Understanding How IV Therapy Works

Medical professionals often provide medications via pill or capsule for patients suffering with musculoskeletal pain, but a third option is available. Intravenous (IV) therapy provides a safe and efficient way of injecting vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs — straight into your bloodstream. 

At ChiroCare Therapy in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Steven Gentry, DC, provides intravenous infusions for various ailments as an outpatient procedure. Here’s everything you need to know about IV therapy.

What is IV therapy

IV drips administer medications, minerals, vitamins, stem cells, and peptides directly into your bloodstream, allowing your body to absorb up to 90% of them. Your cells absorb only about 50% of nutrients from oral supplements. 

The exact combination of minerals and vitamins you receive during your treatment session depends on why you’re receiving IV therapy, and Dr. Gentry goes over it with you before the treatment begins. Your personalized solution is designed to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote healing at the cellular level.

Before you receive treatment, a physical exam is required, and lab work may also be necessary to ensure that you’re a good candidate for IV therapy. Dr. Gentry may also request blood work and urinalysis to check for any hormonal or nutritional deficiencies depending on what you’re seeking treatment for. 

You must inform Dr. Gentry if you have any allergies or if you’re taking prescription medications, as some components of the IV solution could interact with certain drugs. 

Conditions IV therapy treats

IV therapy can help improve your quality of life by treating multiple conditions and providing the necessary minerals and vitamins that your body can use immediately when delivered via your bloodstream. Some of the conditions that benefit from IV therapy are: 

• Dehydration
• Fibromyalgia
• Neck pain
• Muscle spasms
• Back pain
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Migraines and headaches
• Personal and sports injuries
• Whiplash
• Jet lag

IV therapy can also help boost immunity, especially if you frequently suffer sinus infections or colds.

The IV therapy process

We administer your IV therapy treatment right in our office, and the appointment takes around an hour. Before beginning the IV drip, we sterilize the injection site and apply a topical numbing agent so you’re comfortable. 

We then carefully insert the needle into one of your arm veins, which connects to a hollow tube and IV bag. Inside the IV bag is a saline solution containing a mixture created for you that may contain minerals, vitamins, stem cells, and peptides. 

The solution takes 30 to 45 minutes to enter your bloodstream fully; during that time, you can relax and even nap if you like. Once you complete the treatment, we remove the needle and wrap the injection site with a bandage. 

Are you ready for an IV boost?

If you suffer with back, neck, and joint pain or any of the conditions listed above, IV therapy may be a perfect choice. Contact ChiroCare Therapy by calling our office, or schedule an appointment through this website by clicking the “Book online” button to begin your IV therapy treatments with Dr. Gentry.