IV Therapy gives you a fast and easy way to receive vitamins, minerals and fluids directly into your body without having them digested. The procedure takes less than an hour and is usually painless.
First, a health care 417 Integrative Medicine professional will disinfect the skin on your arm and find a suitable vein for inserting the IV. A small tube called a “cannula” is inserted into the vein (see photo). The end of the cannula is attached to a larger tubing that is hooked to a bag of fluids. The IV is then turned on and the fluid drips into your vein (photo).
Beyond the Needle: Demystifying IV Therapy and Its Role in Health and Wellness
The base ingredient in most IV treatments is a saline solution. This is made of water and sodium chloride and serves as the delivery system for other ingredients, like amino acids, dextrose and vitamin B. Lactated Ringer’s solution (which contains calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium lactate) is also an option. This is the IV solution you’ve probably seen in medical dramas and is used to treat dehydration and for surgical patients.
The other ingredients depend on the type of treatment you are receiving. For example, weight loss IVs are typically designed to promote healthy metabolism and boost energy levels. Vitamin B complex, meanwhile, can help with things like energy production and nervous system function. The best part is that most IVs can be customized based on the results you want to achieve and the parts of your body they touch.