If you’re facing surgery, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do beforehand to make recovery easier. The answer? Yes! That’s where prehab (short for prehabilitation) comes in.
Prehab is a targeted rehab program designed to strengthen your body before surgery to improve your recovery afterward. It’s becoming more common, and for a good reason—it can make a huge difference in how fast and smoothly you bounce back post-op.
Let’s break down why prehab is worth considering.

1. Speeds Up Recovery After Surgery
One of the biggest benefits of prehab is that it helps you recover faster after surgery. When your muscles, joints, and overall mobility are in better shape beforehand, your body is better prepared to handle the stress of surgery and start healing.
Think of it like training for a marathon—you wouldn’t just show up and run 42 km without preparation, right? The same goes for surgery.

2. Reduces Pain and Complications
Studies show that people who do prehab often experience less pain post-surgery. Strengthening your muscles and improving mobility before the operation can take some of the strain off your joints, making movement easier and less painful afterward.
Plus, prehab can lower the risk of complications like blood clots or stiffness by keeping your body active and circulation flowing.

3. Improves Strength & Mobility Before Surgery
Depending on your injury or condition, you might already feel weaker or have limited movement. Prehab helps you maintain as much strength and mobility as possible, so you’re not starting from zero after surgery.
This can be especially helpful for knee, hip, and shoulder surgeries where mobility is key to recovery.

4. Helps You Mentally Prepare
Surgery can be nerve-wracking, and not knowing what to expect afterward can make it even more stressful. Prehab gives you a head start by familiarizing you with some of the exercises and movements you’ll be doing in post-op rehab.
By working with a physical therapist before surgery, you’ll also have a clear plan and support system in place, which can ease anxiety and boost confidence.

5. Might Even Help You Avoid Surgery
In some cases, prehab is so effective that it can help people delay or even avoid surgery altogether—especially for conditions like knee osteoarthritis or certain rotator cuff injuries. Strengthening the surrounding muscles and improving joint function can sometimes reduce pain enough to make surgery unnecessary (or at least postpone it).

Is Prehab Right for You?
Not everyone needs prehab, but if you’re dealing with joint pain, limited mobility, or preparing for a major surgery, it’s worth considering. Your doctor, a kinesiologist or a sports therapist can help determine the best approach based on your condition and goals.

At Clinique RESET, we create customized prehab programs to help you get stronger before surgery—so your recovery afterward is as smooth and pain-free as possible.

Want to learn more? Reach out to our team and let’s get you moving in the right direction!