Have you been encouraged to look into “prehab”?
Pre-surgical rehabilitation, or “prehab,” is increasingly popular in the surgical and physiotherapy communities. Just as “rehab” generally refers to work that patients do to recover after surgery or intense medical treatment, “prehab” is designed to be undertaken prior to that procedure.
What does pre-surgical rehabilitation accomplish?
To put it succinctly, prehab shortens rehab. For patients who have pre-planned joint replacements or other reparative operations, pre-surgical rehabilitation helps reduce the time and challenges of post-surgery rehabilitation.
After surgery, patients must re-learn how to move again. Much of that need comes from the lack of muscle mass and flexibility that their existing condition caused. In addition, the surgery itself often involves some pain and stiffness in the following days and weeks.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation is designed to help you regain some of your lost strength and flexibility before you even have the surgery, as well as build up your ability to heal more quickly after your operation. When done correctly, prehab can dramatically decrease the time and pain associated with post-surgical recovery.
What happens in “prehab”?
Assuming you have enough planning time, your pre-surgical rehabilitation sessions would start about six weeks before your operation, depending on what your doctor advises. We’ll also help you evaluate your goals and your concerns. (Many patients worry about climbing stairs after surgery, for example, or even that first walk to the hospital bathroom.)
During your sessions, you’ll be working on building your overall strength and endurance, so your body bounces back from the surgical trauma. In addition, your physiotherapist will help structure a plan that meets the challenges of your particular surgery, such as building upper body strength if you’re going to be getting around on crutches.
What can I expect from pre-surgical rehabilitation?
Studies show that patients who participate in pre-surgical rehabilitation experience these specific benefits:
- Increased stamina and confidence. Not only will you have more aerobic endurance and muscle strength to take on postoperative routines, but you’ll have the confidence in having already built up the strategies for doing so.
- Increased mobility. Prehab gives you the physical flexibility you’ll need to work through post-surgical stiffness. Our physiotherapists also coach you on techniques for maintaining your balance, and compensating for limbs you can’t fully use while you are recovering.
With pre-surgical rehabilitation, our highly trained team of physiotherapists will put together the right program to ensure that your post-surgical rehabilitation is as brief and painless as possible. Contact us at Whitehorse, Yukon center for a consultation, or make an appointment online.
Custom Foot Orthotics
Includes a gait assessment, plaster casting of the feet and a biomechanical analysis.
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Our Occupational Therapist can provide OT assessments and services. Please phone us at 867 668-4886 for more details and to book assessments.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy is a specialized form of physiotherapy that focuses on the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles. Therapy often involves exercises, manual techniques, and education to improve pelvic floor function and alleviate symptoms related to dysfunction.
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Vestibular rehabilitation therapy involves exercises that help you manage dizziness and balance issues (imbalance). This therapy may help people cope with the symptoms of conditions such as vertigo and labyrinthitis.
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Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care. This can be for a workplace injury, sports injury or just helping someone overcome aches and pains that are holding them back.
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This is the service that encompasses office ergonomic assessments and industrial ergonomics including job demands analysis. Please call (867) 668-4886 to book.
Custom Bracing
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Office Staff
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WCB
We can treat work related injuries from all jurisdictions in Canada.
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Concussion
Concussion rehabilitation addresses a variety of symptoms and functional deficits, ultimately guiding individuals towards a safe return to their pre-injury level of activity. Physiotherapists employ a variety of techniques, including manual therapy,
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Active Rehabilitation
1 on 1 session in the gym overseen by a physiotherapist but directly with a kinesiologist.
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Massage Therapy
Our massage therapist is working toward his RMT certification. Until he is certified, you can enjoy his services at half of the industry rate for one hour of massage therapy. NO INSURANCE CLAIMS CAN BE MADE.
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Canada Games Centre
200 Hamilton Blvd, 300Whitehorse, YT
Y1A 0A6
frontdesk@physiopluswhitehorse.com
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