Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Respiratory physiotherapy or chest physiotherapy is a type of respiratory care usually incorporating postural drainage, cough facilitation, and breathing exercises used for loosening and removing lung secretions. Thus, helping to decrease work of breathing, promote the expansion of the lungs, and prevent the lungs from collapse

Common respiratory disease includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, asthma, pulmonary arterial hypertension, pneumonia and lung cancer. Physiotherapy interventions include airway clearance techniques, breathing exercises, noninvasive ventilation, pre-operative and post-operative management.

In recent times, a number of individuals undergo cardiothoracic surgery and physiotherapy management at this time point is also important. Preoperative rehabilitation consists of education, preoperative respiratory care and advice regarding postoperative care. This exercise program helps improve preoperative fitness, improve respiratory muscle function, and decrease postoperative respiratory morbidity.

Physiotherapy is a critical component in the management of chronic respiratory disease. The main indications for physical therapy for patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are excessive pulmonary secretions or atelectasis. A number of impairments contribute to limited exercise performance, dyspnea and fatigue. This includes impairments in the ventilatory system, including airflow limitation, dynamic hyperinflation, impaired gas exchange, poor breathing mechanics, and increased work of breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity, dyspnea, health related quality of life and reduce hospital re-admissions. Timely physical therapy interventions may improve gas exchange and control (reverse) pathological progression, thereby improving quality of life.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WITH PULMONARY REHABILITATION?  We as physiotherapist aim to improve your saturation, decrease your work of breathing and dependency on oxygen support. Do visit us for an exercise prescription for your chest condition.