Breathing exercise

We usually think of respiration as the mechanical process of breathing, that is the repetitive and, for the most part, unconscious exchange of air between the lungs and the external environment. In physical therapy we disagree. Physical therapist use conscious contraction of muscles for decreasing the ability of lungs to fill with air and to expel.

A large muscular partition, the diaphragm, lies between the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. By contracting and relaxing, the diaphragm produces the needed pressure differential for respiration. Is that characteristic important for us? Yes, we use that diaphragm's possibility for breathing exercise. Physical therapy with breathing exercise, drainage, relaxing and rhythmical exercise has important role in treating and preventing respiratory disorders. Most common disorder treated by breathing exercises is Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD) which includes: Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, Pulmonary Emphysema and Bronchiectasis.

Our treatment begins by taking anamnesis. Physical therapist takes all relevant information for the patient and his disease. Beside that it 's important to listen carefully, allow the patient to tell in his/her own words how the problem started and express their own fears about their problem. Good relationship between the patient and therapist in the beginning of treatment makes good grounds for future success. As well, it makes patient comfortable and relaxed which is most important for people who suffer from respiratory disease. Only when they relax they can receive our learning in positive way, and that is the key component of their wellness. For patients with COPD breathing is synonymous with being alive. It is hard to understand the great value of breathing if we hasn't experience violent attack of dispnea, which these patients experience very often. Therefore, physical therapist who works with respiratory (especially asthmatic) patients must have great amount of empathy and gentleness in their work.

What are the goals of breathing exercise? In physiology of respiration these exercises improves exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in all the cells, lymph drainage, circulation, ventilation and expectoration of sputum. In psychological way, breathing exercises gives to the patient better management of stress, a sense of well-being and relaxation.

After the anamnesis is taken and explained importance of breathing exercise to the patient we can start treating. Every exercise should begin with drainage and relaxation exercise. Breathing exercise, known as Deep Slow Breathing, is exercise important for all patients with COPD. Short instructions for this type of breathing exercise are: Inhale very slowly, allowing the breath to enter smoothly through your nose. At the same time, push out your abdomen. Try not to you’re your chest.

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