind chronic digestive issues. In most cases, there are a constellation of factors at play, and it’s our job to uncover what’s going on with your digestive symptoms.
But don’t worry. This is our expertise. We’ve helped hundreds of people in the Washington, DC area uncover and treat the root causes of their symptoms.
Don't Give Up Hope of Finding Digestive Relief
If you’re struggling with digestive issues in Washington, DC, know that there is hope for finding relief. At Thrive Naturopathic, we’re here to help you get to the root of the problem and find long-lasting relief. Whether you’re dealing with a chronic condition or just occasional symptoms, we’re here to help you feel your best.
If you’re ready to take control of your digestive health, we invite you to learn more about our functional medicine services. Our clinic in Washington, DC is now accepting new patients, and we would be honored to help you on your journey to wellness. Sign up for a complimentary discovery call with our team to get started today.
Meet Dr. Christopher Johnson
Dr. Christopher Johnson is a naturopathic doctor and founder of Thrive Naturopathic in Alexandria, Virginia. Over the past 18+ years, he has worked with more than 3,000 patients, with a focus on midlife hormone health, metabolic and stress-related health concerns using functional medicine.
His approach helps patients better understand and address the patterns behind their symptoms through structured, systems-based care.
Former Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine and former Vice President of the Virginia Association of Naturopathic Physicians.