Why a Functional Medicine Doctor May Be the Missing Link in Your Chronic Constipation Treatment
Chronic constipation can significantly affect your energy, mood, and overall well-being. For many people, conventional treatments like fiber supplements, laxatives, or stool softeners provide temporary relief but fail to solve the underlying issue. If you’ve tried everything and still don’t feel better, it may be time to explore a functional medicine approach.
At Benehealth in Surprise, Arizona, our functional medicine doctors go beyond surface-level symptoms to identify and address the root cause of chronic constipation. Here’s how our method may be the missing link to finally finding lasting relief.
Understanding Functional Medicine and How It Differs
Functional medicine is a patient-centered, science-based approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of disease rather than just treating symptoms. Unlike traditional medicine, which may offer quick symptom-based fixes, functional medicine takes into account your genetics, lifestyle, environment, and nutrition to form a complete picture of your health.
At Benehealth’s Functional Medicine clinic in Surprise, AZ, we specialize in helping patients find lasting solutions to chronic digestive issues—including constipation—through customized treatment plans rooted in advanced diagnostics and whole-body healing.
Chronic Constipation: It’s More Than a Digestive Issue
Chronic constipation is often defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week, along with symptoms like bloating, straining, or a sense of incomplete evacuation. But from a functional medicine perspective, constipation is rarely just about the colon.
Some of the deeper root causes we investigate include:
- Gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis)
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
- Low stomach acid or enzyme deficiencies
- Stress and elevated cortisol levels
- Food sensitivities or intolerances
Instead of suppressing symptoms, we identify what’s actually contributing to slowed transit time in the gut—and build a personalized treatment strategy around those findings.
The Role of the Gut-Brain Axis and Inflammation
One of the most overlooked contributors to chronic constipation is the gut-brain axis—the communication network between your gut and central nervous system. Stress, poor sleep, and anxiety can all impact gut motility. Functional medicine evaluates your nervous system and lifestyle patterns to assess whether stress is playing a role in your bowel irregularity.
Additionally, chronic low-grade inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract is common among patients dealing with Crohn’s disease or similar inflammatory bowel conditions. If you suspect your constipation may be linked to an inflammatory issue, we encourage you to explore our page on Crohn’s Disease and Functional Medicine to understand how we approach diagnosis and healing.
Advanced Testing for Personalized Results
At Benehealth, we use comprehensive functional labs that assess gut bacteria, markers of inflammation, nutrient absorption, hormone balance, and food sensitivities. This data helps us pinpoint the root causes of constipation, such as:
- Overgrowth of bad bacteria or yeast
- Underproduction of bile or digestive enzymes
- Thyroid hormone imbalances
- Inflammatory markers linked to autoimmune responses
Armed with this information, we design a treatment plan specific to your body—no one-size-fits-all protocols. You may be surprised to find that your constipation is linked to an entirely different system, such as your endocrine or nervous system.
Healing Through a Whole-Body Plan
Functional medicine treatment plans for constipation typically include a combination of:
- Nutritional guidance and gut-healing foods
- Targeted supplements (such as probiotics, magnesium, or digestive enzymes)
- Lifestyle interventions (stress management, hydration strategies, and sleep hygiene)
- Mind-body support (to regulate the gut-brain axis)
By treating the whole person, not just the symptom, we often see patients report improved energy, reduced bloating, clearer skin, and more regular bowel movements—even if they’ve struggled with constipation for years.
Ready to Heal? Take the First Step Today
If you’re tired of temporary solutions and want to finally get to the bottom of your chronic constipation, working with a functional medicine doctor could be the turning point. Our team at Benehealth in Surprise, AZ, is committed to uncovering the why behind your symptoms and designing a path to wellness that works for you.
Visit us to learn more about how we approach digestive health, or browse our services to explore all our integrative services. If you’re ready to begin, contact us to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward feeling better.