How does IV Therapy work? IV Vitamin Therapy works by administration of vitamins and nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. This provides increased cell absorption and 100% bioavailability of vitamins via IV infusion. Booster shots are administered via intramuscular (IM) injection so there is no GI metabolism, which also allows for increased absorption. With oral supplements of the same vitamins and nutrients, you only get about 20% absorption after filtering through your digestive system. That’s a big difference! How long does IV therapy last? After an IV infusion, the vitamins remain in your system and maintain your levels for 2-3 weeks because it is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and bypasses the GI tract. One intramuscular (IM) vitamin booster shot is equivalent to taking one week’s worth of oral vitamin supplements. How often should I receive IV therapy? The frequency of IV therapy is determined on a patient by patient basis. For preventative health and wellness, we recommend two IV drips per month to help balance out any vitamin deficiencies. Please consult with your primary doctor for further recommendation. Do you accept insurance? We do not accept insurance at our medical spa. However, we are happy to supply you a detailed receipt at the end of your visit should you wish to seek reimbursement on your own. Who administers the IV Drip Treatment? IV treatments are administered by a Board-Certified Nurse in our physician supervised medical spa. How long does it take? IV treatments generally take 1 hour, injections generally take 15 minutes. Should I consult my doctor first? Our IV treatments are elective, meaning that it is not required to have a doctor note prior to your appointment. However, you are welcomed and encouraged to consult with your primary doctor before starting a regimen of our IV treatments. Which IV should I get? Which do you recommend? Please give us a call at 772-400-2020 to discuss your needs and how we might be able to assist you!

Do you accept insurance? We do not accept insurance at our medical spa. However, we are happy to supply you a detailed receipt at the end of your visit should you wish to seek reimbursement on your own. Do I have to be completely undressed? You should undress to the level you are comfortable. For a full body massage, most get completely undressed. However, if you will be more comfortable during the session if you leave your underwear on, that’s fine. The therapist will work around the clothes you left on as best as he/she can. If removing all your clothes makes you too nervous and unable to relax, then you are not getting the optimal benefit from the session. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to undress and get comfortable on the table. If you prefer to stay fully clothed, then we recommend you explore the many other types of bodywork that are performed clothed. Do I have to cover myself with a sheet or towel? This is known as draping. Our therapists will insist on draping. Once you are undressed and on the table under the drape, the therapist will only uncover the part of your body being worked on. The genitals (women and men) and breasts (women) will not be uncovered. If the therapist is going to work on a woman’s abdomen, a second towel or sheet will be used to cover the breasts so the main sheet or towel can be moved to expose the abdomen. What do I do during a massage treatment? Make yourself comfortable! If your therapist wants you to adjust your position, she/he will either move you or will ask you to move what is needed. Otherwise, change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable. Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session; others prefer to talk. It’s completely up to you. It is your massage, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time. How long will a massage treatment last? Our massage treatments are between 60 to 90-minute sessions for optimal relaxation. We strongly encourage relaxation time prior to and after the session for the most optimal experience. Will the massage hurt? This depends on the type of massage and the depth of the strokes. A light, relaxing massage that doesn’t probe very deep into the muscles, shouldn’t hurt. Also, there is a ‘feels good’ hurt and an ‘ouch, stop it’ hurt. A good massage, even a deep tissue massage, should always stay in the ‘feels good’ hurt range. Pain can be an indication that the muscle is possibly injured or inflamed, and pressure should be adjusted. Also, pain can cause you to tighten up and negate the relaxing effects of the massage. The most effective and deepest massage always works with your body’s natural response, not against it. Furthermore, if you feel our massage is in the “ouch, stop it” hurt, do not hesitate to let our massage therapist know so that we can adjust and continue to provide an optimal experience. How often should I get a massage? This varies from person to person. If you are just looking for some occasional relaxation, then a session every 3-6 weeks may be fine for you. However, if you are looking to address a specific condition, then it is recommended to go more frequently at first and then slowly taper down to a maintenance schedule. Sometimes more frequent sessions can be effective until your goals are met, and a maintenance schedule is in place. Frequency of sessions should be discussed with your massage therapist after your treatment when he/she has a better hands-on understanding of your needs. Can I talk during my session? If you would like to talk, go right ahead! The important thing to remember is that this treatment is all about you relaxing and enjoying the experience. Many therapists discourage talking in hopes that you will relax, let your mind float free and enter a state of massage bliss. In many instances, people may feel more relaxed starting off talking, and as the massage progresses, enter quiet states of relaxation. The importance here is that there are times when you need to speak up. If our therapist is doing anything to make you uncomfortable, you should let her/him know immediately. Also, let him/her know if you get too warm or too cold, if the room is too bright, or if the pressure needs to be changed (lighter or deeper). If something is not working for you – speak up! Do I have to listen to music and sounds during my massage? No. While we offer music in each of our massage rooms, it is not required to be on. Furthermore, if a song is playing that isn’t helping you achieve your relaxation needs simply ask and our therapists will change it! How will I feel after my massage treatment? Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience a significant decrease or freedom from long-term aches and pains. Many feel a little slowed down for a short period and then notice an increase of energy, heightened awareness and increased productivity which can last for days. If you received a deep massage, you may be slightly sore the next day – much like a good workout at the gym. Sometimes a hot shower, or a soak in the tub can ease this soreness. After your session you should increase your water intake a bit. Just a glass or two more than normal is usually fine. This helps keep your body’s tissues hydrated and healthy. How many sessions will I need? This is difficult to say. Every person is unique, and every condition is unique to each person. It may take one session, or it may take several. You and your therapist will be able to talk more specifically about this after your first session. When should I not get a massage? You should not book a massage if you have a fever, cold/flu, are contagious or have a contagious skin infection. Please, stay at home and get better! We are happy to reschedule you once your symptoms subside. There are many other conditions in which your therapist may need to adapt his/her techniques, such as arthritis or osteoporosis, or avoid an area completely, like areas with cuts or burns. We strongly recommend consulting and seeking approval from your physician before you receive a massage if you have cancer, certain heart conditions, or are pregnant. This doesn’t mean you can’t get a massage, but it is always best to approach these conditions with caution.

