NYC’s Leading Integrative Health Care Center
NYC’s Leading Integrative Health Care Center
Medically reviewed by Rashmi Gulati, MD — Last updated: September 26, 2026
Functional and integrative gastroenterology care, led by physicians on Fifth Avenue, for bloating, IBS, SIBO, reflux, constipation and diarrhea that hasn’t settled. We test for the causes, build a step-by-step plan around diet, the gut microbiome and the gut-brain connection, and work alongside board-certified gastroenterologists when you need a scope.
Integrative care since 1974
New patient consultations
Testing, plan & follow-up
Functional gastroenterology, also called integrative gastroenterology, looks for why digestion has gone wrong, then treats those causes rather than just the symptoms. At Patients Medical that means a long first visit, targeted tests such as breath tests for SIBO and stool or blood tests, and a plan that may combine diet changes, treatment of bacterial overgrowth, reflux care, gut-brain therapies and nutrient repletion. A gastroenterologist performs procedures like colonoscopy and endoscopy; we arrange those when your symptoms call for one.
Guided diets, SIBO and reflux care, gut-brain therapies, nutrient repletion
Consultation and targeted testing first, then a plan that treats causes in order
Adults with ongoing gut symptoms, or told “your scope is normal” but still unwell
Many notice changes within weeks; long-standing problems usually take months
Our care is for adults whose digestive symptoms keep coming back, haven’t settled with over-the-counter remedies, or remain after tests came back normal. IBS alone affects about 12% of people in the US, and women up to twice as often as men.
Not sure where to start? Read gut health doctor vs. gastroenterologist or what gut health means.
Your plan addresses whichever of these your history and testing point to. Inflammatory bowel disease and ulcers are managed alongside your gastroenterologist.
Each common cause of ongoing gut symptoms has a matching treatment, based on current gastroenterology guidelines. Every step is supervised by a physician.
Diagnosed from your symptoms and a few targeted tests, not by ruling out everything. Treated with diet, gut-brain therapy and medicine when needed.
Confirmed with a breath test, then treated with a targeted antibiotic. Methane overgrowth is linked to constipation and treated differently.
An 8-week acid-reducer trial for classic symptoms, meal timing and sleep position changes, then a plan to step down medicine when you can.
A guided, time-limited elimination and reintroduction diet such as low-FODMAP, plus testing for celiac disease before anyone cuts out gluten.
Gut-directed therapies and stress care, which gastroenterology guidelines now recommend as part of standard IBS treatment, not a last resort.
Fiber, fluid and movement plans, a check for methane overgrowth, thyroid and medication causes, and pelvic-floor referral when needed.
Blood and stool markers to separate inflammation from functional symptoms, and repletion of iron, B12 or vitamin D found low.
Warning signs or age-based screening are referred to a board-certified gastroenterologist for endoscopy or colonoscopy.
Four clear steps, so you always know what is being tested, what is being treated and what comes next.
A 60–90 minute first visit covering your symptoms, diet, medications, stress, sleep and past tests, plus a screen for warning signs.
As appropriate: breath testing for SIBO, stool tests, celiac and inflammation blood tests, and nutrient levels. Breath tests need a short prep, which we explain in advance.
Your physician treats the most important findings first, in order, so you aren’t trying ten fixes at once.
Regular check-ins adjust treatment, bring foods back in, and taper medicines you no longer need.
Most plans combine two or more of these. Your physician recommends only what your results and symptoms support.
A structured low-FODMAP or elimination phase, followed by planned reintroduction so your diet doesn’t stay restricted for good.
Breath-test-confirmed overgrowth treated with a gut-targeted antibiotic, then steps to address what allowed it, such as slow motility or medications.
Acid control where needed, H. pylori testing and treatment, and meal-timing and sleep changes, with a planned attempt to step medicine down once symptoms settle.
Stress reduction, breathing techniques and referral for gut-directed psychotherapy, which IBS guidelines recommend alongside diet and medicine.
An anti-inflammatory diet, treatment of underlying triggers and careful use of supplements, reviewed against your other medicines.
Fiber, fluid and activity targets, a review of constipating medicines, and treatment for methane overgrowth when breath testing finds it.
Used selectively: soluble fiber and peppermint oil for some IBS symptoms. Probiotics are matched to a clear reason, since the AGA doesn’t recommend them for bloating.
Iron, B12, vitamin D and others found low on testing, restored by mouth or IV when absorption is poor, then rechecked.
Referral to board-certified gastroenterologists for endoscopy, colonoscopy or IBD care, with results folded back into your plan.
Serving New York patients since 1974.
60–90 minute first visits, so diet, stress, sleep and medications are all part of the picture.
Breath, stool and blood tests chosen from your symptoms, not a one-size panel. Stool testing explained
We coordinate with gastroenterologists so warning signs and screening are never skipped.
