You’ve heard of rehab after surgery, but have you heard of prehab? This term refers to therapy provided by a physical therapist before surgery to improve results and speed recovery. Prehab is becoming more and more popular as people learn about its unique and sensible benefits. If you have surgery coming up, learn how prehab can improve your overall experience and help you get back to normal function faster.
What Is Pre-Surgical Physical Therapy or “Prehab”?
Prehab refers to working with a trained physical therapist to strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and optimize function in the areas that will be affected by surgery. While its use was previously limited to surgeries like joint replacement, it is now increasingly used for other types of surgery as well.
The Key Benefits of Prehab for Surgical Patients
If you’re facing surgery, look at all these ways that prehab can help you.
- Faster Recovery Time: Multiple studies show that patients who get prehab recover from surgery more quickly. Carefully selected therapeutic exercises can reduce complications and shorten hospital stays.
- Fewer Post-Surgery Complications: Greater strength and endurance before surgery support a strong immune system and overall resilience. That makes you less prone to post-surgery infections or complications.
- Better Surgical Outcomes: The American Physical Therapy Association notes that patients who are physically stronger and more mobile before surgery tend to have better surgical results.
- Less Pain and More Comfort: Prehabilitation often includes pain management strategies such as stretching, massage, and hot/cold therapy. These techniques can reduce pain before surgery. Of course, more physical therapy after surgery can also continue to help you manage discomfort.
- More Confidence and Reduced Anxiety: Preparing physically for surgery can also help you feel more in control, which can mean less anxiety as your surgery approaches. Knowing your plan for recovery before the surgery even starts could make the whole surgical experience less intimidating.
Prehab Value Is Supported by an Extensive Research Project
In the UK, researchers undertook a project to review the results of prehab that were reported in 186 different trials and research projects from around the world. In all, the outcomes of 18,000 patients were included in this project. The results of this extensive project showed that exercise-based prehab programs led to better physical recovery and quality of life after surgery.
One of the doctors involved in this project stated, “We know that people who are more physically fit tend to recover faster from surgery and suffer fewer complications. While many patients…want to improve their fitness before surgery, patients often aren’t sure where or how to start.” That’s where prehab with a physical therapist is extremely valuable.
It’s even possible that prehab could eliminate the need for surgery. That’s not its goal but some patients experience such significant improvement from prehab that surgery becomes unnecessary.
Consult a Physical Therapist Before Your Surgery!
If you have an upcoming surgery, check out pre-surgical physical therapy. Even a few weeks of targeted exercise and education could make a significant difference in your recovery and results. Consult Rebound Physical Therapy today to learn more about prehab and invest in the best possible outcome and a faster return to the activities you love.
