“I have had sich a great experience seeing Dr. Bergin. When other offices have told me I just had muscle damage or the only thing they could do for me was give shots, he said he had others ways to manage my pain and numbness, along with improving mobility. And he was right! I feel so much better! With such friendly staff and welcoming office environment, it makes for an amazing experience. I'll definitely continue seeing him!”
Service
Gut Health
in Lakeland and The Villages, FL
Testing that looks at food sensitivities, microbiome balance and nutritional gaps, then a nutrition and supplementation plan written from what it finds.
- 22 years in practice
- Doctor of Chiropractic led
- Testing led, not guesswork
- $47 new-patient exam
Medically reviewed by Dr. Justin Bergin, DC Updated September 26, 2026
Gut Health at ChiroMed
Do your tests keep coming back normal?
Bloating after most meals. A stomach that dictates where you sit in a restaurant. Energy that drops in the afternoon whatever you eat.
Skin that flares without a pattern. A mind that has gone foggy in a way that is hard to describe. Tests come back normal, you are told it is stress, and you are sent home.
What does a normal result actually mean?
Normal test results mean no disease was found. That is genuinely good news, and it does not mean nothing is wrong.
Gut health care at ChiroMed starts there: what you eat, what your digestion does with it, which foods you react to, and what is missing.
Why start with testing instead of another diet?
The testing comes first rather than the guesswork. The plan that comes out of it is nutrition and supplementation aimed at what the testing found.
Dr. Justin Bergin, DC has 22 years of hearing this story from patients who came in about their back. That is why it is part of the functional and holistic health line at this practice.
It is one of the treatments offered through our holistic medicine practitioner.
What gut health actually does
Gut health care at ChiroMed uses functional testing to look at food sensitivities, microbiome balance and nutritional deficiencies. A plan of targeted nutrition and supplementation is then built around the findings. It addresses the gut-brain axis and the inflammation that often starts in the digestive tract. It informs a plan rather than diagnosing disease.
The digestive tract carries its own dense network of nerves and communicates constantly with the brain in both directions. That network is extensive enough that clinicians call it a second brain.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has written about the connection for years. It is why a digestive problem can show up as mood, concentration or sleep, and why a stressed person gets symptoms in their stomach.
Systemic inflammation frequently begins in the digestive tract. When the gut lining is irritated and the bacterial balance has shifted, the effects do not stay local. Energy, joint discomfort, skin and immune function are all affected.
Testing looks at food sensitivities, microbiome imbalance and nutritional deficiency. The purpose is to replace guesswork with a starting point, which matters most for the patient who has already cut out four food groups without a clear result.
A clinic presenting that starting point as a diagnosis is overstating what it is. What you get here is a direction worth testing and an honest account of where the testing stops.
How it works
The testing
Functional testing looks at food sensitivities, microbiome balance and nutritional gaps. It is recommended only when the result will change what we do.
The reading
Findings are read against your history and your symptoms. You are told which parts are informative and which parts establish nothing.
The targeted plan
Nutrition and supplementation are aimed at what the testing found. If a finding does not call for something, you are not sold it.
Who gut health helps
- Symptoms driven by a food you react to
- Symptoms driven by a shift in bacterial balance
- Symptoms driven by a nutritional gap or poor absorption
- Digestive complaints that investigation has already cleared of disease
Who it does not help
- Bleeding or black stools, which need a physician now
- Unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing or persistent vomiting
- Symptoms that need a diagnosis rather than a plan
- Inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease outside specialist care
- Anything your own physician is treating, because nothing here replaces that care
Background reading from an independent authority: Johns Hopkins Medicine on the connection between the gut and the brain.
Conditions we treat with it
You can read more about each one. The examination decides which of them applies to you.
Why patients choose it
Testing comes before the plan
Two people with the same bloating get different answers, and a plan built on somebody else's results is a plan built on a guess. Testing gives you a starting point that belongs to you.
Nutrition and supplementation are targeted
Supplements aimed at what your results showed, not a shelf of bottles sold to everyone who walks in. If a finding does not call for something, you are not sold it.
Your other symptoms are looked at too
This practice also treats your spine, your joints and your metabolic health. Connections between fatigue, inflammation, blood sugar and pain get noticed here, rather than split across four clinics.
What testing cannot tell you
You are told what functional testing can and cannot establish, and when a gastroenterologist is the right next call.
