IV Therapy in Edmonton

Intravenous Therapy FAQ

Why even use Intravenous Therapy?

Intravenous Treatment allows our Naturopaths to bypass the digestive tract and facilitates 100% absorption.

IV drips can create serum concentrations that are not possible when the same substances are taken orally.

We are able to give dramatically higher amounts of natural substances when done intravenously.

One favorite use of infusions at our office is to increase brain levels of particular substances for mood and cognitive enhancement.

Because of the large serum spikes attainable through IV Therapy administration we are able to drive more across the blood brain barrier.

What we've observed at our Edmonton office is that oral, sublingual, or intranasal administration of the same products rarely appreciably and obviously improve fatigue, mood or cognition.

Likely because these other routes of administration cannot achieve the high serum concentrations that are attainable with intravenous administration.

How does Intravenous Therapy work?

Because of the aforementioned high serum levels attainable through IV Therapy, it can allow for more effective cellular repletion.

The large rise in the serum concentration from Intravenous Therapy provides a window of opportunity for deficient cells to take up needed intermediates.

As the cells are “flooded” repeatedly from intravenous infusions those levels can build. 

It appears that some patients feel better and function better when they have higher levels (cellular and blood levels).

Some explanations of the mechanisms behind intravenous therapy suggest that certain natural substances have been shown to exert pharmacological effects, that is, effects that are different that their standard biochemical effects

How much does a IV Treatment cost?

Intravenous Treatments unfortunately are not cheap.

Average prices in Edmonton costs range between $130 and $200 on average per intravenous treatment

How often do I have to come for Intravenous Therapy? 

The frequency of IV Therapy depends on the condition being treated as well as the IV being given.

For instance, for energy, our Naturopaths usually administer one IV Therapy treatment per week (administration time is usually less than 20 minutes) weekly for 3-4 consecutive weeks to achieve sustained cellular and blood levels.

Further intravenous treatments are done every 4-8 weeks as a "booster" to maintain the effect.

Some patients are able to complete a series of IV treatments and can go without further IV Treatments for long periods of time.

They then can "drop in" periodically for a booster treatment as needed a few times per year. 

Is Intravenous Therapy Safe? 

Yes, despite being somewhat invasive, IV Therapy is a safe and has a low risk of adverse side effects when appropriate doses and administration rates are used.

Before undergoing any intravenous treatment, we always review your health history and assess labs to make sure there are no contraindications to treatment. 

Doses used are adjusted to the individual needs of a given patient, and every IV therapy treatment in under medical supervision.

We've administered over 14000 Intravenous Therapy treatments at our Edmonton office with an almost non existent incidence of adverse effects.

Occasionally patients feel discomfort at the IV site during concentrated IV treatments.

If needed we may dilute the IV or may apply heat to the site.

Rarely, do patients feel more tired or "out of sorts" the next day after an infusion.

Who administers the Intravenous Therapy?

Your Intravenous Therapy will be administered by one of our IV licensed Naturopathic Doctors or by a Nurse.

Our NDs have done both basic and advanced IV Therapy training in addition to their standard training as Naturopathic doctors. 

How do I prepare for my Intravenous Treatment?

Staying hydrated the day before and day of your IV treatment is helpful to increase the appearance of your veins.

Also feel free to use one of our heating pads to warm your arms right before your treatment.

Eating a snack or a small meal before your treatment is also great to reduce chances of nausea or lightheadedness. 

Our Naturopaths do a lot of IV Therapy at our Edmonton office and generally do not have issues with IV administration, even in those with "tricky" veins. 

Is IV Therapy safe for children?

Although we don't do IV Therapy in young children frequently, it is possible to do and safe to use in children.

Naturally doses are adjusted downwards based off of bodyweight.

Can you do Intravenous Therapy if you are pregnant?

We do a limited amount of IV Therapy in pregnancy.

Commonly, hydration is sought out by pregnant patients.

How long do Intravenous Treatments take?

The length of time for an IV Treatment differs depending on the therapy chosen.

Our fastest drips can be 10 to 15 minutes whereas hydration or cancer infusions can take two to three hours.

Can you create specific an IV Treatment based off my individual needs?

