IV therapy is a popular trend across the country, and it’s only gaining momentum. From wellness clinics to celebrities, everyone is talking about its amazing ability to boost energy and enhance overall health.
Intravenous micronutrient therapy, or IV therapy, is a method of getting essential fluids, vitamins, and nutrients into your body through an IV. This allows them to go directly to your bloodstream to improve how you’re feeling right away.
But is it actually worth all the hype?
Today, we’ll answer that question and more, as we explore the science behind this therapy, look at the benefits and risks, and review the different types of IV therapy that are available.
What is IV Therapy, and Why Should You Consider This Treatment?
As we mentioned before, IV therapy is a method of delivering a high dose of vitamins and nutrients directly into your bloodstream. By taking them in this way, you bypass the slower systems of digesting and processing nutrients, and allow your body to rapidly absorb higher doses, so you feel revitalized right away.
John Myers, a doctor in the 1970s, was the first to use this type of treatment. His protocol, now called the “Myer’s” Cocktail, contained magnesium, calcium, B6, B12, B5, B complex, and vitamin C, and was used to treat many disorders, including:
- acute asthma attacks
- migraines
- fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome)
- fibromyalgia
- acute muscle spasm
- upper respiratory tract infections
- chronic sinusitis
- seasonal allergic rhinitis
- cardiovascular disease
After his passing, another doctor, Alan Gaby, carried on with the treatment method, eventually publishing his findings after treating 800–1000 patients over 16 years. He found IV therapy to be effective and safe, and used his patient reports to back this up. Unfortunately, research has been slow since the release of his report, meaning that progress has also been slow, but that hasn’t stopped it from growing in popularity.
These days, IV therapy is commonly used for both medical and nonmedical reasons, such as:
- rehydration
- vitamin supplementation
- treating nutrient deficiencies
- boosting energy
- rejuvenating skin
- relieving hangover symptoms
- easing withdrawal
- improving depression and anxiety symptoms
- helping asthma and wheezing
- combating chronic pain
- supporting heart health
- support the health and mood of chemotherapy patients
- Support immunity and detoxification
- Preventative and wellness therapy
Many health and wellness offices now offer IV therapy, but a medical office isn’t the only option anymore. This therapy has become so sought after that people have opened trendy IV drip bars where you can go alone or schedule a “drip party” with friends. You can also use a mobile IV service who will serve you in the comfort of your home. While this all sounds convenient, the question of whether you should use a “drip bar” is a complex one that we’ll look into a little later.
How Does IV Therapy Work?
If you’ve ever seen an IV used to deliver medication or for sedation in a hospital setting, you’ve got a pretty good idea of how IV therapy works. Just like those IVs, your doctor or nurse will disinfect the skin where the IV will go, usually on the top of your hand or inside your elbow. Then, they will insert a sterile needle into the vein. This hollow needle will be attached to a plastic tube, which is attached to the IV bag. The infusion pump is then turned on to help pump the fluids, nutrients, and vitamins into your body, directly into your bloodstream.
Types of IV Therapies
When you get an IV in a hospital setting, you’re most likely receiving a hydrating IV or one that’s delivering medication, but IVs can be used to deliver many types of IV therapies and address a wide variety of symptoms. Every office will have different options, with benefits ranging from hydration to immune system support. At Dr. Roz’s office in Scottsdale, AZ, we offer:
- Hydration Therapy: Combat dehydration with Hydration Station, a refreshing blend of electrolytes and fluids for quick rehydration. This is a great option to get refreshed and energized after an illness, heavy exercise, or travel.
- Vitamin Infusions: Get a concentrated dose of vitamins to fill your nutritional gaps and support your overall wellness. The right choice depends on your body’s needs, but vitamin C and B-complex vitamins are popular options.
- Immune Support Therapy: Support your natural defense system with a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Our Vitamin C Surge or Vital Immune therapy are two choices that will leave you feeling healthy and better able to fight off any illness that comes your way.
- Energy Boost Therapy: Jumpstart your energy levels with energizing vitamins and minerals that combat fatigue fast. Choose from options like NAD Revive for cellular repair and mental clarity, or Energy Revive for our upgraded version of the classic Myer’s Cocktail.
- Detoxification Therapy: Support your body’s natural detox process with nutrients designed to keep your liver in good working order. Our classic Liver Detox is a great way to refresh and reboot, while our deeply cleansing Heavy Metal Detox steps it up with a powerful blend to support your health.
- Anti-Aging Therapy: Revive your natural, youthful glow with a hydrating therapy full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, NAD+, and more.
- Iron Therapy: Improve your workout recovery time, lower soreness, combat fatigue, and recover faster with our Iron Power Boost infusion. It’s a powerful treatment that supports your red blood cells to keep you feeling strong.
- Specialized Treatments: Customize your IV therapy to meet the unique needs of your body by working with our team to create a blend that perfectly matches you. Whether you need a specific set of nutrients or a combination of essentials to address your symptoms, we can help! We also offer a Pre/Post OP Surgery Recovery Boost, specially formulated to support optimal healing from surgery or procedures.
IV therapy is a convenient and efficient method for feeling your best, regardless of what you’re struggling with. They can help you address the underlying cause, not just the symptoms, and so you can get your health journey back on track for good, and an experienced medical professional can help you identify which blends will be the most beneficial for your wellness.
Administration
As we mentioned previously, IV therapy is no longer limited to the doctor’s office. From casual settings that only administer IV therapy, to mobile options that come to you, to wellness clinics and doctors’ offices, you have a range of options to choose from. While drip bars and mobile clinics are convenient, they may not be the safest option for your health. There are three main concerns for safe administration of IV therapy:
- Proper Licenses: No matter where you receive your therapy, there are some requirements for who can administer it. These laws vary from state to state, but in Arizona, IVs must be administered by a medical professional (medical doctor, physician’s assistant, RN, LPN, or APRN), and you must have a valid order from a doctor, PA, or APRN. In order for a RN or LPN to administer the IV, they must be operating under a medical director who is a licensed medical professional.