The plan is reviewed against how you feel
Results are a starting point, not a verdict. What changes in your symptoms over the following weeks decides whether the plan continues as written, gets adjusted, or is stopped because it is not earning its place.
Cost, insurance and financing
The cost here depends almost entirely on what testing is recommended, and that is not decided until after the consultation. You are told what each step costs before you agree to it.
The one published price
Consultation, Exam, X-Rays (If Needed) & Report of Findings: Only $47
What affects the cost
- Which functional testing is recommended for your symptoms, if any
- Whether testing is repeated later to check progress
- How many review visits the plan calls for
- Whether supplementation forms part of the recommendation
What a course includes
- The consultation and a full dietary and symptom history
- An explanation of any recommended testing and its cost before you agree to it
- A written plan covering nutrition and supplementation
- Review visits measured against the symptoms you arrived with
Payment:
Functional gut health care is cash pay. Functional testing and nutrition programs are self-pay here. Coverage varies by carrier, and some services may only qualify as cash-pay.
If chiropractic care is also part of your plan, that part can be billed to insurance, and your benefits are verified before your first visit.
Medicare coverage varies by plan and by service, and our front desk will tell you exactly what applies before you commit to anything.
Payment plans are available for self-pay care. Ask the front desk which plan fits your course of care.
The entry point is the same for every new patient: Consultation, Exam, X-Rays (If Needed) & Report of Findings: Only $47.
Why ChiroMed
Why does a one-thing clinic struggle with this?
Digestive symptoms usually arrive attached to something else, so they land badly at a clinic that does one thing.
Dr. Justin Bergin, DC has spent 22 years running a practice where chiropractic, spinal and knee decompression and Omniwave shockwave sit under one roof. Neuromed electroanalgesia, metabolic care and functional testing run on the same plan.
What if the bloating is not the only problem?
Your fatigue, joint pain, blood sugar and bloating may all belong to the same story.
That story gets put together here, rather than split across four appointments at four addresses.
Where you would be treated
How easy is the Lakeland office to reach?
The Lakeland office is at 6595 Florida Ave S, Suite 13, on S. Florida Avenue in South Lakeland. It sits near Southgate Shopping Center and Lakeside Village.
Getting there is easy from Highland City, Christina, Grasslands, Scott Lake, Cleveland Heights and the Polk Parkway.
Is the Lady Lake office closer to you?
The northern office is at 929 US-441 #404 in Lady Lake, just above CR 466. It serves The Villages, Summerfield, Wildwood, Oxford, Fruitland Park and Leesburg.
Spanish Springs Town Square and Lake Sumter Landing are both a short drive away. Consultations for this program run at both addresses.
In Lakeland that is 6595 Florida Ave S, Suite 13, Lakeland, serving Polk County. In the Villages market the office is at 929 US-441 #404, Lady Lake, serving Lake County, Sumter County, Marion County. Dr. Justin Bergin, DC performs the examination personally at both, 22 years into practice.
More on holistic medicine practitioner.
Available at our 2 locations
Treatment at our Lakeland office, and also at:
Gut Health in recent research
These sources are independent of this practice and none of them endorses it. They are listed so the reasoning behind the care can be checked rather than taken on trust.
- The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems
Sets out the established two-way signaling between gut and brain, which is the mechanism behind these symptoms.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
The NIH overview of how IBS is defined, diagnosed and managed, and the point at which persistent symptoms belong with a gastroenterologist rather than here.
- Probiotics: Usefulness and Safety
A sober read of where probiotic evidence is reasonable and where it is thin, and a reminder that effects are strain specific rather than general.
Compare your options
Real alternatives exist, including ones this practice does not perform. Here is the honest set.
