Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, often leading to difficulty in breathing and reduced lung function. COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow. Living with COPD can be challenging, but with the right support, individuals can improve their breathing and general function leading to an improved quality of life. One crucial way to help those suffering with COPD is physiotherapy to manage symptoms.
Symptoms of COPD
These include breathing difficulty, cough, production of excess sputum and wheezing. Other symptoms include chest tightness, frequent respiratory infections, a lack of energy or stamina and unintended weight loss. Having COPD increases the risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and other conditions. However COPD is treatable and with proper management, most people with the disease can achieve good control of symptoms and enjoy a good quality of life.
How physiotherapy can help
- Positioning – Physiotherapists can help individuals manage their breathing difficulties by giving advice about positioning. Positioning can improve air entry in to the lungs, by relaxing the abdominal muscles, but it can also assist with clearance of sputum. The physiotherapist will be able to advise what practical steps you can take to improve your breathing.
- Breathing exercises- Physiotherapists can also provide advice and exercises to improve breathing by reducing the rate and improving airflow into the lungs. This can include pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing exercises also have a calming effect and benefit the patient when they are struggling to breathe.
- Manual techniques – the physiotherapist can advise on use of techniques which you can apply on yourself to improve sputum clearance. These are very effective in combination with breathing exercises.
- Energy management – Physiotherapists will be able to suggest effective ways of maintaining good energy levels through out the day. A mix of activity and rest will prevent you from getting exhausted early in the day. Exercise plans provided by therapists also affect stamina, so that over time, one is able to fit more in a day. As with many other lung or cardiovascular disorders, there are often good and bad days, and the physiotherapist will teach you how to vary your output depending on how you are feeling.
- Sleep management – lung disease often negatively affects sleep. The physiotherapist may be able to advise on good sleeping positions and how to use pillows to achieve comfort and a good night’s rest.
- Equipment – Physiotherapists may recommend equipment that may help with symptom management. This may include nebulisation, or devices such as the Flutter and Acapella. Training on correct inhaler use and use of spacers may be helpful with improving effectiveness of inhalers.
- Creating an individualised plan – Different techniques work different people’s symptoms and presentation. A physiotherapist will be able to put together a plan specifically to assist you.
If you feel that physiotherapy can help you overcome and manage your COPD, please contact Home Physio Group on 0330 335 1016 to talk to our team, or alternatively, please use the contact form on the website and we will reach out to you.