IV Therapy

IV Therapy is exactly that, therapy.

It is not a coffee shop where you order your latte with almond milk and a shot of caramel.

It is not a lounge, bar, or drive thru.   It is a medical therapy.

At Philosophy of beauty, we take your health seriously.  We specialize in comprehensive integrative therapies.  The initial consultation will include a comprehensive medical assessment to determine if this treatment is right for you and to set out a treatment plan.  This assessment will include a requisition to obtain basic diagnostic blood work to inform the individualized treatment plan.

Micronutrient Intravenous therapy (MIV therapy) is the infusion of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly into the vein.

Types of intravenous/ injection therapies:

High dose intravenous vitamin C therapy

Low-dose vitamin C, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, calcium and magnesium.

Vitamin B12, D injections

A little bit about micronutrient therapy:

Micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, are essential for the optimal functioning of our cells. They are necessary for all physiologic body processes including cellular healing and metabolism. Many people are not receiving optimal levels of micronutrients due to poor diet, food sensitivities, chronic inflammation, poor immune function, or chronic illness.

Intravenous (IV) micronutrient therapies deliver essential vitamins and minerals the body needs directly into the bloodstream.  When taken by mouth, the vitamins get reduced by as much as 50% or more by the digestive tract and liver.  When given through an IV infusion, they are absorbed at a much higher percentage up to (90 percent). Higher levels of vitamins and minerals in the bloodstream lead to greater uptake into the cells, where all physiologic body processes take place.  IV micronutrient therapy may also accelerate the wound healing process. Vitamins used in the IVs are water soluble, so once your body uses what’s needed, it will excrete the excess through your kidneys into your urine.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has several functions including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and plays a role in immune function, as well as prevention in several disease processes such as cardiac disease, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts. One of the most important functions of Vitamin C is assisting in the formation of collagen. It is considered a co-factor in proline and lysine hydroxylation which is a necessary step in the formation of collagen. It also provides tensile strength to newly built collagen; otherwise, new tissue could not stretch without tearing. This proves to be helpful in patients with pressure ulcers, burns and wounds.

Overall, vitamin C supplementation has consistently shown benefit to wound healing.

Coming Soon:

B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, calcium and magnesium.

Vitamin B12, D injections

Safety

As with any treatment that involves an IV, there’s always a risk of infection. There is a very low risk of infection with IV therapy. When the IV catheter is inserted, it creates a direct path into your bloodstream and bypasses your body’s first defense mechanism against bacteria: your skin.  The procedure is safe when carried out properly following medical aseptic technique.  IV therapy should be performed by a professional regulated clinician and each patient should go through a thorough intake appointment with blood work to ensure IV therapy will be safe and effective for them.

When you arrive, the nurse will assess and prepare the insertion site for the IV catheter into your arm or hand.  The skin will be cleansed with an antiseptic, a tourniquet applied, and the catheter inserted.  The IV tubing will then be attached, and the infusion will run for 30-90 minutes.

There is mild temporary discomfort during the catheter insertion. You may feel a small sting or pinch for a few seconds when the needle is inserted in your arm or hand. If you’re particularly sensitive to needles, you may want to ask for a numbing cream, so you don’t feel the needle as much when it goes in.

IV therapy lasts anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the prescribed dose and volume.

1 to 2 treatments monthly are recommended to maintain your desired health goals for most people. The frequency of your treatment will depend on your individual goals and treatment plan.

IV micronutrient therapy is a good option for those who have a nutritional deficiency or people who have medical conditions that make it difficult to get their daily nutrients through their diet. This treatment can be incredibly beneficial for supporting good health, correcting certain deficiencies, and potentially preventing other health conditions.

The treatment is contraindicated for those with some types of kidney disease or heart conditions as the organs may not be able to process high concentrations of vitamins at one time. People with certain heart or blood pressure conditions can also be at risk of fluid overload from the infusion.  Those with pre-existing renal insufficiency/failure or glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are not candidates for IV micronutrient therapy. Our medical consultation will determine any potential contraindications for the therapy.

Once the treatment is over, there is no downtime.

Keep adhesive bandage in place for 1 hour.

The results from absorbing the vitamins and minerals in your IV micronutrient treatment may take several days to produce noticeable results. Most people will be able to feel the results of this treatment within a few hours or days, depending on which vitamins and minerals are used for your IV treatment. Immediate results can be contributed to the instant hydration from the saline solution that is the base of this therapy. Normal saline (0.9%) instantly hydrates the body.  Most people are lacking hydration without realizing it, so when re-hydrated, people may feel more energy.

The results from absorbing the vitamins and minerals in your IV micronutrient treatment may take several days to produce noticeable results. Once the nutrients are in your bloodstream, your blood will distribute these nutrients to the cells of your body, which will then support essential biological processes. Most people will have noticeable results, such as more energy, within a week.

Make sure you have eaten and come hydrated to your IV treatment.  This will promote optimal conditions for the therapy.

Wear comfortable clothing. This serves a dual purpose. First, it’s practical — one of our healthcare professionals will take your vital signs and insert the IV catheter — and wearing loose-fitting clothes will make this process easier. Second, while we’ll make sure you’re in a comfortable environment, what you wear can help make you feel more relaxed. Wear layers to keep you comfortable if the temperature fluctuates.

Bring a book, magazine, or your devices to relax while receiving treatment.

Keep adhesive bandage in place for 1 hour.

We encourage you to drink at least 1 litre of water over 4 hours after your IV infusion

If enough water is not consumed, you may experience any of the following symptoms: headaches, nausea, joint pain, blurred vision, cramping (GI and/or muscular), mental confusion or disorientation.

In the days that follow the session, check the injection site for bruising or swelling.

Warm packs and elevating your arm can be used for any bruising at the site.

Cold packs can be used for pain relief and to decrease any swelling at the site.

Shower or bathe as you normally would.

As you do your regular activities, be mindful of the injection site for a day or two. Try to prevent it from having rough contact with anything.

Continue to live a healthy lifestyle with daily activity/exercise, eating a balanced whole food diet, staying hydrated, limiting highly processed, high trans-fat foods, and eliminating toxins such as alcohol and tobacco smoke.

IV micronutrient therapy can be a useful adjunct to platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy, recovery after skin resurfacing treatments, and procedures to decrease fat and increase muscle mass.

Taking over the counter vitamins by mouth.

Intravenous (IV) micronutrient therapies deliver essential vitamins and minerals the body needs directly into the bloodstream.  When taken by mouth, the vitamins get reduced by as much as 50% or more by the digestive tract and liver.  When given through an IV infusion, they are absorbed at a much higher percentage up to (90 percent).  Higher levels of vitamins and minerals in the bloodstream lead to greater uptake into the cells, where all physiologic body processes take place.

At Philosophy of beauty, we take your health seriously. We are a team of highly educated professional health care providers including registered nurses and nurse practitioners. We specialize in comprehensive integrative therapies with our clients as collaborative partners in health.