| Option | What it is | Typically considered when | Invasive? | Offered at ChiroMed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional gut health program Our approach | Functional testing for food sensitivities, microbiome balance and nutritional gaps, followed by targeted nutrition and supplementation. | Symptoms are real, standard investigations found no disease, and nobody has looked at food, absorption or bacterial balance. | No. Sample collection and dietary change. | Yes |
| Elimination diet on your own | Systematically removing and reintroducing foods to identify reactions. | Symptoms are mild and clearly food-related, and you have the patience to do it methodically. | No, though it becomes restrictive and hard to sustain without guidance. | Not a service we sell, and a reasonable thing to try. We will help you run one properly if that is the right starting point for you. |
| Gastroenterology investigation | Specialist assessment, endoscopy, colonoscopy and laboratory investigation to find or exclude disease. | Alarm symptoms are present, or a diagnosis is needed rather than a plan. | Yes, in the sense that scoping procedures are involved. | Not performed here. The right call when there is bleeding, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing or persistent vomiting. Also right for anaemia, a family history of bowel disease, or any change that came on suddenly. |
| Long-term acid-suppressing medication | Prescription or retail medication that reduces stomach acid production. | Reflux or ulcer disease needs controlling under medical supervision. | No, though long-term use has trade-offs worth discussing with the prescriber. | Not prescribed here. Appropriate when a physician has judged it necessary, and worth reviewing with them periodically rather than continuing on autopilot. |
Bleeding, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing and persistent vomiting belong with a gastroenterologist. Functional testing is not a way to avoid that appointment. If you describe one of those symptoms at your consultation here, you will be told to make it.
Is gut health right for someone like you?
Candidacy is decided at the examination, not on a web page. These are the general lines.
Likely a good candidate if
- Digestive symptoms that are real, persistent and not explained by any test so far
- You react to foods but cannot work out which ones, or the list keeps growing
- Fatigue, brain fog or low mood that tracks with how you have been eating
- Inflammation, skin flares or joint discomfort with no clear trigger
- You want a plan built on testing rather than another elimination diet found online
We will point you elsewhere if
- Bleeding, black stools, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing or persistent vomiting, all of which need a physician now
- A known inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease that is not under specialist care
- You are looking for a diagnosis, which functional testing does not provide
- Pregnancy, unless your obstetric provider has cleared dietary change and supplementation
- An eating disorder is present or suspected, where restriction of any kind needs specialist input first
When we are not the right answer, we say so, and connect you with someone who is.
Your first visit
What to expect, step by step
The first visit takes a full dietary and symptom history, which is usually the step nobody has done. Testing is ordered from that conversation rather than off a standard list.
When the results come back we go through them with you, then build the nutrition plan around what was actually found.
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01A full dietary and symptom history
What you eat in a normal week, what happens afterwards, and how long it has been going on. What you have already removed, what medications you take, and what has already been investigated. It takes a while, and that is deliberate.
- 02
What testing is recommended
Functional testing is recommended when the result will alter what we do, covering food sensitivities, microbiome balance and nutritional gaps. What is ordered and why is explained before you agree to it.
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03Going through your results
You sit down and go through what came back, what it suggests and what it does not establish. The honest boundary between an informative finding and a diagnosis is drawn here rather than left blurred.
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04Your plan and your review visit
Targeted nutrition and supplementation aimed at what the testing found, written down so you can follow it. Then a review against the symptoms you came in with, and changes to the plan based on what actually shifted.
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An adjustment that is not aimed at a specific finding is just noise. We treat what the exam and the X-ray tell us to treat.
“Dr. Bergin was instrumental in relieving my back pain which I had for many years. The techniques he used on relieving my back pain were impressive. I been going to chiropractors for years and Dr. Bergin is the best. Thank You Dr. Bergin :)”
“Took a good amount of time going over my preliminary results and going over potential care plan. Great adjustment and doesn’t sugarcoat when discussing. Would recommend”
“The environment is incredible at this office with the staff and also both doctors are extremely friendly and great at what they do”
“Amazing, Super friendly and talented Staff and Doctors! My back was a hot mess after a semi hit my car on my first day moving to Florida. But after going through the treatment program I was able to get my neck, my back and my life in alignment. It was a total transformation. Thank You New City Chiropractic!”
“Hands down the best chiropractic office out there! They are super friendly and make me feel comfortable to tell then what’s wrong. They always ensure the best treatment for their patients!”
“I absolutely love this place , it is like going to visit family. They are always so pleasant , happy , and professional. I always enjoy seeing the ladies , they always put a smile on my face and even if I am having a bad day. The doctors are always so friendly and concerned with my well being. I actually look forward to going there and miss them on the days that I don't go.”
“I only wish it was closer. You are welcome it's definitely a compliment and I have read the great comments people made about the facility and staff! Amen Open one in Auburndale please!!”
“HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend coming here if you have any pains in your back or neck!! These guys are AMAZING at what they do!! Just a few months into coming here, I feel a change in the way I walk, the way my head sits on my shoulders, and I just feel GREAT; ALL THE TIME!! Crazy what some little adjustments did for me!!”
