From chronic illness to empowered healing—Dr. Ilana Gurevich shares her personal and professional journey overcoming Crohn’s disease and helping patients find relief from reflux, SIBO, and complex GI disorders. In this inspiring interview, she reveals how holistic medicine, nervous system support, and root-cause treatment can restore lasting digestive wellness when conventional tools fall short.
Introduction & Personal Background
Josef Kreitmayer
Welcome to another session here at the Reflux Summit. Please welcome Dr. Ilana Gurevich, a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist with over 17 years of experience treating gastrointestinal conditions like IBS, reflux, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. She’s the founder of Open Wellness in Portland, Oregon. Ilana, welcome!
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Thank you so much for having me.
Josef Kreitmayer
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to focus on gastrointestinal health and reflux?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
My path started with my own health journey. I became very sick at age 12. Despite seeing several gastroenterologists—my parents are both physicians—I wasn’t diagnosed with Crohn’s disease until I was 19.
Around the same time, my father, in the middle of a midlife crisis, took me to a naturopath who ended up changing my life. That healer gave me back my health and set me on my professional path. Since then, I’ve devoted my practice to treating GI patients.
Common Root Causes of Reflux
Josef Kreitmayer
In your work with reflux patients, what are some root causes that are often missed?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Diet is a big one. We’re eating too much, often the wrong kinds of food, and in very stressful environments. Our physiology just isn’t prepared for that.
Stress, food intolerances, and even dysfunctions lower in the digestive tract can all lead to reflux symptoms. The nervous system plays a massive role, and that’s something I focus on quite a bit.
Histamine and Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Josef Kreitmayer
You mentioned allergies and histamine involvement. Can you explain more?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Definitely. A major contributor to upper GI discomfort is eosinophilic esophagitis—histamine-producing immune cells in the esophagus that drive inflammation.
This often comes from eating foods your body is allergic to. Leftovers, fermented foods, and histamine-heavy items like wine or aged cheese can all worsen symptoms.
Josef Kreitmayer
Should people avoid histamine-rich foods altogether?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Yes, though it’s a challenging diet to maintain. Still, avoidance can dramatically support healing.
We also have natural and pharmaceutical options that stabilize and coat the GI lining, such as cromolyn sodium. It can be a very helpful, non-invasive approach before considering endoscopy.
Localizing Digestive Symptoms
Josef Kreitmayer
Do you think reflux can be caused by issues lower in the GI tract as well?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Absolutely. When I take a patient history, I try to localize symptoms.
If bloating is dominant, the issue may be in the small intestine. If it’s pure reflux without gurgling or bloating, I focus more on the upper GI.
Many patients have dysfunction across multiple digestive zones, and we tailor treatment based on where symptoms are strongest.
Functional Disorders & Lifestyle Triggers
Josef Kreitmayer
You work a lot with functional disorders. What challenges do you commonly see?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
I see many patients who don’t have a clear diagnosis but are still deeply uncomfortable. Their symptoms consume their energy and attention.
These cases often respond beautifully to functional or naturopathic medicine because we address the whole system—not just the tissue, but also diet, nervous system regulation, and lifestyle factors.
The Role of the Enteric Nervous System
Josef Kreitmayer
How does the nervous system tie into reflux?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
We often focus only on inflammation, but the nervous system is just as important.
The enteric nervous system is its own independent network—it can function without the brain. When it’s dysregulated, digestion loses coordination.
That’s when I incorporate tools like visceral manipulation and, when appropriate, neural therapy.
Neural Therapy for GI Healing
Josef Kreitmayer
Can you explain what neural therapy is and how it helps reflux?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Neural therapy uses procaine, a local anesthetic, to reset nerve signaling. Think of it like rebooting a computer.
I target nerve ganglia that regulate the stomach and esophagus. Sometimes one injection provides relief; other times, a series is needed.
It’s minimally invasive but can be profoundly effective.
Josef Kreitmayer
What does your injection protocol look like?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
I inject a tender spot near the xiphoid process, then a point between the shoulder blades, and finally along the spine between T3 and T5.
These areas correspond to nerves that regulate upper GI function. It’s gentle but can create powerful results.
Reframing the Use of PPIs
Josef Kreitmayer
Many reflux patients are on PPIs. How do you navigate that?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
I’m okay with short-term PPI use. They can reduce inflammation enough to allow deeper healing work to begin.
But long-term use often ignores root causes. My goal is to taper patients off safely while addressing inflammation, allergies, nervous system imbalance, or infections.
Fungal & Bacterial Overgrowths
Josef Kreitmayer
SIBO and SIFO are talked about more now. Do you treat those as well?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Yes. Fungal overgrowth, or SIFO, is underdiagnosed and difficult to test for. I use blood markers as a starting point, though they’re imperfect.
Treatment involves herbal antimicrobials like oregano, caprylic acid, and berberine, combined with dietary changes.
Healing takes time—three months at minimum, sometimes much longer.
Lifestyle Barriers to Healing
Josef Kreitmayer
What’s the biggest barrier to healing?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
The environment we live in. Processed foods, stress, chemicals—it’s a constant uphill battle.
Even well-intentioned people struggle with toxic exposure. I have a lot of empathy.
With education, support, and realistic steps, healing is still possible.
Integrating Functional and Conventional Medicine
Josef Kreitmayer
How do you see functional and conventional medicine working together better?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Everyone has their lane. I can’t scope a patient, but I can support regulation and recovery.
In Portland, I collaborate closely with GI doctors. We refer patients back and forth.
Collaboration and mutual respect are essential.
How to Work with Dr. Gurevich
Josef Kreitmayer
How can people work with you?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
I see patients virtually and in person in Oregon, Washington, and California.
I also offer consults worldwide for those seeking a naturopathic perspective.
You can find me at openwellnesspdx.com.
Podcast and Final Advice
Josef Kreitmayer
You also have a podcast, right?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Yes, it’s called The Turd Nerds—a GI-focused podcast with two other doctors. We release episodes every two weeks.
I’m also launching a neural therapy podcast in 2025 called The Point of Medicine.
Josef Kreitmayer
Final words for those just starting their healing journey?
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
You’re not alone. There is community, knowledge, and hope. You can take back your health.
Josef Kreitmayer
Thank you, Ilana. Great to have you.
Dr. Ilana Gurevich
Thank you. This was a joy.
