Gastroenterologists are doctors with specialist physician training. They are experts in caring for patients needing help with any part of their gastrointestinal tract. Your GP may refer you to see a gastroenterologist if you need a gastroscopy or colonoscopy, have iron deficiency, rectal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, need colorectal cancer surveillance, have reflux, liver problems or have general gut symptoms. All of The Melbourne Gut Clinic’s specialist gastroenterologists hold both public and private hospital positions and maintain an active role in research and medical education.

Colorectal surgeons are doctors who have specialised training in surgery to help with conditions affecting the small or large bowel, rectum and anus. Your GP or other specialist may refer you to see a colorectal surgeon if you have rectal bleeding, rectal pain, for treatment of haemorrhoids or fissures, treatment of bowel lesions, for colorectal cancer surveillance or treatment if inflammatory bowel disease. Colorectal surgeons use both surgical (keyhole and open surgery) and endoscopic (non-surgical) techniques to treat these conditions.

Interventional gastroenterologists are gastroenterologists who have undergone further training in specialised techniques such as the removal of large polyps (pre-cancerous bowel lesions) or for the management of pancreatic or biliary (bile duct) problems. Interventional gastroenterologists use endoscopic (non-surgical) techniques to treat these conditions. You might be referred to an interventional gastroenterologist by your gastroenterologist when they detect one of these problems.

Intestinal ultrasonography is performed through the abdominal wall (externally) by a gastroenterologist who has been specifically trained in this technique. You might be referred for an intestinal ultrasound by your gastroenterologist or GP in order to assess the health of your bowel and look for signs of inflammation, poor movement, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or the pattern of your stool in your bowel. It can also be very helpful in assessing the state of your inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis). It does not replace the need for a colonoscopy but is a very useful tool for all patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Dietitians are allied health professionals who are experts in advising patients on nutrition and diet in both health and disease. You may be advised to see a dietitian by your GP or another specialist doctor, however a formal referral from another health professional is not required. The Melbourne Gut Clinic is privileged to be working with some of the best dietitians in Australia. Our dietitians are active in both clinical as well as research settings and have both published widely in the fields of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a specialised physiotherapist who has undergone extra training in assessing and treating conditions that affect the pelvic floor muscles. Common reasons for why you might be advised to see or seek help from a pelvic floor physiotherapist are if you have pelvic pain, bowel or bladder issues or need help re-training pelvic floor muscles after surgery.

A Gut Directed Hypnotherapist is an allied health professional who has been specifically trained in assisting people with gastrointestinal symptoms. Many gut symptoms can result from faulty communication within the ‘gut-brain’ axis leading to symptoms such as bloating, constipation, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Once serious pathology has been ruled out by your gastroenterologist, gut directed hypnotherapy can address the miss-firing between the gut and the brain leading to the resolution of symptoms. Gut directed hypnotherapy usually involves 6-8 weekly sessions where the therapist guides you into a state of deep relaxation. Efficacy this technique for symptoms of IBS can be as high as that of the low FODMAP diet.