Prehab focuses on injury prevention, while rehab treats existing injuries. This post explains the key differences.
What’s the Difference Between Rehab and Prehab?
One gets you back in the game. The other keeps you from leaving it.
Most people wait until something hurts to take their body seriously. That’s where rehab comes in — fixing the problem after it’s already messing with your training, work, or life.
But there’s another side to the story. It’s called prehab — and if you’ve never heard of it, you’re probably overdue for it.
Let’s break down what makes them different — and why both matter if you want to move pain-free and stay injury-resistant for the long haul.
What Is Rehab?
Rehab (short for rehabilitation) is what happens after an injury, surgery, or flare-up. It’s the recovery process that helps you:
- Reduce pain
- Restore function
- Rebuild strength and mobility
- Correct what went wrong in the first place
At YFS, rehab isn’t just lying on a table with a heating pad. It’s active, progressive, and personalized — built to get you stronger than before, not just back to “okay.”
What Is Prehab?
Prehab (short for prehabilitation) is the smart stuff you do before an injury happens — to prevent it altogether.
It’s not just for pro athletes or people about to have surgery. It’s for:
- Lifters who want to avoid shoulder pain
- Runners who keep fighting off shin splints
- Desk workers stiff from 8-hour Zoom days
- Anyone who moves like a ticking time bomb
Prehab focuses on:
- Fixing mobility issues
- Improving joint control
- Strengthening weak links
- Refining movement patterns
- Bulletproofing your most-used joints
