Times Colonist

Functional Training

PRE AND POST SURGERY STEPS

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If you’re planning to have surgery, you’ll want to spend some time preparing. This means taking care of your health, learning as much as you can about the procedure, and getting to know the people who will be taking care of you. Planning ahead can ease your mind, make you stronger and help you heal faster with a smooth recovery. Some steps are: 1. Pre-Rehabilita­tion: enter a program that will

target the muscles requiring strengthen­ing; 2. Talk to your physician about your procedure

and what to expect post surgery; 3. Understand pain medication­s and

management; 4. Communicat­e your needs to your spouse or

caregiver; 5. Post-Rehabilita­tion.

Beth Madill was scheduled for knee surgery; then she came to Fit for Life for pre-surgery training. Beth says, “Strengthen­ing prior to surgery at Fit for Life, and learning all I could about the procedure gave me great peace of mind. I was able to work through the post surgery exercise procedures and strengthen my legs prior to surgery. I was well prepared, both psychologi­cally and physically, to enter into my knee replacemen­t surgery. Also, both physio in Seattle and Rebalance commented on how they both felt I had definitely benefited from doing physio before the operation. Now I wouldn’t even consider heading into an operation without doing physio first.”

Fit for Life’s Certified Medical Exercise Specialist­s will work with your doctor to ensure the program is customized to your needs. Fit for Life offers a one-on-one exercise program that helps individual­s prepare for surgery. Exercises to strengthen certain targeted muscles, joints and bones help the body prepare before the surgery.

With a customized pre-op exercise program, the body becomes stronger and contribute­s to an easy and fast recovery. Research demonstrat­es that patients who participat­e in pre-op exercise programs regain their functional­ity more quickly and better than those who don’t undertake exercise before surgery.

Your customized exercise program may include using Fit for Life’s comfortabl­e exercise machines which target the specific muscles that need to be strengthen­ed, and may also use helpful props and accessorie­s in the gym or studio.

A few weeks after your surgery, Fit for Life will provide you with a customized medical exercise training program that will help to get your strength and balance back quickly, and maximize your new and improved functional capability. The Fit for Life Post Rehabilita­tion program increases your mobility and range of motion, and helps to maintain your overall strength. Most importantl­y, it helps you enjoy more of your Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), whether around the house, around the grandchild­ren, around the neighbourh­ood or around the golf course. Learn more about Fit

for Life and how they can help you reach your fitness goals. Call: 250-382-2328, or visit: #202 (Athlone Court)2187 Oak Bay Ave. to sign up for a free consultati­on. See you in the gym!

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