Our Naturopaths do offer advanced testing our Edmonton clinic to determine if you need any additional substances in particular. 

How quickly does someone feel better after an Intravenous Treatment?

IV Therapy can give rapid results.

For energy, with a short volume drip or push, we usually see positive effects within 24 hours.

Improved sleep and reduced anxiety can happen the same day as a IV Treatment.

Some of our mitochondrial oriented IV treatments can frequently improve energy and cognition the same day as the treatment, often beginning right after the treatment ends. 

Fatigue

IV therapy is most commonly used for fatigue

Our Naturopathic Doctors always do a robust workup for fatigue.

Our clinic uses natural substances intravenously to enhance energy production pathways.

For energy we usually start with simple, yet extremely versatile infusions.  

The drips we use is typically a short length, small volume IV drip or "push"

The same IV is also used in Fibromyalgia, Depression & Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Our Experience: We've seen IV Therapy profoundly improve fatigue many patients.

Benefits are typically seen within 24 hours.

Frequently given 1x weekly for 3-4 weeks to build up cellular and blood levels.

Higher infusion rapidity and concentration can result in enhanced effects. 

Our Experience: We've seen some patients respond favorably over time to these skin infusions.

Very frequently patients do 1-2 cosmetic oriented IV treatments weekly for 8 - 12 weeks.

A middle-aged woman with a 3-week history of viral pneumonia was given an intravenous immune oriented infusion. Halfway through the infusion, she became symptom-free, and at a follow-up visit 1 week later her symptoms had not recurred. 

A 20-year-old male with severe fatigue secondary to mono was given an immune oriented IV every other day for a total of 3 treatments. He felt markedly better within 48 hours, and he recovered uneventfully without a recurrence of symptoms.

Our Experience: We've seen many patients feel dramatically better after receiving IV therapy for colds and flus.

We usually recommend an IV as soon as possible at the onset of acute symptoms.

In one 2016 study, 50% of regular mice died within 3.5 months, and all had passed by 5 months whereas nearly 80% of those fed a sirtuin activator survived over 10 months.

Our Experience: Quantifying longevity is challenging, however many patients remark that they feel more energetic and younger when they receive substances that are reputed to be prolongevity. 

IV therapy for longevity is usually given once weekly for 4 weeks to build up levels and most patients drop in once monthly to keep their levels sustained.

Athletic Performance 

IV therapy and IV fluids can give an edge.

IV Therapy can be a powerful way to enhance energy, stamina and focus for sports performance.

We often start our Edmonton athletes off with a simple concentrated IV for energy.

IV Therapy is the superior way to improve hydration status for athletes - we can easily deliver additional fluid prior to events or afterwards to enhance recovery.

Using ingredients that improve mitochondrial function has proven to be tremendous for enhancing energy and focus and can easily be done concurrently with a rehydration bag.

Our Experience: Our athletes have remarked that they have better stamina, and less downtime after their events if they regularly use IV therapy.

We usually recommend preloading the IV treatments before an event.

Fertility 

IV therapy can be a useful adjunct in both female and male fertility.

Both egg and sperm quality can be enhanced with IV Therapy.

Numerous studies indicate that increasing levels of key natural substances can improve sperm, egg and embryo quality. 

We are able to deliver some of these main fertility oriented substances intravenously.

Intravenous delivery can achieve superior levels compared to oral intake.

Our Experience: Our Naturopathic Doctors frequently use IV therapy as part of our fertility protocols especially if female patients have reduced ovarian reserve which occurs with age.

Your fertility oriented Naturopathic Doctor will determine if infusions are right in your case.

Mood 

IV Drips play a crucial role in both anxiety and depression

We can compliment our oral mood treatments with IV therapy.

Vitamin, hormone and neurotransmitter testing is often used to uncover the causes of your mood issues.

IV delivery can typically increase brain levels of key biochemical substances for anxiety and depression much more robustly than taking those same substances orally.

Certain ingredients we use in our infusions can increase production of SAMe, which is involved in production of Serotonin and Dopamine (along with BH4).

Our Experience: IV Therapy for mood is a preferred treatment because, in our experience, it can give rapid results like no other natural treatment can.

Additional Conditions 

Interested in IV Therapy?

Call our Naturopaths! 
(780) 757-8378