What is Prehab & Why is it Important?
Blogs, / By Shi Qi Yap
Imagine you’re scheduled for a surgery or medical procedure and you’re worried about the pain, the recovery process, and the potential complications that may arise. Now, imagine that you could take proactive steps to reduce the risk of complications, speed up the recovery process, and improve your overall quality of life. That’s where prehabilitation comes in.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what prehabilitation is, why it’s important, and how it can benefit patients and healthcare systems.
What is Prehab?
Prehab, also known as prehabilitation, is a form of proactive healthcare that aims to improve physical and mental resilience before undergoing a surgery or medical procedure. The goal of prehabilitation is to optimize the patient’s physical and psychological condition to increase the chances of a successful outcome.
Prehabilitation involves a range of activities, including:
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Exercise:
Exercise is a key component of prehabilitation. It can help improve cardiovascular health, increase strength and flexibility, and reduce the risk of complications during and after surgery.
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Nutrition:
Proper nutrition is essential for a healthy body. Prehabilitation may involve dietary changes to improve the patient’s overall health and increase their ability to recover from surgery.
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Smoking Cessation
Smoking is a major risk factor for complications during and after surgery. Prehabilitation may involve smoking cessation programs to help patients quit smoking before undergoing surgery.
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Psychological Support:
Prehabilitation may involve counseling or other psychological support to help patients cope with the stress and anxiety associated with surgery.
Why is Prehabilitation Important?
Prehabilitation has several benefits, including:
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Reduced Complications:
Prehabilitation can reduce the risk of complications during and after surgery. By optimizing the patient’s physical and psychological condition before surgery, the chances of a successful outcome increase.
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Faster Recovery:
Prehabilitation can help patients recover more quickly after surgery. By improving physical and mental resilience, patients are better equipped to handle the stress of surgery and the recovery process.
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Improved Quality of Life:
Prehabilitation can improve the patient’s overall quality of life. By improving physical health, patients may experience less pain, have more energy, and be able to engage in activities they enjoy more easily.
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Cost Savings:
Prehabilitation can also result in cost savings for patients and healthcare systems. By reducing the risk of complications and the length of hospital stays, prehabilitation can reduce the overall cost of care.
We have posted a short video about Prehab! Watch it and understand more!
If you have any more questions feel free to drop us a question, talk to us, or fill in the form below. Do check out our Instagram page too.
Yap Shi Qi
Rehab Therapist
Shi Qi graduated with Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons), awarded by Anglia Ruskin University, UK. Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP®). She practiced as a physiotherapist in a Malaysian private physiotherapy center with a special interest in musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation. Her previous experience inspired her to combine active approach along with patients’ education to optimize the rehabilitation outcome in sports-related injuries and postural pain.
In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, singing, and playing piano.