Physical therapy isn’t only helpful after surgery!
Do you have surgery scheduled soon? Surgery can be extremely stressful and traumatic for your body to go through. Therefore, it’s normally only done when there are absolutely no other options available.
If you’re having surgery soon, you’ve probably already talked to your doctor about scheduling a post-operative physical therapy visit.
Seeing a physical therapist during recuperation is fairly frequent (and highly encouraged!). It can be tough to get back up and move without the assistance of a physical therapist.
It’s also a good idea to visit a physical therapist before your operation! This is referred to as “pre-habilitation” or “pre-hab.”
Pre-hab is the process of working with your physical therapist to prepare your body for your operation. This kind of rehabilitation has been proven to cut down on recovery time and improve your surgery’s overall quality and outcome. It is incredibly valuable and certainly something everyone should take advantage of!
Call Empower Physical Therapy in AK today to talk to a physical therapist about pre-hab and how it can benefit you before your operation!
The difference between rehab and pre-hab
What is rehabilitation?
When you undergo surgery, you should anticipate to feel pretty uncomfortable afterward. This pain may cause you to avoid certain movements. You may need to limit how much you move for a period to ensure adequate recovery. However, not moving frequently can lead to major difficulties in the long run. Inflammation and adhesions will occur in your body. To avoid these unfavorable consequences, you must move to some extent!
There should be no attempt to avoid rehabilitation following surgery. Physical therapy can assist you in moving safely in order to prevent adhesions and irritation. Physical therapy also enhances your strength, allowing you to get back to your regular routine faster!
What is pre-hab?
Anyone who has undergone surgery before can relate to the fact that surgery preparation can leave you feeling quite anxious, but pre-hab programs might be able to put your worries to rest.
Pre-hab therapy aims to prepare your body for surgery by strengthening it. It also reduces pain and inflammation, making it easier for the surgeon to complete your procedure.
With the guidance of a professional physical therapist, pre-hab can help you get a head start on your rehabilitation. It may also improve the outcome of your procedure!
Consider pre-hab as a way to “load up” on your health for the future. Even a few sessions with your therapist can help you succeed following your operation, so you’ll have more strength to depend on when you’re out of the game for a while after all is said and done.
Is pre-hab successful?
The answer is: absolutely! According to the Arthritis Foundation, a study conducted by three universities in Boston — including Harvard — demonstrated that patients who engaged in pre-hab had much better outcomes following surgery.
You can also be released from the hospital post-surgery much faster if you have a few pre-hab sessions. A great example of this is shown with patients who have had knee replacement surgeries!
Patients who went through a physical therapy pre-hab program beforehand were able to meet the necessary discharge requirements faster than patients who opted out of pre-hab. So there’s another bonus for you!
Usually, knee replacement patients can be discharged once they have walked a certain distance and climbed multiple sets of stairs. Patients who have worked with a physical therapist before surgery can meet these requirements much faster. Their bodies are simply stronger because of the physical therapy!
An added bonus
If your pre-hab treatments are effective in reducing your pain and improving your overall health, you may not require surgery after all!
This isn’t a typical occurrence, so don’t get your hopes up, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility! Some patients find that their pre-hab treatments were so effective in lowering their pain that they were able to postpone their surgery entirely.
Request your appointment today
A pre-surgical rehabilitation program can help to not only become physically prepared, but also mentally prepared for your imminent procedure. It’s a win-win situation.
You can make an appointment with one of our physical therapists through our office. He or she will then do a thorough examination of your condition, inquire about your medical history, and prescribe an activity program to help you prepare for and recover after surgery.
Request an appointment at our clinic today to learn more about your pre-hab options. We are here to make sure that your surgery and recovery time is as simple and convenient as possible!
