Prehab: Physical Therapy Before Surgery

Returning to life after surgery can sometimes be a painful, lengthy process. By planning ahead, a physical therapist can help make that process of recovery much easier and help ease the pain.

Dancers exercising in a dance studio. Generative AI
Dancers exercising in a dance studio. Generative AI

FAQs

Is prehab therapy covered by insurance?

In many cases, yes. Most insurance plans—including Medicare—cover pre-operative physical therapy when deemed medically necessary. Our team will help verify your benefits and work with your surgeon’s referral.

What is prehabilitation and how is it different from rehab?

Prehabilitation (prehab) is physical therapy performed before surgery to improve strength, mobility, and readiness for recovery. Rehab begins after surgery to help restore function. Think of prehab as training your body to bounce back faster post-op.

When should I start prehab before surgery?

Most patients begin prehab 4–6 weeks before their surgery date. This allows enough time to build strength and address any concerns, while also forming a trusted relationship with your therapy team.

My son absolutely loves his therapists and they are helping him make such huge leaps and bounds when it comes to him understanding what hes being told and his eating. Highly recommend to anyone and everyone with littles (:
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share this review, it means so much! – The team at ABC Pediatric Therapy!
There is no other physical Therapy team that I would rather go to. The entire team is kind, conscientious of your care, when I broke my leg I immediately reached out to Tyson to let him know I'd be coming there as soon as my physician released me for PT. Know that "you" can choose where you go for your physical therapy needs. Ask them to send you to Ivy Rehab, you will not regret it!
All the therapist are great at what they do. Everyone from the front desk to the therapy floor are very caring and great to be around. I would definitely recommend Synergy to anyone needing therapy and want to get better.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing this with us! – The team at Synergy Rehab and Wellness, Staunton
The best decision I made was going to this PT clinic. Everyone goes above and beyond to make sure that you reach your goals and eliminate pain and discomfort. Getting a second surgery was an easy decision knowing I will have this team behind me every step of the way.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Ivy Rehab, North Wales!
I love going to physical therapy at Ivy Rehab because of the therapist there. Everyone is kind, patient, understanding and most importantly, effective. The efficiency of the therapist ensures me that my time is valuable and the program is designed specifically for me. It's not cookie cutter. My physical recovery looks different from anyone else's. That is important to me.
Response from the owner:Your kind words brighten our day – thank you for sharing! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Barnegat
My daughter is doing physical therapy for her knee.The employees are friendly and helpful.The place is always neat and clean.We also love her physical therapist, Sheryl she is great with my 11 year old.
Response from the owner:We value your feedback, thank you for your kind words! – The team at Synergy Rehab and Wellness – Staunton
I can’t recommend Ivy Rehab Excel Physical Therapy enough! My experience with Debbie was nothing short of transformative. After undergoing three femur fracture surgeries, I was apprehensive about my recovery, but Debbie’s expertise and dedication made all the difference. She not only guided me through the rehabilitation process with a tailored plan, but she also identified issues that my surgeon had overlooked, ensuring a comprehensive recovery. Debbie’s encouraging approach and deep knowledge of physical therapy empowered me to regain strength and mobility faster than I ever expected. The entire staff at Ivy Rehab is welcoming and supportive, creating a positive environment that made each visit enjoyable. If you’re looking for exceptional care and personalized attention, look no further than Ivy Rehab.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words; we appreciate your feedback! – The team at Excel Physical Therapy, Englewood Cliffs
When our son started therapy at ABC, they let us know about a grant program that we may be eligible for through our insurance company. We would have never known this money was available without ABC. This grant helped cover the costs of our son's regular therapy and some therapy services that insurance did not cover. ABC has been very helpful every step along the way, explaining the process and helping us fill out the paperwork. In addition, our son's speech therapist has been amazing and he has made so much progress with her help!
Response from the owner:Thank you Kristen. I am so glad we were able to help with the grant and that your son is progressing! Thank you for trusting us in the care of your child.
Excellent rehab facility and staff. I worked with Amy and she is incredibly knowledgeable. She listens and observes to make sure the treatment is targeting the injury rather than following a script. I saw a solid progression over my 8 weeks working with her. We were working on persistent lower back pain.
Response from the owner:That's wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Bala Cynwyd – North
Ivy & the staff has been nothing but phenomenal! My son loves going & has made so much progress! We’re so thankful for everyone at ivy for exceptional care we receive!
Response from the owner:It’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab for Kids, Canton
Kevin has been amazing with helping me with my back pain. He is a great listener and makes sure everything is explained. My pain has decreased significantly and he really makes sure I’ll be pain free for the future. His front desk is also amazing she is so prompt and very sweet to talk to.
