IV therapy after a race in Brisbane
When to book it, what it can reasonably do — and the anti-doping rule every tested athlete needs to read before they book anything.
Read this first if you are a tested athlete
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, intravenous infusions and injections above a set volume within a twelve-hour period are prohibited at all times unless received in a hospital, during a surgical procedure, or in the course of a clinical diagnostic investigation — or covered by an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption. A wellness infusion at home does not meet those conditions.
If you compete under an anti-doping framework — national federation, state league, triathlon, cycling, rowing, masters competition — check the current rule with Sport Integrity Australia and your federation before you book, not after. The responsibility for what enters your body sits with you, and we would rather lose the booking than have you risk a sanction.
Recreational runners not subject to testing are not affected by this. If you are unsure whether it applies to you, assume it might and check.
What it can and cannot do
An infusion does not repair muscle damage, and it does not shorten the time your body needs after a hard race. Delayed soreness is inflammation and micro-damage doing what it does, and it resolves on its own schedule.
What people book it for is fluid replacement and a supervised hour of sitting still, at home, the day after an event — rather than as a performance intervention. That is an honest description of the service, and we would rather set that expectation now than have you disappointed on the day.
If you feel genuinely unwell after a race — persistent vomiting, confusion, very dark urine, no urine output, or unusual muscle pain and swelling — that is a medical situation. Go to a doctor or an emergency department, not a wellness booking.
Timing around Brisbane's race calendar
Most people book the day after rather than the afternoon of.
Race day itself
Big Brisbane events finish on a Sunday morning, and our hours are Monday to Friday with Saturday by appointment. Plan for the Monday.
The day after
The common choice. Book the slot before race weekend, because everyone else has the same idea at the same time.
Road closures
Major events close inner-city and riverside roads. If you are in South Brisbane or New Farm, tell us — arrival times shift.
Booking as a running group or club
Common after a big event, and it works the same as any group booking.
Everyone is assessed alone
Individual health assessment and individual consent, even when the club organises it.
Anyone can be declined
A nurse can decline one runner and proceed with the rest. Nobody is charged if they are declined at screening.
Allow the time
Around 75 to 90 minutes per person, overlapping rather than strictly sequential.
Group discounts apply
From three people up. Full terms on the group bookings page.
Individual results may vary. All treatments are subject to health screening and nurse assessment, and IV therapy is not suitable for everyone. Cannulation can cause brief discomfort, and bruising or tenderness at the site; less commonly, vein irritation, light-headedness or an allergic reaction can occur. This is a wellness service, not a substitute for medical care, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Tell your nurse if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medication, or have reacted to an infusion before.
Treatments runners ask about
Discussed and decided at your assessment, not before.
Questions from runners
Will this make me recover faster?
We will not claim that. Muscle repair happens on its own timeline and no infusion changes it. What you get is fluid replacement and a supervised hour off your feet, which is a reasonable thing to want and a different thing to promise.
Can I book before a race instead?
Nothing about an infusion improves performance, so there is no reason to. If you are tested, a pre-race infusion is also exactly the scenario the anti-doping rule is written about. Race week is a bad time to try anything new.
I am a recreational runner. Does the doping rule apply to me?
If you are not registered with a federation and not subject to testing, generally no. But rules differ between sports and change over time, so if you hold any competitive licence, check with Sport Integrity Australia rather than taking our word for it.
Can you come to the finish line?
No. Treatment needs a private, clean indoor space with somewhere to sit or recline — an event precinct is not that. We come to your home, hotel or office instead.
My legs are badly swollen and sore. Should I book?
See a doctor first. Severe muscle pain and swelling after extreme exertion, particularly with dark urine, needs medical assessment rather than a wellness appointment. This is not something to wait out.
The preparation guide covers what happens on the day, and our honest comparison covers when to skip it entirely.
Race weekend coming up?
Book the day-after slot before the weekend fills. Tell us if you compete under testing and we will talk it through first.
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