Prehab: Preparing Your Body for Surgery with Osteopathy
Osteopathy treatment before surgery — 'prehab' — improves strength, mobility and recovery outcomes. Here's how our Mitcham osteopaths prepare you.
Understanding Prehab for Better Outcomes
Prehab is short for prehabilitation, representing the structured preparation of your body before a planned surgery. Clinical research indicates that patients who enter the operating theatre with better strength and mobility often enjoy a smoother recovery. Osteopathy treatment is well suited to prehab because it addresses movement quality and tissue health. By focusing on osteopathic principles, we aim to optimise your physical state so that your body can handle the stress of surgery and the subsequent healing process.
The Focus of Prehab Treatments
Your osteopath Mitcham will assess how your body compensates for an injury. Surgery often leads to temporary muscle wastage and stiffness, so prehab aims to build a physical reserve. Treatment involves hands on techniques to reduce muscle guarding and improve circulation around the affected area. This osteopathy before surgery approach helps to calm the nervous system. We work to ensure the joints above and below the surgical site are functioning well to support your overall movement during recovery.
Developing Your Pre Surgical Rehab Plan
A typical pre surgical rehab plan combines manual therapy with specific exercises tailored to your upcoming procedure. For a hip replacement, this might involve strengthening the abductors. For spinal surgery, we focus on deep core stability. Your osteopath will also provide education on how to move safely immediately after your operation. This preparation helps you feel more confident when you begin your post operative exercises. Understanding the milestones of recovery is a vital part of the osteopathy treatment process.
The Long Term Benefits of Prehab
Investing in osteopathy before surgery pays dividends during the rehabilitation phase. Patients who participate in prehab often report less post operative stiffness and an easier return to walking. By improving your range of motion and strength early, you reduce the amount of deconditioning that occurs while you rest. It is a proactive way to take control of your health. Many people find that their recovery feels less daunting when they have already established a relationship with their osteopath Mitcham.
Start Your Preparation in Mitcham
Ideally, you should begin your prehab journey six to twelve weeks before your scheduled surgery. However, even a few sessions in the final weeks can make a difference. At home, focus on staying active within your comfort limits and following your prescribed movements. If you have an operation coming up, contact Osteopath Mitcham at Lifestyle Essentials. We will create a plan that aligns with your surgeon's requirements. Our clinic is located at 503 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, for all your osteopathic needs. Osteopath Mitcham — hands-on osteopathy at Lifestyle Essentials, 503 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham.
Book an osteopathic assessment
Our Mitcham osteopaths can talk you through your own presentation and build a plan tailored to you.