By : Dr. Jigar Mehta

Breathing Exercise

Breathing exercises are only part of a

treatment program designed to improve

pulmonary status & to improve a patient’s

overall endurance and function in ADLs.

Depending on patient’s clinical problem,

breathing exercises are often combined

with medications, postural drainage, and

graded exercise program.

Indications

Acute or chronic lung diseases e.g. COPD, etc.

Pain in thoracic or abdominal area because of surgery or trauma.

Deficits in CNS that lead to muscle weakness

Severe orthopedic abnormalities e.g. Scoliosis

Stress management and relaxation procedure

Goals

Improve ventilation

Increase the effectiveness of cough mechanism

Prevents pulmonary complications

Maintain or improve chest & thoracic spine mobility

Improve the strength, endurance & co-ordination of respiratory muscles.

Promote relaxation

Improve patient overall functional capacity

Principles

• Area of exercises

• Explanation & Instruction to the patient

• Patients position

• Evaluate the patient

• Demonstration of exercise

• Patient practice

Precautions

• Never allow a patient to forced expiration.

• Don’t allow a patient to take a very prolongedexpiration.

• Don’t allow a patient initiate inspiration with theaccessory muscles.

• Avoid hyperventilation.

Types of Breathing Exercise

Three types are commonly used:

• Diaphragmatic breathing exercise

• Segmental breathing exercise

• Pursed lip breathing exercise

Diaphragmatic breathing exercise

Segmental breathing exercise

• It is important to emphasize expansion of the

localized area of the lung while keeping other

area quiet.

• Four types of segmental breathing exercise are:

Lateral costal expansion

Posterior basal expansion

Right middle or lingula expansion

Apical expansion

Segmental breathing exercise

Segmental breathing exercise

Pursed lip breathing exercise