What Is Prehab?
Prehab is an emerging trend in the medical field in which a patient can prepare their body prior to surgery or for athletes who want to avoid pain, injury, or missing time on the field. Prehab exercises can easily be added to a fitness routine and will effectively build strength and stability while improving mobility and balance. Research has also shown that patients will be better off after surgery if they do prehab before being operated on. Prehab focuses on strengthening and developing the muscles and joints that will help prevent injury.
Michael Schletter, a writer for Daily Burn (www.dailyburn.com), wrote an article titled The Prehab Warmup: Your New Secret Weapon. He points out that prehab-based warm-ups have become very popular in the past couple of years as it can “improve strength, mobility, and flexibility” while preventing injuries before they occur. Schletter recommends a “Three ‘S’ principle” that improves incorporates soft-tissue, stretching, and strengthening prehab exercises to get the body ready for whatever comes at it. The soft-tissue exercises release tight areas into the body while dynamic stretches will help to ensure good mobility.
Prehab is not just for athletes, however, as it can help patients prior to surgery. There have been numerous studies showing that patients who prepare for surgery by doing prehab exercises in the weeks prior will regain function faster than somebody who did not. Patients have reported seeing results much faster, and research has shown that patients who perform prehab exercises before surgery find an increase in strength and mobility after surgery. Prehab exercises are simple and most do not require machines, making it easy for someone about to go into surgery to perform them even if they are injured.
Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy at (516) 798-3789 today!
