Prehabilitation (otherwise known as Prehab)

Prehab, or prehabilitation is essentially beginning the rehabilitation process before the surgery OR injury occurs. In surgical circles it usually means getting into the best cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular conditioning before a major surgery, in order to optimise surgical outcomes. In the more every-day setting, it means getting into the best shape you can, with no biomechanical imbalances, in order to prevent injury from occurring. It can be likened to preparing for a marathon. You want to be in the best shape possible before you start, both physically and mentally.

Prehab for Surgery

It has been shown that increasing cardio, respiratory and muscular fitness prior to having surgery means better outcomes and less chance of complications from the surgery. In addition, prehabilitation has the additional benefit of reducing the rehab time after surgery, as your body is more capable of handling the stress of surgery. It can, of course, be tricky, as usually you’re nursing an injury of some kind before having surgery. Prehabilitation prior to surgery is often overlooked, which is such as shame as it is easier than waiting until after the event. It is more commonly recommended for joint surgery, such as hips and knees. However it is beneficial for other types of procedures, including prior to abdominal surgery. Further research is being undertaken to understand if it is beneficial as a part of cancer treatment. We’re here to help you figure out how you can improve your outcomes, as well as guiding you with nutrition and behaviour advice.

Prehabilitation to prevent injury

In non-surgery circumstances, prehab is all about minimising the risk of injury. This means targeting asymmetries in both range of motion and strength across your body. A targeted exercise plan, focusing on your individual weak areas is the best method to go about this. There is equally good evidence for home exercise as there is for supervised exercise. This is as long as the program is tailored for the individual, and there is regular supportive contact. In other words, we are here to guide you and support you when you need it!

A mental game

A big part of prehab is preparing mentally for what is ahead. In surgery, it is empowering to have a recovery plan. You know you’re going to be sore afterwards. However you have a strategy in place to manage this and get you back to full functionality. Preparing mentally to have a positive attitude and to be self-motivated improves outcomes following surgery. This also helps with functional goals.

The best time to start is right now

Your prehab plan will be based on your goals. What functional goals do you have? Perhaps you’d like to be able to get on the floor to play with the kids, or maybe you’d like to be able to carry everything in from the car in one trip! Maybe you’re planning on participating in your first triathlon. Prehab is the best way to prepare for all of these scenarios, while preventing future injuries.

Rehabilitation

This is a specifically designed program to help you recover from a specific injury or surgical procedure. There are different stages people tend to work thru in the process of a rehab program.

Improve Motion

The aim is to get you moving, usually as quickly and as comfortably as possible to get your range of motion back.

Improve Balance

Many injuries can be prevented and to avoid unnecessary risk of returning of injury, balance exercises are often included.

Improve Strength

Getting your strength back is an important part of the process. Initially this may be focusing on a specific muscle or group, however should progress onto complex and functional movement patterns.

Co-ordinating all of the above

The goal is to get you more mobile and stronger than your pre-injury or surgical state. This will help prevent issues from occurring in the future, let’s face it, that is what we all want.

The Recap!

Prehabilitiation (or prehab) is either a preventative program or pre-surgical program. Whereas rehabilitation (or rehab) is for when something has gone wrong. If you need any help with your prehab or rehab program, our Osteopaths are here to assist you.