If you’re preparing for surgery — whether it’s a knee replacement, shoulder repair, or spinal procedure — it’s natural to focus on the big day itself. But what many people don’t realise is that the recovery journey starts well before surgery and continues long after the operation.

Physiotherapy plays a vital role in both pre-surgery (prehab) and post-surgery (rehab) stages. Working with a physiotherapist before and after surgery can make your recovery smoother, faster, and more successful.

At our Belconnen Physiotherapy Clinic in Canberra, we help people prepare their bodies for surgery and regain confidence after it — so they can return to the activities they love with less pain and better movement.

What Is Pre-Surgery Rehab (Prehab)?

Pre-surgery rehab, often called prehab, is all about preparing your body and mind for surgery. It involves targeted physiotherapy exercises, education, and planning to strengthen your body and improve mobility before the operation.

When you go into surgery with better strength, flexibility, and body awareness, your body is more resilient — which can lead to:

·Faster recovery after surgery

·Better surgical outcomes

·Reduced post-operative pain

·Lower risk of complications

Think of prehab as “training for recovery.” By putting in the effort before your operation, you’re setting yourself up for success afterward.

How Physiotherapy Before Surgery Helps

1. Improves Strength and Flexibility

Before surgery, your physiotherapist will guide you through tailored exercises to target muscles that support the affected area. For example, before a knee replacement, strengthening your quadriceps and glutes can help stabilise your leg during recovery.

Maintaining flexibility around your joints also helps reduce stiffness and improves blood flow — both key factors for healing.

2. Enhances Circulation and Mobility

Gentle aerobic and mobility exercises improve circulation and lung function, helping your body handle anaesthesia and post-surgery recovery more effectively.

3. Builds Confidence and Reduces Anxiety

Understanding what to expect before surgery helps reduce uncertainty and stress. Your physiotherapist will explain the rehabilitation process, discuss mobility aids (like crutches or braces), and teach you how to move safely after surgery.

4. Identifies Movement Patterns to Correct

Sometimes, habits formed from compensating for pain can affect recovery later. Prehab helps identify and correct these movement patterns, ensuring your body is aligned and functioning optimally before surgery.

What Happens After Surgery – The Role of Post-Surgery Rehab

After surgery, your body needs time and guidance to heal correctly. Post-surgery rehab focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, and function — step by step.

At our Canberra physiotherapy clinic, we develop individualised post-surgery programs that align with your surgeon’s recommendations and your personal recovery goals.

The Benefits of Post-Surgery Physiotherapy

1. Regains Strength and Mobility

Surgery can leave muscles weak or stiff. Physiotherapy helps you regain control through guided exercises that rebuild strength, improve balance, and enhance coordination.

Your physiotherapist will progress your exercises safely — beginning with gentle movement and advancing to functional training as healing continues.

2. Reduces Pain and Swelling

After surgery, pain and swelling are common. Physiotherapists use proven techniques such as gentle massage, manual therapy, compression, and movement-based exercises to improve circulation and manage discomfort naturally.

Learning how to move correctly also helps prevent strain and promotes healing.

3. Prevents Complications

Post-surgery immobility can increase the risk of issues like joint stiffness, poor circulation, or scar-tissue build-up. Early, guided physiotherapy can help prevent these complications and support smoother recovery.

4. Restores Confidence and Function

One of the biggest milestones after surgery is regaining confidence in your body. Whether you’re walking after hip surgery, climbing stairs after knee replacement, or returning to sport, your physiotherapist will help you rebuild trust in your movement.

You’ll learn how to move safely, manage your pain, and get back to your daily routines — from work to exercise — at your own pace.

Combining Pre- and Post-Surgery Rehab for the Best Outcome

While both stages of rehab are valuable, combining pre-surgery and post-surgery physiotherapy provides the greatest benefit. Prehab builds a strong foundation, while post-surgery rehab ensures that strength, flexibility, and movement patterns are restored correctly.

Together, they reduce your overall recovery time and help you return to full function with fewer setbacks.

At our Belconnen Physiotherapy Clinic, we support you through every stage of the process — from preparing your body before surgery to helping you rebuild strength afterward.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Surgical Recovery

Start early: Begin pre-surgery physiotherapy as soon as your surgery is scheduled.

Follow your program: Consistency with exercises (before and after surgery) is key.

Stay active within limits: Gentle movement helps healing — always follow your physio’s advice.

Ask questions: Understanding what’s happening builds confidence and helps you stay motivated.

Focus on nutrition and rest: A balanced diet and quality sleep aid recovery.

Take the First Step Toward a Better Recovery

If you’re planning surgery, it’s never too early to start preparing. Physiotherapy before and after surgery can help you recover faster, regain strength, and return to your daily life with confidence.

At our Canberra physiotherapy clinic in Belconnen, we’ll create a tailored plan that supports your recovery at every stage.

Book an appointment today to discuss your upcoming surgery and start your prehab or post-surgery rehab journey with our friendly, experienced physiotherapists.