These roles work best together. A gastroenterologist rules out and treats structural disease; functional gastroenterology care spends the time on the problems that remain.
| GASTROENTEROLOGY VISIT | OUR INTEGRATIVE GASTROENTEROLOGY CARE | SELF-MANAGING AT HOME | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Finding and treating structural or inflammatory disease | Functional causes: diet, microbiome, motility, gut-brain | Day-to-day symptom relief |
| Procedures | Endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsies | Arranged with a gastroenterologist when needed | None |
| Testing | Scopes, imaging, standard labs | Breath tests, stool and blood markers, nutrient levels | Food and symptom diary |
| First visit | Usually a shorter appointment | 60–90 minutes with a physician | None |
| Typical treatments | Prescription medicines, procedures | Guided diet, SIBO treatment, gut-brain therapy, nutrients, medicines when needed | Antacids, over-the-counter probiotics, cutting foods |
| Follow-up | As needed | Scheduled visits with plan adjustments | None |
Your physician coordinates with your primary care doctor and gastroenterologist when needed. More in gut health doctor vs. gastroenterologist.
Gut symptoms rarely travel alone. Poor absorption can leave you low in iron or B12, broken sleep from reflux drains energy, and the gut-brain connection links digestion with mood. When these show up together, your plan covers both.
Individual results vary. Your physician will set realistic goals with you at your first visit.
| 1–2 Weeks | Consultation, testing and your personalized plan |
| 2–8 weeks | Elimination phase, SIBO treatment or an acid-reducer trial; many notice changes here |
| 2–3 months | Foods reintroduced, medicines reviewed and stepped down where possible |
| Ongoing | Occasional check-ins to keep progress and handle flare-ups |
Timelines depend on the cause, how long symptoms have lasted, other health conditions and the treatment approach.
Medical Director
Rashmi Gulati, MD, is a board-certified functional medicine doctor Manhattan and a leading holistic doctor in NYC.
Holistic Pain Management Physician
Holistic pain management physician at Patients Medical, caring for patients with chronic pain and inflammation.
An approach to digestive care that focuses on how the gut is working: diet, the gut microbiome, motility and the gut-brain connection. Our physicians test for causes like SIBO, food triggers and nutrient gaps, and build a step-by-step plan around them.
No. A board-certified gastroenterologist is a specialist trained to perform scopes and treat structural and inflammatory disease. Functional gastroenterology care spends more time on diet, microbiome and lifestyle causes. Many patients do best with both, and we coordinate with gastroenterologists when needed.
We don’t perform procedures in our office. When your symptoms or age call for one, we refer you to a board-certified gastroenterologist and use the results in your plan. Colon cancer screening is recommended from age 45 for people at average risk.
Look for a physician who tests for causes such as SIBO, food intolerances and celiac disease, rather than only suggesting probiotics. Gastroenterology guidance notes there’s little evidence probiotics help bloating, while diet and gut-brain therapies can. Chronic bloating and gas
A gut health specialist finds out why digestive symptoms keep coming back, using targeted breath, stool and blood tests, then treats those causes with diet, gut-brain care, SIBO treatment, nutrient repletion and medicine when needed. At Patients Medical this care is physician-led and coordinated with gastroenterologists for any scope you need.
Yes. The most common causes of gastritis are H. pylori infection and regular use of NSAID pain relievers such as ibuprofen, with alcohol another trigger. We test for H. pylori, review your medicines, and plan acid control and diet changes, referring for an endoscopy if you have warning signs.
Yes. We diagnose IBS from your symptoms with a few targeted tests, then combine diet, gut-directed stress care and medicines when needed. Routine colonoscopy isn’t recommended for IBS under 45 without warning signs. Functional medicine for IBS
With a breath test after a short prep that includes fasting and avoiding certain medicines. If it’s positive, treatment is usually a gut-targeted antibiotic, plus steps to address why it developed. Guidelines advise against treating SIBO without testing.
Yes. We look for diet, medication, thyroid and microbiome causes, including methane overgrowth for constipation and celiac or inflammation for diarrhea, and refer for a scope if warning signs appear. Chronic diarrhea and gut inflammation
Only the ones your symptoms point to. That may include a breath test, stool tests, celiac and inflammation blood tests, and iron, B12 or vitamin D levels. Gut health testing explained
Right away for blood in your stool, black stools, vomiting blood, trouble swallowing, unintended weight loss or new bowel changes after 45. These need a scope first. We help arrange that and continue your care afterward.
Many people notice changes within a few weeks of starting a plan. Long-standing problems usually take two to three months, including time to reintroduce foods and review medicines.
A 60–90 minute visit with a physician to review your history, symptoms, diet and past results, followed by a testing plan. Bring any recent lab work and scope reports. Your first visit
We provide superbills you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement and offer CareCredit financing. Call us to discuss costs before your visit. CareCredit financing
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B, New York, NY 10128, entering on Fifth Avenue at 96th Street. Telemedicine visits are also available.
Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.
To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you
Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128
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