Prehab

Benefits of Prehab

Prehab is receiving physical therapy prior to a surgery or before a future physical challenge or sport. The goal is injury prevention and or to prepare your body before a surgery. The physical therapist assesses targeted vulnerable areas and works to improve the deficits found during the evaluation with specific exercises.
Here are some benefits of receiving prehab:

  1. Injury prevention- Improving strength and stability of weak muscles and joints can prevent common injuries during daily activities and sport.
  2. Faster recovery- if you have an injury or surgery, the body will be in better condition to handle healing.
  3. Improved strength, flexibility, and mobility- Improves your overall strength and flexibility, making your body stronger and more mobile with your daily activities.

The Importance of Prehab

Prehab, short for pre-habilitation, is a type of intervention intended to prevent injury or to prepare one for surgery in order to optimize post-surgical outcomes. In the world of physical therapy and athletics, this can include incorporating strength and stability exercises into athletes’ training programs to prevent injuries when they are on the field.

Prehab can also be helpful for those requiring any type of orthopedic surgery such as a joint replacement or ligament reconstruction. By building up strength and general fitness prior to surgery, the risk of complications post-operatively decreases and the functional recovery tends to be quicker. During prehab, patients are educated on what to expect after surgery which can help them feel more prepared for any adjustments they may have to make including any activity modifications.

Prehab is covered by all health insurances.  This is due to health insurances also seeing the benefits of prehab as it cuts down on sport injuries and duration of physical therapy required after a surgery.  If you are interested in learning more about how you could benefit from prehab, feel free to email Harbor Physical Therapy at to learn more.

Written by,
Dr. David Reymann