Preparing for surgery can be stressful. It is hard not to be filled with anxiety due to the unknowns of recovery time, medications, and potential complications that all accompany the surgical process. While physical therapy is used as a way to help people recover after surgery, it can be equally crucial in setting you up for success as you prep for surgery.
What is Prehabilitation?
Harvard Health describes prehabilitation or “prehab” as a therapy that focuses on strengthening the body to prepare it for surgery and maximize recovery. By engaging in this therapy, you can avoid many setbacks associated with recovery and significantly decrease your overall recovery time.
Benefits of Physical Therapy Before Surgery
The benefits of physical therapy are often associated with the care given after surgery, but engaging in prehab can make a big difference in your overall care.
Due to the intensity of many operations, preparing and strengthening your before surgery is crucial. In addition to addressing physical improvements, engaging in prehabilitation also allows you to address any behavioral factors (like diet, smoking, etc.) that would otherwise put you at greater risk. According to Dr. James Durrand of James Cook University, modifying and improving lifestyle and behavior before surgery enhances the body’s physiological capacity for surgery and buffers its natural stress response.
These are some of the main benefits associated with prehabilitation:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Shorter recovery
- Higher level of function in the area affected by surgery
- Decreased likelihood of complications
- Depending on the medical condition, the potential of not needing surgery after prehabilitation
What Does Prehabilitation Look Like?
Prehabilitation is a catered form of care that allows patients to prepare in ways that will best benefit them. Because of this, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy in this form of care, and this patient-centric focus allows for flexibility and customization.
These are the main areas that prehabilitation focuses on:
1. Physical Fitness
Strength training and targeted exercises often play a critical role in prehabilitation because of the physiological impact of surgery. The focus of this aspect of prehabilitation is to increase strength, flexibility, and endurance in the parts of the body that will be affected by surgery. Surgical operations can be intense, and strengthening the body this way helps it to heal and deal with the trauma of surgery more efficiently.
2. Lifestyle Modification
This area of prehabilitation is broader because it is centered on minimizing risk factors for patients due to their lifestyle and habits. As a result, it can include a variety of aspects. For example, individuals who smoke may be coached through cessation. At the same time, someone with dietary issues may be given guidance on how to improve nutrition and use supplements to address certain deficiencies.
3. Education
The greatest anxieties associated with surgery come from not knowing what to expect throughout the process. Through prehabilitation, patients can ask questions and receive guidance on how to take care of themselves in a way that decreases the unfamiliarity patients have with their own bodies and the healthcare they will be receiving.
Prehabilitation often involves a mixture of these techniques to provide a conclusive approach to surgery preparation. Whatever your unique needs are, prehabilitation seeks to educate and aid you in your surgery prep. The more prepared you are mentally, physically, and habitually going into surgery, the less you are likely to experience complications and setbacks on your road to recovery.
Is Prehabilitation A Good Fit for You?
Anyone waiting for surgery will benefit from strengthening and preparing their body. Because everyone has different limitations and capacities, the best way to determine if prehabilitation is a good fit for you as you prepare for surgery is to consult your physician. They can give you insights into your health and recommendations for proper care to ensure treatment for your situation and needs.
Conclusion
While physical therapy is an invaluable resource for postoperative recovery, prehabilitation offers a proactive strategy to enhance your health and optimize surgical preparation. By addressing physical fitness, nutrition, and education, prehabilitation can significantly reduce anxiety and the risk of complications. This empowered approach allows you to take charge of your surgical journey, ensuring that you are both mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead. To fully harness these benefits, it’s essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to tailor prehabilitation strategies to your individual needs and circumstances.
Ready for a healthier lifestyle? Contact the Center for Physical Rehabilitation at Galloway Ridge Today!
If you have questions or would like to learn more about prehabilitation, our experts at the Center for Physical Rehabilitation at Galloway Ridge are here for you. Give us a call at (919) 545-2633!
