According to dictionary.com, physical therapy is defined as follows: the treatment or management of physical disability, malfunction, or pain by exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, etc., without the use of medicines, surgery, or radiation. Even the dictionary website defines physical therapy as a rehabilitation of sorts; you have to have an injury first before you can fix it. However, is this really the best model for physical therapy and health care?
Prehabilitation takes a different angle and approach when it comes to the world of injury and its consequences. Traditionally, prehabilitation consists of exercises and lifestyle changes prior to a surgery. However, in the broadest sense of the word, prehabilitation encompasses preventing injury before it starts.
Physical therapists are in a perfect position for prehabilitation; our doctoral education regarding musculoskeletal impairments and movement deficits allow us to identify weakness and stiffness before they snowball into bigger issues and become real injuries. We also know evidence based treatments and the best interventions to use; whether it be hands-on therapy, exercises, or even changes to your ergonomics to best strengthen and mobilize where your body most needs it.
For those who are already on an exercise routine or going to the gym, let me say I applaud you. You’re doing many of the right things already. However, one of the faults of “gym culture” is to only work the primary mover muscles; big muscles like your quads, biceps, and gluteus maximus. Many of the athletes I have seen have these muscles in abundance, but their stability muscles are lacking. I make the analogy with them: You have a great structure and massive building, but your foundation (stability muscles) are weak. No matter how strong your big muscles get, your limited by your foundation. It is the foundation that everything is built upon.
Prehabilitation should be synonymous with prevention. We have all heard the saying that prevention is the best medicine. Prehabilitation is a perfect example of this. Your physical therapist can use their expertise of movement to guide you through prehabilitation, health, and wellness to stop injury before it starts.
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