Does IV Therapy Hurt?

Your body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to facilitate thousands of enzymatic processes every day. Whether it’s to create energy, detoxify, or balance your pH, these essential nutrients are crucial for optimal health. Without them, your body can’t function the way that it should.

In an ideal world, the foods we eat would give us sufficient amounts of nutrients, but unfortunately, even those who eat well-balanced diets still struggle with vitamin deficiencies. This is because our modern diet is full of processed and genetically modified foods, and our soil is depleted, which means even the healthiest foods aren’t as nutritious as they once were. 

Those who grew up eating a standard American diet (read: “the majority of us”) most likely have some degree of gut permeability. This means that the digestive tract isn’t able to absorb key nutrients. Even if your diet is “perfect”, your body can only use what it can absorb, so if your gut isn’t absorbing the healthy foods you’re eating, it can’t utilize all of those nutrients! If you have a leaky gut, you will always have a lower concentration of nutrients circulating in your system.

Over time, these deficiencies can lead to a myriad of health problems and can keep you from feeling your best.

It is a valuable addition to your health and wellness regimen, but there are two main factors that prevent some people from enjoying the benefits of IV therapy. Some people are afraid of needles or worry that IV therapy will hurt, and others worry that it will cause cosmetic issues such as swelling or bruising. Today we will review the benefits of IV therapy, whether or not IV therapy hurts, and how to prevent and manage bruising or swelling.

What Is IV Therapy?

Intravenous (IV) therapy is a healing method in which a high dose of vitamins and minerals are injected directly into your bloodstream. This is more effective than oral supplementation because with IV therapy, the nutrients bypass the digestive system. Remember how leaky gut can reduce absorption rates? IV Therapy bypasses leaky gut! By injecting vitamins directly into your bloodstream, your body is able to absorb and utilize 100% of the vitamins, and won’t lose any potency by being passed through your hostile digestive system.

High concentrations of intravenous vitamins gives your body the tools it needs to heal at a cellular level. Your IV treatment will fill each cell with bioavailable nutrients that will help them regenerate and restore them back to full health and optimal function.

It is safe and effective for virtually everyone, especially those with specific health conditions or deficiencies. In many cases, our patients will talk with a registered dietician to customize their vitamin blends to address their individual needs. What can IV therapy treat? It’s useful as a hangover cure, anti-aging treatment, athletic performance enhancement, or general wellness aid.

Does IV Therapy Hurt?

Not everyone feels comfortable around needles, and many of our members will ask us if IV therapy hurts. The short answer is, “No!” Besides a little prick, IV therapy is safe and painless.

Of course, everyone has a different pain tolerance, so what is completely painless to one person, might feel uncomfortable to someone else. That being said, we strive to make your IV therapy treatment as comfortable as possible. For those who are extra sensitive to or have a phobia of needles, you can opt to use a lidocaine numbing spray to eliminate any sensation at the injection site. Our rooms are clean and comfortable, so that you can receive your infusion in peace. 

In the end, it is not a painful experience. It doesn’t hurt much. It is an outpatient treatment that we offer in the comfort of our comfortable Newton, MA clinic, and most of our clients find IV therapy a very calm and relaxing experience.

Does it cause bruising? 

Everyone’s body responds differently to IV injections, and while most people feel great afterward and have no side effects, others may experience minor bruising or swelling at the injection site. While this response is rare, there are a few steps you can take to alleviate the cosmetic side effects of IV therapy.

To prevent bruising, it is best to avoid NSAIDs, herbs, blood thinning medication, alcohol, or aspirin in the 24 hours leading up to and after your IV therapy treatment. If despite your best efforts you still experience minor bruising or swelling, simply apply an ice pack to the area for a day or two after your treatment. This will help reduce bruising. In addition, avoid any strenuous exercise for 24 hours following your treatment to help prevent bruising that may be caused by an increase in heart rate and blood flow.

IV therapy is a simple outpatient treatment that our clients find very relaxing and painless. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of an IV. For most people, IV therapy doesn’t hurt and they love feeling energized and refreshed after an infusion of vitamins. Our priority is to make sure you are comfortable at all times, so we are happy to help you if you have a fear of needles or are worried about cosmetic bruising after your treatment. 

To learn more about IV therapy and schedule your session, call our Newton, MA office today!