Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Omphysio Service
What is pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation refers to a multi-disciplinary care, individually designed for clients with chronic respiratory conditions to optimise their autonomy and improve physical and social performance. This is done through a comprehensive subjective assessment including your complete history, medical condition, current symptoms, functional abilities, current medications and goals. Based on this information, we undertake a thorough objective assessment of your cardo-respiratory fitness, neuro-muscular endurance and relevant objective baseline measures. This enable us to create a unique set of training activities which are specific and tailor-made as per your abilities and gradually progress them to achieve your goals.
What can I achieve through pulmonary rehabilitation?
- Symptom reduction
- Self-management and understanding of the condition
- Improvement in functionality and performance of routine activities
- Improvement in overall endurance and exercise tolerance
- Facilitation of effective return to work
- Improvement in quality of life
- Relative reduction in hospitalisations
- Relative reduction in dependence on medical resources
Who requires pulmonary rehabilitation?
- Obstructive diseases
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Restrictive diseases
- Infectious diseases including broncho-pneumonia
- Interstitial diseases
- Chest wall diseases
- Neuromuscular diseases
- Lung cancer
- Post-thoracic surgery
- Before and after volume reduction surgery
- Ventilator dependency
- Pediatric patients with pulmonary disease
What are the components of pulmonary rehabilitation?
- Breathing retraining (Diaphragmatic breathing exercise & Pursed- lip breathing)
- Bronchial hygiene therapy (Cough techniques, Postural drainage, Percussion, Vibration, Active Cycle Breathing Techniques, Autogenic Drainage, Positive Expiratory Pressure devices including flutter/ acapella/ threshold PEP devices)
- Education on self-management (Relaxation technique, Energy conservation, Pacing techniques, Smoking cessation techniques, Proper use of medications, Dosage)
- Respiratory muscle training and general strength training
- Cardio-respiratory fitness training based on FITT principle
- Ensuring appropriate progression plan during follow-ups
- High intensity sports-specific exercise training for maintenance of physical activity levels
When should one begin pulmonary rehabilitation?
Generally, one can begin the rehabilitation sessions when they are referred by their consultants and/or have stable medical conditions. It is not indicated in acute respiratory conditions. Due to large scope of rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation could be administered in the hospital, at home and on out-patient care bases.
For further queries and additional information, feel free to contact us and you will be guided by one of our senior physiotherapists.