What is an IV Treatment?

IV treatments, also referred to as IV therapy or infusion therapy, are treatments that deliver a dosage of nutrients to a patient through an IV. They have a variety of benefits, and can be customized to your individual needs. You may be familiar with this service as it is used in hospitals and many other medical situations, but IV treatments have extended past this singular purpose.

Nutrient IV treatments can now be found in almost every city—they are offered in some malls, clinics, and even through the convenience of mobile IV companies. We love how accessible and mainstream these options are, and wanted to highlight some differences between two of the main types: wellness treatments and therapeutic treatments. 

At Minneapolis Integrative Medicine Clinic, we focus on therapeutic IV treatments. Offering therapeutic treatments allows us to customize our drips and injections to each patient, their unique conditions, and the treatment plan we’ve devised together! But you may be wondering which could be a better fit for you. Below we’ll highlight some key differences, so you can be more familiar with this beneficial service!

Wellness IV Treatments

Wellness IV options have become very popular as of late. They focus on providing hydration, glow, energy, light immune support, and hangover relief. The nutrient dosages in these treatments are lower to make it safe for the masses, without having to gather too much information from the receiving individual. In doing so, the barriers to entry are minimal, but come with little scientific evidence—and while they might seem like a miracle treatment, that’s rarely the case.

Wellness IV treatments gained a lot of popularity among celebrity endorsements, and this gave rise to establishments such as drip bars. With the rise in popularity of these wellness IV treatments came criticisms, as they were viewed similarly to beauty trends. However, not all IV treatments are created the same!

Therapeutic IV Treatments

Therapeutic IVs are treatments used to provide healing benefits to patients, primarily those who are experiencing symptoms from a health condition. These treatments contain higher nutrient dosages, and are formulated by providers who screen for safety prior to administration. These medical professionals focus on treating the root cause of their patients’ conditions. Some common conditions include autoimmune diseases, adjunctive cancer care, malabsorption conditions, and chemical detoxification. The main goal is to help replenish the nutrients lost due to the patient’s specific condition.

This highlights the primary difference between a wellness IV and therapeutic IV, as the latter is preformed alongside a deeper look into the patients’ health history, symptoms, and underlying conditions. They are designed to help patients bounce back from sickness or better manage their chronic conditions. Therefore, therapeutic IVs are a more involved service with coordination between both the provider and their patient!

Both therapeutic and wellness IV experiences are safe, calm, and generally comfortable (as long as you’re okay with IVs to begin with). Both types are administered by trained professionals who can provide eduction and keep you at ease during the service. However, the benefits offered from these two treatment types vary, so it is important to look into which treatment may be best for your individual needs.

IV Infusions at MIMC

Minneapolis Integrative Medicine Clinic is happy to offer therapeutic infusion therapy services to our patients and community. We offer the following therapeutic treatments at our clinic:

• Complete Nutrient Infusion: Great for those with conditions that may limit the absorption of nutrients (gut issues, celiac disease, SIBO, etc.). Can also help aid in recovery from alcohol use, allergies, and more.
• Immunity Infusion: This option can aid in recovery after an illness has passed, and help prevent future illnesses. Also great for treating patients with chronic infections such as Lyme’s or reactivated EBV (mono).
• Adrenal Loving Infusion: This infusion helps calm the nervous system and relieve symptoms of adrenal fatigue. It is great for patients with POTS or other dysautonomia.
• Liver/Detox Infusion: We use this in-house for supporting blood sugar regulation, fatty liver recovery, and environmental detox (of mold and heavy metals). It is also a great choice for people who experience estrogen dominance.
• High-Dose Glutathione Infusion: This infusion helps relieve those with fatigue, brain fog, poor recovery from exercise or illness, and slow metabolism. We also use this infusion for environmental detox, supporting brain/cognition, liver issues, and support in cancer therapies (radiation).
• NAD+ Infusion: We offer this option to those who need a boost in energy; also supports hormone production, detoxification, DNA/cellular repair, and more.

Established patients of MIMC can reach out to their healthcare provider or a member of the administrative team to get scheduled for an IV! Or, check out our infusion room page to view our services more in-depth. Members at MIMC can expect to receive their 10% discount on all infusion and injection services.

Non-established patients should reach out to the MIMC administrative team to see what options are available to them, as some infusions may require a referral from a licensed healthcare provider. You can also email us at hello@mplsimc.com!

RELATED: What is Seasonal Affective Disorder + What Treatment Might Work for Me?

RELATED: Integrative Cancer Care

Dr. Cassie Wilder

Dr. Cassie Wilder is a registered Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) and founder of MIMC. Her passion is empowering her patients through education, understanding, and support through their healing journey.

After graduating from Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and Health, Dr. Wilder earned her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, a fully accredited and nationally recognized institution in Phoenix, AZ.

During her clinical training, she received extensive hands-on training with many leading experts in the field of functional medicine and developed a passion for treating hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, cardiovascular concerns, and adrenal fatigue.