Everything You Need to Know About Pre-Hab
It's no secret that undergoing physical therapy after an injury or surgery will help you heal faster. But what if there was a way to avoid injury and prevent surgical intervention in the first place?
Pre-hab or preventive rehabilitation allows patients to heal better following surgery, speed up the healing process and, in many cases, avoid injury in the first place. Contact our office today to meet with a physical therapist. He or she will decide if pre-hab is right for you.
Pre-hab, explained
The term pre-hab is short for preventative rehabilitation. A physical therapist typically uses pre-hab in two ways.
First, they can teach targeted exercises and stretches to patients who are at risk for serious injuries. Second, pre-hab is a form of physical therapy used prior to surgery to speed healing and recovery.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation resides under the category of preventative care known as "pre-hab." The purpose of pre-hab is to get the body as ready as possible for a challenging situation. If you choose to participate in this practice, you won’t be alone. A study done by the APTA shows that out of the 5,852 of patients who received rehab, 52% of them did rehab before their surgery.
During this process, the patient will work directly with the physical therapist to improve the strength, durability, movement, and overall functionality in the areas and areas around where the surgery will take place.
The process of pre-hab can vary based on which practice you go to, but for the most part, the goals remain the same. These include:
Improving the overall health of your body to reduce the risk of complications during surgery
Teaching you about the surgery and the path to recovery
Preparing you mentally for the surgery
Pre-hab for injury prevention
Pre-hab is one of the best ways to avoid injuries in patients at risk of developing serious movement disorders. Many people with physically challenging jobs can find that exercises, stretching, and pain-relieving techniques learned in physical therapy can help them succeed in their work.
This is particularly true in occupations where there are high incidences of particular injuries. This form of physical therapy usually addresses places where injury is most likely to happen. For example, military members are more likely to develop foot, knee, hip, and back problems due to the rigors of training and fighting.
Pre-hab will alleviate many of these injuries by teaching correct lifting techniques, proper posture, and successful core strengthening exercises that keep service members strong and healthy. The same can be said for construction workers, firefighters, factory workers, or other extremely physical workers.
Additionally, both pro and amateur athletes find that working with a physical therapist pays off well, far before an injury occurs. Focusing on areas that are stressed by day-to-day activity and poor habits, a physical therapist looks at the most injury-prone areas and helps you fix any issues before you get injured.
Even if you look at a screen most of the day, pre-hab can help! Working with a physical therapist will help to reinforce your core strength and correct your posture, keeping you balanced, healthy, and strong.
Physical therapy is also one of the best ways to start an exercise routine.Based on strength, agility, and balance, pre-hab will help you prevent injuries while you begin the process of getting in shape.
Pre-hab for surgical recovery
When it comes to going under the knife, a lot of people are afraid of what happens after the stitches have been sewn. This is particularly true of someone who has had a total joint replacement. Faced with the prospect of time in a rehabilitation facility, many people choose to delay joint replacement surgery for fear of a lengthy, painful recovery.
Physical therapy prior to surgery can reduce the chances of needing inpatient rehab by 73%. Patients who are healthier before surgery often reach physical thresholds faster than patients who are not. Within 24 hours of surgery, anyone with a complete replacement of the knee is expected to walk 500 to 1000 feet with the help of a walker.
Those who consult with a physical therapist before surgery are more likely to fulfill this criteria. These patients are typically stronger and have better blood circulation. Physical therapy will also teach you many of the movements, stretches, pain-relieving techniques, and strengthening exercises they will need in their rehabilitation.
Ready to begin treatments?
Physical therapy is the best place to start if you are considering surgery or if you need to fine-tune your daily life. Contact Synergy Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine today to schedule a consultation and find out how our pre-hab services can benefit you!