- Experience Level: Getting an IV is considered a pretty safe procedure, but without proper training, there can be issues with placing the IV. The outcome can range from mild – like a bruise or pain at the entry point – to severe – like an embolism that can threaten your life.
- Patient Information and History: The final concern is probably the most serious. IV therapies that contain vitamins come with the added risk of nutrient overload or vitamin toxicity – where too much of a vitamin is present, and your kidneys are unable to process it. At a drip bar, you’re unlikely to be working with a medical professional who knows your history, runs tests to check your nutrient levels, and monitors your ongoing levels and symptoms. And without this, you run the risk of causing more issues than you help.
Benefits of IV Therapy
On the other hand, when IV therapy is dosed and administered correctly, you’ll get the nutrients you need quickly, and you’ll feel the effects right away. It’s common for individuals to report feeling refreshed and energized, and having improved cognitive function after a treatment. Depending on your initial symptoms, you may also experience less pain, relief from dehydration symptoms, or faster recovery from workouts.
And according to popular claims, those benefits are just the beginning. People claim that IV therapy can result in:
- Improved energy
- Enhanced immune function
- Better skin health
- Hangover relief
- Cold & flu relief
- Improved digestive issues
- Faster athletic performance recovery
- Better mood
- Increased weight loss
- Improved heart health
- Lower anxiety & stress
Does science back up these claims, though? The lack of quality studies makes this a difficult question to answer at first glance. While we do need more information to come to concrete conclusions in some areas, the truth is that IV therapy has been around for decades for a reason. Myer’s Cocktail and its modified versions have been found effective in treating many conditions, such as:
- Migraines
- Acute Asthma Attacks
- Fatigue And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle Spasms
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
- Chronic Sinusitis
- Seasonal Allergies
- Cardiovascular Disease
While this list differs somewhat from the “popular claims,” it shows an impressive pattern of improving health and wellness. And there are studies that support these claims. For example, one study on patients with fibromyalgia showed that while patients who were given the placebo experienced improvements in tender points, those who received the actual therapy experienced sustained improvements in tender points, plus with their pain, depression, and quality of life. In addition, we have quality research showing the effectiveness of IV therapy for hydration. We also have evidence supporting the idea that vitamin IV therapy is a great way to replenish important nutrients quickly.
More research is needed to explore the effects on specific conditions, the claims about specific blends, and the consistency of results, but when it comes to improving your overall health with hydration, vitamins, and nutrients, it’s clear that there’s a place for IV therapy in the available treatment options.
Risks and Considerations
When considering available treatment options, it’s always important to educate yourself on any potential risks. Overall, IV therapy is a simple, safe procedure, but there are a few rare complications that can occur, such as:
- Air embolism
- Infection
- Vein damage
- Hematoma
Those risks apply to any IV treatment, but IV vitamin therapy adds a few other risks:
- Nutrient overload or vitamin toxicity. This is where you have too much of a vitamin or nutrient in your body, causing your kidneys to work overtime to eliminate the extra. Toxicity happens when the amount overwhelms your kidneys, and they are unable to eliminate it.
- Kidney stones. Too much vitamin C can cause your body to produce oxalates, which increase the risk of kidney stones developing.
- Nutritional imbalances. This can occur if you receive IVs too frequently. Common imbalances would be an electrolyte balance or a potassium overdose.
- Overhydration. Another risk of receiving treatments too often. Symptoms include nausea, headaches, and confusion.
Because of these risks, be sure to consult a trusted medical professional before starting IV therapy and use an experienced provider to administer the treatments. And if you have renal disease, low magnesium, low potassium levels, or heart problems, exercise extra caution.
The good news is that IV therapy is considered very safe, especially when used under the care of a doctor who knows your medical history and is familiar with prescribing these treatments. With a licensed professional like Dr. Roz, who is experienced in prescribing IV therapies, and skilled medical personnel who are trained to administer the IV properly, these highly beneficial treatments can improve your quality of life and keep you feeling healthy and vibrant.
Who Should Consider IV Therapy?
If all of this has you wondering if IV therapy is right for you, the answer is probably yes. Most people can benefit, even if it’s just for a hydration boost. However, individuals with nutrient deficiencies and dehydration will experience the most benefits, and your healthcare provider is an important resource during this process. If you’re feeling under the weather or just lower than usual, they can test for nutrient deficiencies and determine which treatment is right for you.
IV therapies can be a great addition to your overall wellness, especially when integrated into your medical treatment plan to help address known issues that you and your doctor are working to solve. They complement your healthy lifestyle, give a boost when your health is low due to illness or fatigue, and treat symptoms of chronic health complaints like fibromyalgia, fatigue, and pain.
IV Treatment in Scottsdale, AZ
IV therapy has emerged as a popular wellness trend for its ability to deliver nutrients into your bloodstream for immediate benefits. Whether you’re looking for improved hydration, faster recovery times, younger skin, better cognitive function, or a boost of energy, these therapies can be tailored to fit your unique health needs. And although it has its limitations and isn’t the magic fix-all that popular culture claims it is, research supports its many valuable uses, and we’re confident that time will reveal even more.
If you’re ready to explore this powerful treatment option, Dr. Roz is here to help. She will review your health history and work with you to design a personalized treatment plan that gives you the full benefits of IV therapy while aligning with your wellness goals.
Contact Dr. Roz’s office today to schedule a consultation and learn how IV therapy can help you live and feel your best.