“This is an awesome chiropractic!! They are all nice and kind! Ever Since I have been adjusting my back, I don't need to take medicine before I go to bed. Also, I have been sleeping without waking up in the middle of the night because of the pain!! I really recommend the chiropractic 😊”
“Dr. Bergin at Chiromed Wellness Centers is the best chiropractor in town. I no longer have to take pain meds. If you still have pain, you’re not seeing to best chiropractor.”
“Love this place!! Cynthia and Angie are amazing! So nice and helpful!! The chiropractor’s are also amazing!! Just a great place overall! I highly recommended it!!”
“Look them up I waited so long to see a chiropractor and I found this place and am so happy that I did . Love the Drs they are so helpful and make feel like family.”
“The staff is super friendly and they walked me through the whole process. I’ve been going for a few weeks now and I’m already feeling results! The treatment the offer is very hands on and informative. I’ve never had manual adjustments until coming to this office and the staff makes you feel comfortable and takes care of your needs. Highly recommend !”
“The best Chiropractic center in South lakeland! love it here the Doctors are very urged to help with any of your needs, the beautiful assistants are nice and helpful they really make you feel welcomed. Most highly recommended Chiropractic Center. :)”
“Muy profesional la atención es formidable todos los empleados son muy amigables.Y muy efectiva sus terapias..Los recomiendo 100x100%”
“My pain has decreased dramatically, I’m no longer stretching and moving my neck in every angle trying to find relief. Every part of my body I can feel is finally getting closer to symmetry! All I can say is you should give new city a try!”
“I love this place!! They're very caring for their patients and strive to help you feel better. I strongly recommend giving them a try. I promise you won't regret it”
“The staff is very knowledgeable and organized, they get to know you and are flexible about fitting your treatment in to your life. They use proven methods to treat the root of your issues and the results are incredible. I was in a lot of pain after a car crash and within a few weeks I was able to go back to my normal routine with no discomfort.”
“I have seen and feel the change in my body since I started, I use to have major pain in my knees and neck ache. I'm an athlete and constantly need more adjustments, and every time I come I always without a doubt feel welcomed and important.”
Get in touch
Stop guessing which food it was
A full history, testing that earns its place, and a plan written from the results.
- 1
Send the form
Two minutes. Tell us what hurts and which office is closer.
- 2
We call you back
A real person, during office hours, to find a time that works.
- 3
Exam and answers
History, orthopedic and neurological testing, imaging on site when it changes the plan.
- $47 consultation, exam, X-rays if needed and report of findings
- Payment plans available on the self-pay programs
- 4.8 out of 5 from 225 Google reviews
- Choose Lakeland or The Villages on the form
Gut Health questions
Tap a message for the honest answer. Call Lakeland (863) 940-3444
Can gut problems really cause brain fog or low mood?
The connection is well established and it runs both ways. The digestive tract carries its own extensive nerve network and communicates constantly with the brain.
That is why anxiety produces stomach symptoms, and why digestive trouble can show up as poor concentration or flat mood. That does not mean every symptom starts in the gut.
Is food sensitivity testing accurate?
It is informative rather than definitive, and any clinic claiming more is selling certainty it does not have. A result points at foods worth examining, and confirmation comes from removing them carefully and watching your symptoms.
Used that way it saves months of guessing. Used as a diagnosis it produces unnecessary restriction.
How is this different from seeing a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist finds or excludes disease using investigations this practice does not perform. Functional gut health care starts after that, when no disease was found and symptoms remain, and looks at food, absorption, bacterial balance and nutritional gaps.
If you have bleeding, weight loss, difficulty swallowing or persistent vomiting, the specialist comes first.
Do I need a referral to be seen for gut health at ChiroMed?
No referral is required and you can book the consultation directly at either office. Bring any recent test results and a list of your current medications and supplements.
Bring a rough record of what you have been eating and how you felt afterwards. Those three things make the first visit far more useful.
Will insurance pay for functional gut health testing?
Coverage varies by carrier, and some services may only qualify as cash-pay. Functional testing and nutrition programs are self-pay here.
Chiropractic care does bill insurance and is verified separately before your first visit. Medicare coverage varies by plan and by service. You are told the cost of any recommended testing before you agree to it.
Same-week appointments
Tired of Being Told Your Tests Are Normal?
Consultation, Exam, X-Rays (If Needed) & Report of Findings: Only $47.
- 4.8 out of 5 on Google
Consultation, Exam, X-Rays (If Needed) & Report of Findings: Only $47