This therapy practice has knowledgeable and friendly staff and flexible hours, and Maryellen was always helpful, creative, and experienced in assisting me with my issues.
Response from the owner:Your kind review made our day, thank you so much! – The team at Back in Action Physical Therapy – Apex
I saw Lauryn for a year to recover from an ACL tear, and I have nothing but great things to say! I’m feeling fully recovered. Lauryn is extremely knowledgeable, a great motivator, super kind, and very personable. I always felt like I got dedicated 1×1 attention from her. I would highly recommend her to anyone! As a whole, Ivy is great. They offer a car ride to/from appointments, their assistants are just as knowledgeable as the PTs, their equipment is in great shape, etc. They take care of all the small stuff so that you can just focus on your recovery. The best part about Ivy is their staff. They’re so friendly and positive. It’s a great motivating environment. Special shoutout to Liz at the front desk! She’s the best. Overall I would highly recommend Ivy to anyone!
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing this with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Hoboken – Midtown
They listen to parent concerns and make the goals together! They also make it fun for the kiddos! My 5yo and 8yo both loving coming. And the 5yo gets sad when it’s NOT therapy day. They’ve both come so far thanks to ABC therapy!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words and trusting ABC with the care of your child!
Victoria was super knowledgable and calm. She could handle several patients at a time with help from her assistants. She had her eyes on everyone! The staff was super nice and helpful. I highly recommend Victoria and Ivy Rehab Therapy in Briarcliff!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great review, we really appreciate it! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Briarcliff Manor
This place is what a physical therapy center should be. Their goal is to treat the cause of your injury, not just the symptoms. Dr Posthumus provided first class treatment and he told me his goal was to fix me up and provide me the tools to prevent future injuries from occurring. I could not recommend this place enough.
Response from the owner:That's wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Caledonia
I highly recommend Excel Physical Therapy in Westfield! After I fell skiing and injured my knee, the team took such wonderful care of me—with genuine attention, compassion, and expertise. Choosing a PT practice can be overwhelming, and I’m so grateful I found Excel. The entire staff is fantastic, including John, Josh, Christian, Sara, Ebony, and especially my primary therapist, Aaron. Aaron brings a kind, thoughtful approach to treating the whole patient. He supported me through pre-hab, talked through my options as I considered surgery, and helped me prepare both physically and mentally. I ultimately chose to move forward with ACL repair and a partial meniscectomy, and the pre-hab made a huge difference in my post-surgery recovery. I returned to Excel after surgery, and now—just three months later—I’m blown away by how well I’m doing. I owe so much of that progress to this team. If you’re unsure where to go or hesitant about starting PT, look no further than Excel. Aaron and John are exceptional therapists who provide hands-on care and a customized program that evolves as you do. Josh, Christian, and Sara are always there to guide you through your exercises, and Ebony keeps everything running smoothly—from scheduling appointments to helping navigate insurance—and is simply a joy to see at every visit. On top of the incredible care, the environment is upbeat, welcoming, and always has a great playlist. Excel Physical Therapy is truly the best—thank you all for helping me get back on my feet!
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share this review, it means so much! – The team at Excel Physical Therapy – Westfield – East Broad St
Still on going. Taylor and Dom were excellent in the treatment I needed as well as delightful to interact with during those sessions. Very positive experience.
I so highly recommend Ivy Rehab on Washington Street in Hoboken for any possible issue. I had a successful shoulder replacement a year ago but would never have rehabilitated as well as I did without Justin’s incredible expertise and care. The surgeons at HSS were so impressed with the progress I made this year. The entire staff is fantastic — warm and highly competent — from the reception desk to the assistants to the therapists. I have gone there for other rehab in the past and will on the future.
Response from the owner:We value your feedback, thank you for your kind words! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Hoboken
I came in with pain in my back and neck, and later developed pain in my knee; my physical therapist Connie worked with me through all of it and helped me get back on my feet. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, we appreciate you! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Princeton
I went to ivy rehab, referred by another local rehab, where all others were 1 to two months out, Matthew Fleming and crew were able to understand my situation and get started, although skeptical, I will say after just a few weeks I feel much more mobile. I appreciate the professionalism, but not snobby, great people and down to earth. Definitely would refer my friends and family looking to understand there injury, and get relief.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great review, we really appreciate it! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Monroe
Ivy Rehab
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.