Does Your Stomach Hurt Every Time You Go to Work It Might Not Be Just Stress

Hello, this is Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. # Does your stomach hurt every time you go to work? It might not be just stress. Many people suffer from abdominal pain and diarrhea that strike unexpectedly every morning on their commute, before an important exam, or before a sudden appointment. Those who complain that 'my stomach hurts every time I go to work' are often diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Have you been enduring it, assuming it's simply due to stress because there is no special cause? However, our body is sending clear signals through pain, which may be deeply connected to an imbalance in gut function. 💡 **Core Answer** The 3 most common causes of IBS like 'my stomach hurts every time I go to work': ① **Gut-Brain Axis Imbalance** / ② **Changes in Gut Microbiota Environment** / ③ **Excessive Stress and Autonomic Nervous System Disruption** Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic removes toxins accumulated in the gut wall through **gut detoxification** treatment and restores the gut-brain connection to fundamentally improve gut function. ## Why does my stomach hurt every time I go to work? Repeated abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and abdominal bloating are representative signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The fact that these symptoms worsen during commuting or specific stress situations is not simply because 'the gut is sensitive.' The gut is closely connected to the brain, earning it the nickname 'the second brain,' known as the **Gut-Brain Axis**. Psychological factors like stress and anxiety affect the brain, which in time is transmitted back to the gut, altering intestinal motility or making gut sensation hypersensitive. In addition, the imbalance of the gut microbiota environment acts as an important cause. When harmful bacteria increase, intestinal barrier permeability rises, allowing toxins to leak into the blood, which can induce inflammation in the intestinal mucosa and affect systemic health. Ultimately, gut dysfunction goes beyond simple digestive problems, leading to autonomic nervous system disruption and weakened immunity. ## Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is it because of stress? How does Korean medicine view it? IBS patients tend to react very sensitively to stress. This is because the brain and gut constantly communicate via neurotransmitters. In particular, modern stress disrupts autonomic balance, directly affecting bowel motility. When the sympathetic nervous system is excessively hyperactive, bowel motility can become irregular or cause spasms, inducing abdominal pain and diarrhea. In Korean medicine, IBS is not viewed solely as a gut problem. Stress and overwork stagnate Qi and blood circulation, weakening Spleen and Stomach functions and accumulating waste products such as 'Damjeok' (phlegm accumulation) or 'Sikjeok' (indigestion stagnation) that impair gut health. In other words, as the gut's detoxification function declines and unnecessary toxins accumulate in the body, it triggers inflammatory reactions and hypersensitivity. In a 2026 study published in the Journal of Korean Medicine by research teams including Kim Hyung-jun and Choi Yu-jin from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine and Kim Jin-seong and Hana-yeon from Kyung Hee University, the efficacy of herbal medicine treatment for IBS was confirmed. The research team conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on 60 adult diarrhea-type IBS (IBS-D) patients meeting 'Rome IV criteria'. As a result, the group taking Gwakjeongtang-gami showed a treatment response rate more than twice as high as the placebo group. In particular, strict criteria were applied requiring severe abdominal pain to decrease by over 30% and stool form to return to normal range for more than half of the total treatment period, and during the 4-week administration period, zero drug-related adverse events occurred, proving safety. Based on these data, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic focuses on improving IBS symptoms through herbal prescriptions that soothe gut inflammation and normalize gut function. Furthermore, in a 2013 study by the Ko SJ research team published in *Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine*, the effects of combined treatment with herbal medicine (Gwakhyangjeonggisan) and probiotics on 64 IBS patients were verified. After 8 weeks of administration, all groups combining herbal medicine and probiotics showed statistically significant effects in appropriate symptom relief compared to the placebo group. In particular, a significant increase in beneficial lactic acid bacteria was observed in the group administered Gwakhyangjeonggisan and probiotics together. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch aims to resolve the root cause of IBS and prevent recurrence by improving the gut microbiota environment. ## How does Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic's 'Gut Detoxification' treatment work? Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic intensively implements **gut detoxification** treatment for those suffering from chronic gut problems. Our body's intestinal barrier goes beyond simply digesting and absorbing food to act as an important defense line protecting our body from external toxins. However, when stress, poor dietary habits, or medication abuse cause inflammation or increased permeability in the intestinal barrier (Leaky Gut Syndrome), toxins accumulated in the intestinal barrier can spread throughout the body via the blood, causing weakened immunity, chronic inflammation, and skin problems. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic's gut detoxification treatment aims not merely to suppress symptoms, but to fundamentally improve gut function by restoring intestinal barrier damage and healthily rebuilding the gut microbiota environment. This process helps regenerate the intestinal mucosa, suppress harmful bacteria, and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria to revive the gut's innate detoxification function. ### Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self-Checklist Check how many of the following apply to you. * Abdominal pain has repeated 3 or more times a month over the last 3 months. * Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or alternating diarrhea and constipation accompany abdominal pain. * Abdominal pain tends to be relieved after bowel movements. * Abdominal bloating and gas increase significantly after meals or specific foods. * Urge for bowel movement or abdominal pain worsens in stressful situations like exams, meetings, or commuting. * Frequent bloated stomach and poor digestion. (Related conditions like reflux esophagitis, Damjeok) * Diagnosed with gastritis or enteritis in the past, with frequent recurrences. **Criteria:** * **If 3 or more apply:** Suspected gut dysfunction and IBS stage. Consider consulting an expert to check gut health and explore complex Korean medicine treatment. * **If 5 or more apply:** High possibility of reduced quality of life due to chronic IBS. Immediate visit and precise diagnosis are recommended to start systematic treatment. --- ### FAQ **Q. Why does IBS keep recurring even after taking medication?** A. General medical treatments mainly focus on temporarily relieving symptoms, so if the fundamental gut function imbalance or gut-brain axis disturbance is not resolved, symptoms easily recur. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic focuses on strengthening gut detoxification and balancing the autonomic nervous system to prevent recurrence. **Q. How long does gut detoxification treatment take?** A. The duration varies depending on individual symptom severity, chronicity, and lifestyle habits, but we typically recommend a treatment period of 2 to 3 months, followed by consistent management. **Q. Can children receive IBS treatment?** A. Yes, children can also experience similar symptoms, especially functional gastrointestinal disorders due to academic stress. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic helps children recover gut health through gentle, safe herbal prescriptions and non-invasive treatments tailored to their constitution. **Q. What kind of clinic should I look for regarding IBS in Songdo?** A. When looking for an IBS clinic in Songdo, it is important to choose one that understands the gut-brain connection and provides fundamental treatments such as gut detoxification and autonomic regulation. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic establishes customized treatment plans by carefully diagnosing individual constitutions and symptoms. --- IBS is not a problem solved by enduring. You no longer need to ignore the body's signals you have sent for a long time. Bring the symptoms you are experiencing as they are, and Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic will find the cause together. Medical Supervision | Department of Digestive Disorders, Songdo Branch of Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic, Korean Medicine Doctor Oh Hyun-min