The History of IV Therapy
Attempts at IV therapy can be validated through time starting as early as the 1400s. Those early attempts were not always successful and developments in IV therapy slowly pressed forward until the mid-1800s with the development of needles and syringes. In the late 1800s, IV therapy started to become common with the introduction of using anesthesia before surgical procedures.
IV therapy has come a long way since then. Once only available in a hospital setting, IV therapy is now common in the wellness, health, and travel industries. But what exactly is IV therapy, and how does it work?
What Exactly is IV Therapy?
IV therapy, also referred to as intravenous micronutrient therapy or vitamin IV therapy, administers a high dose of minerals and vitamins directly into your bloodstream. The exact vitamins and minerals used can be personalized to what your body needs, and the frequency of the therapy varies depending on your wellness goals.
IV therapy may help with a number of medical conditions. These include:
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Migraines
- DepressionÂ
- Dehydration
- Cardiovascular Disease Â
- InflammationÂ
- Digestive issuesÂ
While being a possible support for alleviating the symptoms of the medical conditions mentioned above, IV therapy is also used in a proactive approach to wellness. Some possible lifestyle affiliations that may be relieved with IV therapy include:
- Hangover reliefÂ
- Athletic performance reliefÂ
- Immunity supportÂ
- ExhaustionÂ
- Nutritional deficienciesÂ
IV therapy has many benefits worth investigating. There are definite reasons why IV therapy works, let’s check those out.
Reasons Why IV Therapy Works
With any new trend in the wellness arena, the question of whether that trend really works is always top of mind. Although IV therapy isn’t necessarily a trend, or “new”, using it for wellness is relatively modern to many. Just as IV therapy was developed and perfected for use in the medical arena, IV therapy has been carefully fine-tuned for use in the wellness industry.
Let’s get to the reasons why IV therapy works for wellness.
#1. Fast Acting. By inserting minerals, nutrients, and fluids directly into the vein, healthcare professionals can help a patient recover quickly. This may be particularly useful if the person needs fluids or electrolytes quickly, such as during severe dehydration.
Taking vitamins and minerals in tablet form, or drinking them dissolved in water means extra time for those vitamins and minerals to take hold and be absorbed by the body. By using the bloodstream to deliver these nutrients, you are getting faster absorption which means faster results.
#2. More Efficient. As mentioned above, the bloodstream is the fastest way to deliver nutrients. IV therapy is more efficient because it avoids entering the digestive tract. This makes it easier for organs to grab those nutrients and not have to wait for them to be digested first.
When you consume minerals and vitamins by mouth, digestive enzymes break down supplements and food, which can keep your body from absorbing all of the nutrients. During this process, your body may absorb only about half of the available nutrients, while the remainder is excreted via your urine.
#3. Restores Hydration. If you are dehydrated, the fastest way to become hydrated is through IV therapy. IV therapy can be an effective way to restore hydration after a period of excessive alcohol intake, intense exercise, or persistent vomiting or diarrhea. Pre- and post-performance hydration can help prevent heat exhaustion and enhance hydration for athletes who perform in hot environments.
If illness or other factors increase your risk of severe dehydration, IV therapy can help you avoid this potentially life-threatening condition. Rehydrating your body with IV therapy can also help you fight exhaustion and jet lag that can occur as a result of daily stress and overexertion.
#4. Boosts Immunity. IV therapy can be an effective tool in helping your immune system fight off viral infections and chronic illnesses. The most common IV Therapy drip is named for John Myers, MD, a pioneer in the use of IV nutritional medicine. The main ingredients include magnesium, B vitamins, calcium, and vitamin C.
A Myers cocktail can also promote relief from certain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, fatigue, muscle aches, stress, migraines, depression, allergies, and acute asthma attacks.
#5. Personalized. One of the most important aspects of why IV therapy works is because it is personally curated to the needs of your body. By choosing what specific minerals and vitamins your body needs, you receive a tailored approach to wellness.
Getting Started with IV Therapy
Figuring out which IV therapy provider to use may seem overwhelming. Luckily, 10X Health makes that decision easy. Our 10X Health professionals will help customize an IV therapy session for you that fits your exact needs.
10X Health is a leader in the wellness industry and understands how IV therapy can benefit your wellness goals. Scheduling an IV drip therapy session with us is easy and may be the start of achieving your optimal wellness.
Schedule an IV appointment at one of our wellness centers today!