IV Therapy's Growing Popularity as a Holistic Approach to Health and Wellness

While a nourishing diet, regular exercise, and abstinence from various vices can benefit the body and mind long-term, there are other options available modern day that can provide an extra boost of nutrition — almost instantaneously.

Enter intravenous therapy, also known as IV therapy. This innovative treatment is designed to deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and hydration directly into the bloodstream, providing rapid absorption and other advantages that traditional oral supplements may not be able to match.

Breaking Down IV Therapy

Though this treatment option was invented in the 1970s by Baltimore-based physician, Dr. John Myers, intravenous therapy gained mainstream appeal over the past decade, as celebrities such as Chrissey Teigen, Rihanna, Simon Cowell, and the Kardashians began publicizing their personal use.

Typically accessible via med spas and hydration clinics, IV therapy has helped turn medical aesthetics into a $15 billion wellness industry, according to the American Med Spa Association, and is a service that we are proud to offer at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort. Through the Biostation, a state-of-the-art anti-aging and medical wellness facility is housed on property at the resort. What’s more — we offer an extensive menu of IV nutrient therapies and injections that can be personalized for hydration, energy, detoxification, strength and more. Offerings include:

• bHydrated IV provides a vitamin B12 energy boost, complex B vitamins, and hydration to quench the body’s thirst for nutrients and fluids and treat various forms of fatigue.
• bRepaired IV combats a hangover by replenishing lost hydration and rebalancing the body after a long night out or a day spent sipping in the Florida sunshine.
• bTrim IV maximizes workouts and fat-burning efforts via a specialized metabolism resetting formula and muscular performance booster to support weight control, improve circulation and help alleviate depression.
• bImmune IV supports immunity with a powerful combination of vitamin C and D, zinc, lysine and B vitamins.
• bAthletic IV offers a supercharged does of amino acids, plus vitamins and minerals to power one’s workout.
• bWell IV is inspired by the original Myers’ Cocktail, promoting overall wellness through a carefully crafted blend of essential vitamins and minerals.
• NAD+ IV utilizes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme found in all living cells, to promote longevity, anti-aging and overall well-being.

IV Therapy Benefits

Among the noteworthy features of IV therapy is ease of customization to meet specific health goals and the better to cater to busy, health-conscious lifestyles. From enhancing skin health to bolstering the immune system, and even heightening athletic performance, the direct infusion of nutrients into the bloodstream lends itself to producing rapid results, a striking benefit for anyone pursuing speedy relief from a range of pressing health concerns such as jet lag and fatigue, as well as overall rejuvenation and wellness.

Restoration of hydration is a foundational benefit of IV therapy, countering the dehydrating effects of illnesses such as influenza, bronchitis, bladder infections, colds, and sore throats; intense physical activity; and hot and dry climates – even hot and dry days. Detoxification is another, with many IV Therapies incorporating antioxidants such as glutathione, a peptide found in plants and animals that protects against free radicals, peroxides and heavy metals, supports liver function, and eliminates drugs and pollutants to improve health and vitality.

IV therapies can also be effective for nutritional deficiencies caused by digestive problems or restrictive diets, and for alleviating symptoms of chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome that can cause pain, fatigue, anxiety and sleep issues. Strategic combinations of vitamins and minerals delivered directly into the bloodstream via IV have been found to support mood and cognitive function, improving the emotional well-being for those who could use, such as those burdened by anxiety, depression and day-to-day stress.

If all of the above weren’t enough, IV therapy is also employed to address aesthetic concerns, with direct delivery of essential nutrients resulting in improvements to the quality of skin, hair and nails. Whether tapped proactively or reactively, IV therapy can cater to a host of health and wellness needs. But, wellness seekers should be careful about approaching such therapy willy-nilly or based on a social media post from the latest celebrity.

Related: 3 Spas Offering IV Therapy Treatments

Important Reminders

Before receiving the benefits of IV Therapy from the medical professionals at The Biostation at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, for instance, clients first undergo a comprehensive consultation including a state-of-the-art diagnostic test to measure over 100 biomarkers including cardiovascular, thyroid, liver, kidney, cholesterol, inflammation, bone, adrenals and more.

That is followed by an in-depth consultation with a medical provider; a non-invasive body composition analysis to detail the breakdown of weight by muscle, fat and water; and the development of a personalized treatment plan, better known as a bioID. Such steps can be significant. After all, as model/media personality, Kendall Jenner, learned the hard way when she was hospitalized before the 90th Academy Awards in 2018 for “a bad reaction” to a vitamin IV drip; IV therapy does carry risks.

Also, bear in mind the cost of various IV therapies can add up quickly. Forbes Health recently noted that elective IV therapy is “generally not covered by health insurance, and each infusion can sport a hefty price tag” in the neighborhood of $200 to $400 per treatment “depending on the chosen hydration or vitamin mixture.”

Whatever the cost or the treatment, wellness seekers keen to try IV therapy should be certain their provider is experienced, delivers injections via legitimate medical professionals, and is upfront about the sources for the vitamins and other supplements they offer. Recipients should also consult with their own medical professionals before starting to ensure there are no red flags in their personal health history.

Tammy Pahel, VP of spa and wellness operations at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, is a transformative and strategic spa, wellness, fitness and retail executive with 30 years of leadership experience. She’s responsible for all spa, health, wellness and fitness operations at Carillon, including forecasting, talent acquisition, learning and development.