What Is Prehab Before Surgery? Physiotherapy Experts Explain
Prehab Before Surgery: How Physiotherapy in Vaughan Can Speed Your Recovery
Let me tell you about my patient Anna. She came into our Vaughan clinic last month, white-knuckling her purse, her knee replacement scheduled for exactly 28 days away. “The surgeon said I should see you first,” she said, looking skeptical. “But I’ve been resting like crazy – isn’t that what I’m supposed to do before surgery?” I get it. When you’re facing surgery, the instinct is to baby that sore hip or shoulder. But here’s the truth we’ve learned from helping hundreds of Vaughan residents prepare for their procedures: what you do in the weeks before surgery matters just as much as what happens after. Physiotherapy in Vaughan can be a game-changer for your recovery.
At PhysioChiroWellness, we’ve helped countless Vaughan residents prepare for surgery through prehabilitation—a targeted exercise and education program designed to optimize your body for the operating room and beyond. Think of it as “training camp” for your upcoming procedure.
Who Benefits Most from Physiotherapy in Vaughan Before Surgery?
While prehab helps almost everyone, we especially recommend it for:
Joint Replacement Patients
(Hip, knee, shoulder)
- Builds quad/hamstring strength for easier rehab
- Teaches safe transfer techniques
Spinal Surgery Candidates
- Improves core stability
- Reduces reliance on pain meds
Athletes Facing Sports-Related Procedures
- Maintains cardiovascular fitness
- Preserves range of motion
Even patients scheduled for abdominal or cardiac procedures benefit from breathing exercises and gentle conditioning.
The “Aha” Moment Most Patients Have
About two weeks into Anna’s prehab program, something clicked. She realized:
- She could already get in and out of chairs without using her hands (a skill she’d need post-op)
- Her quad muscles were actually stronger than before her knee started hurting
- She knew exactly what to expect in recovery
When I saw her three weeks after surgery, she walked into the clinic without her cane. “That prehab stuff?” she said. “Worth every minute.”
What Prehab Really Feels Like (No Gym Rat Required)
Prehab isn’t about pumping iron until you sweat. It’s practical preparation for real life after surgery. Here’s what we actually do:
Session 1: The “Oh, That Makes Sense” Stuff
At PhysioChiroWellness, we’ll show you:
- How to roll out of bed without using your surgical side (game changer at 2am)
- The right way to sit down so you don’t stress your incision
- What clothes/shoes will be easiest to put on
Session 2: Strength That Matters
Not bodybuilder stuff – we focus on:
- The muscles that will help you walk after joint replacement
- Your “good” side (it’s about to do double duty)
- Core strength for getting up from chairs/toilets
Session 3: Practice Run
We’ll have you try:
- Walking with crutches or a walker (way harder than it looks)
- Getting in/out of your car (every Vaughan patient’s nemesis)
- Basic post-op exercises (so they feel familiar later)
The Three Things Patients Always Wish They Knew Sooner
- Ice Packs Aren’t Just for After
Using them pre-surgery can actually reduce initial swelling - Your Breathing Matters
We teach techniques that help with pain management - The Toilet Situation
Trust me, you’ll want to practice getting up from low surfaces before you’re sore
Who We’ve Helped in Vaughan Recently
- Tony, the construction worker who needed rotator cuff surgery but couldn’t afford months off
- The Patel family, preparing their home for mom’s hip replacement
- Young soccer players from the Vaughan Vikings getting ACL repairs
Different surgeries, same principle: better preparation = easier recovery.
“But My Surgery Is Next Week!”
Even if you’re down to the wire, we can still:
- Teach you the most critical movements
- Show you pain management tricks
- Help arrange your home for safety
Why Physiotherapy in Vaughan Works Better Than Googling Exercises
- We Know Vaughan Surgeons’ Preferences
Different surgeons have different protocols – we coordinate with yours - Your Program Matches Your Actual Life
Whether you live in a condo or have stairs at home - We See What You Can’t
Like that little compensation movement that could cause problems later
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Surgery is scary enough without going in unprepared. The patients who do prehab walk in feeling like they’ve got a secret advantage – because they do.
Call us at (905) 597-2071, book online or walk into our Vaughan clinic today. Let’s make sure your body is as ready as your mind is for this next step.