Pre-Surgical Physical Therapy
Have a Smooth Surgery with Pre-Surgical PT
It is normal to worry about a surgery you may have coming up – whether it’s about how the surgery will go or what your recovery period will look like. It is likely that you will be referred to a physical therapist following your surgery, in order to manage your pain and regain your physical function.
However, did you also know that you can participate in physical therapy treatments before your surgery? Pre-surgical rehabilitation, or “pre-hab,” is a way to prepare your body for your upcoming surgery and make your recovery period easier. For more information on how pre-hab treatments can benefit you, contact Blue Ridge Physical Therapy in Johnson City, TN today!
Pre-hab at Blue Ridge Physical Therapy
At Blue Ridge Physical Therapy, we want to make sure you are fully benefiting from our pre-hab plans. At your initial appointment, one of our Johnson City, TN physical therapists will discuss the best treatment options for the nature of your surgery.
They will help make sure you are as strong, flexible, and healthy as possible, so you will be able to regain normal function much quicker after your procedure is complete.
How will I benefit from pre-hab?
There are a multitude of benefits that pre-surgical rehabilitation provides. The top 6 include:
1. Increased stamina
It is no secret that any surgical procedure will result in a loss of strength as your body is recovering. However, pre-hab can help in reducing how much strength is lost by increasing your stamina before the operation. In turn, this will make the recovery process much smoother since there will be less strength lost.
2. Reduced pain
Pre-hab can greatly reduce your pain following surgery. This can be done through a variety of methods, including ice and heat therapy, exercise, or massage.
3. Reduced complications
Pre-hab incorporates targeted exercises to help increase your strength and endurance. As a result, this can improve your immunity, meaning that the chance of infection after surgery is much lower.
4. Shortened recovery
Pre-hab allows for a much smoother surgical process. Having strong and toned muscles before surgery helps you get back to your regular routine much easier and quicker than you would without.
5. Improved outcomes
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) states that pre-hab can improve the overall outcome of surgery and it can even help in saving money if everything goes smoothly. If your muscles are strengthened prior to surgery, it is more likely that the surgery will be successful and the recovery time will be shorter.
6. The possibility of avoiding surgery.
Sometimes, pre-hab treatments can even eliminate the need for surgery altogether. While this is not always the case, some patients have actually found that their pre-hab treatments were sufficient enough in reducing their pain that they canceled their upcoming surgery.
If your pre-hab treatments are successful in decreasing your pain and improving your function, you may save yourself from an invasive procedure. If your condition begins to improve considerably after starting your treatments, you’ll want to consult with your physician regarding future treatment options and the possibility of avoiding an unnecessary surgical procedure.
Why else should I consider pre-hab?
According to the National Institutes of Health, participating in exercise therapies prior to surgery can exceptionally improve your post-operative outcomes and reduce your recovery time.
Because surgery takes such a toll on the human body, it is typically only performed when there are no other options available. When you participate in a pre-surgical rehabilitation plan, you will focus on improving your strength before surgery so your body can heal easier and faster.
Our Johnson City, TN physical therapists are trained in helping improve range of motion and patterns of movement with targeted stretches and exercises that can be done both before and after surgery.
Participating in pre-surgical rehab sets you up for a successful surgery by improving your physical health and promoting overall wellness before your procedure.
So, what exactly is pre-hab?
By participating in pre-surgical rehabilitation, you can greatly improve the outcome of your surgery. Studies have concluded that those who participate in physical therapy treatments a month or so before surgery have significantly lower recovery periods. This is because pre-hab prepares your body to make the surgery go smoother.
There are also some mental benefits to pre-hab – while surgery can be scary, pre-surgical rehabilitation can provide you with the peace of mind you need to go into your surgery with confidence, fully knowing that you did everything you could to prepare yourself.
Our physical therapist will provide you with helpful tips to be as physically and mentally prepared as possible for your procedure.
Get started on your pre-hab treatments today
If you have a surgery coming up in the near future, don’t hesitate to contact Blue Ridge Physical Therapy today to get started on a pre-hab plan! In order to gain the most benefits from pre-hab, it is best to get started as soon as possible.