What are some of the benefits of yoga? Yoga builds strength and flexibility. It also makes us more aware of our breath, which ultimately helps to relax and calm the body and mind. People who practice regularly often notice that they are happier, have better focus, and are more able to handle the stresses of everyday life. What happens if I’m not very flexible? We’ve heard that before! Being the least flexible person in the entire world is the best reason to try a Yoga class! But really, don’t worry if you can’t touch your toes or balance on one foot – flexibility will come with time. You don’t have to be flexible to try your first class. What should I wear? Wear something that you feel comfortable in that is easy to move around in. Lightweight, breathable materials that will absorb sweat and dry quickly are best. Shorts or leggings, a tee-shirt or a tank top are all great options. What happens if I’m running a little late for class? Stuff happens – we totally get it! But unfortunately, we can’t let latecomers in once class has started. Every class starts and ends on time to help provide a peaceful experience for all. Do you accept insurance? We do not accept insurance at our medical spa. However, we are happy to supply you a detailed receipt at the end of your visit should you wish to seek reimbursement on your own.

Do you accept insurance? We do not accept insurance at our medical spa. However, we are happy to supply you a detailed receipt at the end of your visit should you wish to seek reimbursement on your own. What is a mindfulness class? Meditation is a workout for your brain. It’s like exercise but less sweat. The difference is you’re consciously running towards yourself. What if I can’t sit still and my mind always wanders? Meditation doesn’t get rid of your thoughts, they will always be present, but we are here to help guide you to peacefully coexist with them. Even if you achieve just one second of a quiet mind, you have done wonders for yourself. Let’s be honest, sitting still away from the distractions of the Western world, is a gift to yourself. What should I wear? Whatever you are wearing will work. No need to change before class! How do I get started? Just book a class and show up. We will take care of the rest.

I keep hearing about added sugars. where can i find more information? For information about added sugars, including examples of what ingredients to look out for on the food package, read “What are added sugars?” From Choosemyplate.gov. For tips on reducing your intake of added sugars, check out Cut Down on Added Sugars, based on the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In addition, on May 20, 2016, the FDA announced the new Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. The final rule requires “Includes X g Added Sugars” to be included under “Total Sugars” to help consumers understand how much sugar has been added to the product. For more information, check out Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label. What is a ‘healthy diet’? A healthy eating pattern is one that provides enough of each essential nutrient from nutrient-dense foods, contains a variety of foods from all the basic food groups, and focuses on balancing calories consumed with calories expended to help you achieve and sustain a healthy weight. This eating pattern limits intake of solid fats, sugar, salt (sodium) and alcohol. How many servings from each food group do i need each day? The number of servings you need each day from each food group depends on your calorie needs. I’ve heard that people should cut back on how much trans fat they eat but i’m confused about what trans fats are and what foods have them. Check out the following resource from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that discusses trans fats and how to identify which foods contain them: Trans Fat Now Listed With Saturated Fat and Cholesterol on the Nutrition Facts Label. Also available in Spanish. I know there are different types of fiber in foods and that they have different effects on the body. can you tell me about them? how much fiber should i eat? Yes, the fiber in foods is generally broken down into two broad types – soluble (also called “viscous”) and insoluble. Both types have important health effects. According to the DRIs, the recommended intake for total fiber for adults up to 50 years of age is 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams for men. For those over 50, the recommended intake is 21 grams for women and 30 grams for men. How is food digested? Digestion begins in the mouth, when we chew and swallow, and is completed in the small intestine. Digestion involves the mixing of food, its movement through the digestive tract, and the breakdown of food into smaller molecules. The digestive process varies for different kinds of food. Do you accept insurance? We do not accept insurance at our medical spa. What is the difference between a registered dietitian nutritionist (rdn) and a nutritionist? An RDN is a nationally recognized credential and a Nutritionist is not. It doesn’t necessarily mean one is better than the other. It just indicates different training backgrounds and possibly a different approach to your case. All RDNs are also Nutritionists, but not all Nutritionists are RDNs. In most states, including Florida, you are required to have a Master’s Degree in Dietetics with 1200 intern hours, and registration through the accrediting agency Commission on Dietetics. What is the difference between a registered dietitian nutritionist (rdn) and a nutritionist? While I cannot order all the labs that you physician can or does, however, I may order labs tests with specific companies including Oxford Biotechnology (MRT food sensitivity testing), Spectracell, Dunwoody, and Cyrex. There are many avenues we can explore together using these advanced testing panels. If you do not live near my office and our appointments are conducted virtually, test kits will be shipped directly to your home and I will help identify a convenient blood draw location. Should i cancel my follow up visit if i did not adhere to the program? No, No and No. This is the reason why you should complete your follow up session. I’m here to support you and help you adhere. We will discuss the challenges you faced and how you can better overcome them next time. This process is not easy, and it takes time for a change to really stick. Be patient with yourself and know that I am here for support and encouragement. Are there any specific populations that you do not work with? I do not specialize in eating disorders or pediatrics; however, I work with teens based on their specific needs and if I feel I can address their concerns, parent support is essential. If I am not the best person for the job, I will do my best to make an appropriate referral.