Recovery from surgery or serious illness doesn’t have to begin in the hospital—it can start beforehand in the gym.
Research shows that patients who build muscle before surgery, chemotherapy, or other medical procedures recover faster and face fewer complications. As modern medicine shifts toward proactive health, building muscle before treatment has emerged as a crucial strategy for achieving faster recovery and better outcomes.
A Secret Weapon for Recovery
Surgery places considerable stress on the body, triggering an immediate hormonal response that initiates muscle breakdown. The release of cortisol during surgery starts this process, Dr. Derek Papp, an orthopedic surgeon, told The Epoch Times. Post-surgery, immobility and reduced activity further accelerate muscle atrophy.
