You’ve probably come across the terms “prehabilitation (prehab)” and “rehabilitation (rehab)” in the context of physical therapy. But have you ever wondered what they mean?
Well, prehab and rehab are two different approaches to physical therapy. It’s important that you understand their differences so you know when to seek either prehab or rehab therapies.
At JAG Physical Therapy, we provide both prehab and rehab services. We serve clients on a case-by-case basis, allowing our team of professional physical therapists to design highly effective personalized treatment plans.
What is Prehab?
Think of prehab as preventative or proactive physical therapy. It refers to physical therapies designed to prepare you mentally and physically for an upcoming physical activity (sports, workout routine, endurance challenge, etc.) or surgery. Prehab boosts your overall fitness, resilience, and strength in order to reduce the risk of injury, enhance athletic performance, or improve surgical outcomes.
Studies show that prehab addresses critical health concerns, such as physical inactivity, poor fitness, off-balance diet, and bad lifestyle habits, in patients undergoing surgery. This has shown to improve patients’ tolerability to surgical procedures.
Similarly, a wealth of evidence supports prehab’s role in injury prevention among athletes, hobbyists, and enthusiasts.
What is Rehab?
If prehab is “proactive,” rehab or rehabilitation is “reactive.” Rehabilitation helps individuals recover from injury, certain health conditions, and invasive medical interventions such as surgery.
Rehabilitation involves a wide range of treatments tailored to the individual’s needs, condition, and recovery goals.
The main goals of rehab include:
- Restoring physical and cognitive function
- Regaining strength, mobility, balance, posture, and flexibility
- Improving the patient’s quality of life through independence
- Managing pain
- Building mental and emotional wellness
- Preventing further injuries or illness
- Facilitating return to work/sport after injury or medical treatment
A growing body of evidence supports rehabilitative therapy as a recovery catalyst following surgery, injury, or ailment. In one study, for example, researchers found that rehabilitative physical therapy improved pain and function in patients with chronic back pain.
How Do Prehab and Rehab Differ?
Both prehab and rehab interventions involve a wide range of physiotherapy methods. Depending on the individual’s needs, prehab and rehab therapies may include:
- Physical exercises
- Muscle conditioning
- Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive exercises
- Psychological support
- Nutrition training
- Wellness exercises
But that’s where the similarities between the two end. Prehab and rehab differ widely in terms of goals, timing, and physiotherapy approaches.
Goals
Prehab is preventative; it aims to prevent injuries during physical activities and complications during surgery. Rehab, on the other hand, helps individuals recover from injuries, illnesses, and medical treatments. In short, prehab is proactive, while rehab is restorative.
Timing
Prehab happens prior to surgery or an injury, while rehab happens after. As a proactive intervention, prehab prepares you for a physical or medical challenge. Meanwhile, rehab puts you back on your feet after an impairing physical ordeal.
Treatment Approaches
Prehab treatments generally revolve around injury prevention, sports training, and overall physical fitness. Rehab takes a different approach. Rehabilitative therapies lean more toward pain management and restoring function, strength, and movement in the affected areas.
When Should You Consider Prehab or Rehab?
Let’s start with prehabilitation. You should sign up for a prehab program before:
- Going for a major surgery
- Returning to sports after a long absence
- Performing an enduring physical activity such as hiking, racing, or a sports match
- Undergoing a medical treatment that will limit your mobility for a long time
- Switching to a new sport, workout routine, or physically demanding job
What about rehab? Consider rehabilitative therapy after:
- Suffering a physical injury
- Undergoing major surgery
- Being diagnosed with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, scoliosis, and osteoporosis
- Experiencing persistent pain in a joint, muscle, or ligament
- Realizing you have trouble performing everyday physical activities
Schedule an Appointment with JAG Physical Therapy
Looking for prehab or rehab therapy programs? Schedule an appointment with JAG Physical Therapy today. At JAG PT, we specialize in personalized care, ensuring you get the right treatment for the desired results. We guarantee effective, safe, and flexible professional PT services.
Reach us at (201)-801-7141 or explore our website for more information.