Respiratory Physiotherapy involves specialist hands-on treatment and advice for a range of problems including breathing difficulties and chest infections. Respiratory Physiotherapists can also help your recovery after hospital stays following surgery, chest problems or cardiac events.
At C-Physio our Respiratory Physiotherapists provide a range of assessment, monitoring, advice and treatment techniques to help you:
- Manage Long Term Chest Problems
- Keep out of hospital by preventing chest problems in the first place
- Reduce the effect and severity of Chest Infections
- Live life to the full by learning how to Control Breathlessness
- Prepare for a planned hospital visit Prior to Surgery
- Improve recovery After Discharge following a Hospital Stay
- Maintain chest problems from Genetic or Hereditary Conditions
- Improve fitness following a Heart Attack
- Reduce the risk of further Cardiac Problems
Our Respiratory Physiotherapists are trained in auscultation techniques (using a stethoscope to listen to your lungs). Effective auscultation allows us to identify the area of the lungs that is affected, and direct our treatment towards that section. Focussed, specific treatment for chest problems has been shown to be more effective than a general once over.
We’ll take your whole condition into account before discussing with you the best course of action.
Amongst the treatments we offer specifically for respiratory problems are:
- Deep breathing exercises to expand lung capacity and clear secretions (sputum or phlegm)
- Breathing and circulation exercises to prevent chest problems
- Exercises to improve your walking ability and distance
- Individually tailored Exercises to control your breathing pattern and build muscle strength
- Ongoing fitness programmes
- Hands-On Secretion Clearance Techniques
- Using Equipment, such as an acapella or incentive spirometer, to maximise the results of your treatment
- Positioning Techniques to reduce breathlessness and improve sputum clearance
Respiratory Physiotherapy
  Long Term Chest Problems
But do you have someone to turn to when your normal techniques just aren’t working like they used to?
If your chest problem has suddenly got worse and you’re struggling to manage it as well as you usually do, some chest physiotherapy may help to get your symptoms back under control quickly and effectively, without having to visit your GP or the hospital.
  Chest Infections
When Winter strikes, you sometimes need a bit of extra help to make sure you get all your secretions cleared. Retained secretions are a common cause for chest infections and can lead to hospitalisation for intensive antibiotic treatment, increased oxygenation and ventilation with breathing machines.
Clearing secretions before they become a major problem is the most effective way to keep fit and healthy and avoid a hospital visit.
At C-Physio we can identify which part of your lungs is problematic, and teach you how to clear your lungs most effectively with a range of breathing exercises and positioning techniques. We can even provide you with hands-on treatment and use special equipment to clear your chest infection more quickly.
  Breathing Difficulties
But what happens if you still can’t control your breathing?
Breathlessness can create a vicious circle of panic, reduced activity levels, deconditioning, and further breathlessness.
  Hyperventilation
It can happen for a number of reasons, but for most people it is a rare reaction to things like fear, stress, phobias, anxiety, anger or depression.
And once you’ve started to breathe more quickly, it can be difficult to get your breathing back under control.
At C-Physio, our Respiratory Physiotherapists can assess the extent of your breathing difficulties and understand how Hyperventilation Syndrome affects you.
  Learn to Control Your Breathing
We can teach you techniques to control your breathing and manage your condition better, to minimise the effects of breathlessness. Once you’ve got your breathing under control, you can learn how to exercise safely at the right level, improving your activity levels, breaking the cycle of breathlessness.
  Be Prepared for a Quicker Surgical Recovery
If you’re going into hospital for planned or elective surgery, there are some key things you can do to reduce the risk of complications.
Complications such as:
- Chest Infections
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Shortness of Breath
- Pain
You’ll get a range of breathing exercises that you can practice before admission to reduce the risk of complications, and improve your recovery.
They’ll also give you the ability to control your pain with wound protection and support techniques that can help to minimise the amount of pain medication you’ll need.
  After Discharge following Chest, Stomach or Throat Surgery
You’ll be medically fit and well to leave hospital, but it doesn’t always mean you’re 100%.
If your wound is painful, you won’t be so keen to get moving.
And if shortness of breath is preventing you from getting out and about, you’ll want to know how you can improve your breathlessness.
You can improve your recovery with the specialist support of a Physiotherapist. We can guide you with a range of exercises and offer treatments to increase your fitness, improve your breathing control, improve your wound healing and reduce your pain.
To ensure you get the best advice on making a speedy and effective recovery following a surgical procedure, give us a call on 01274 270450 to book a Physiotherapy Assessment with our Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist.
  Heart Attacks and Cardiac Problems
In hospital, you should have been given medications to reduce the effects of angina and chest pains if it is a problem. You’ve been advised to exercise, and you might even have been through a stage 3 Cardiac Rehab programme.
But how do you know when to progress your exercise programme?
Or make sure you get back the levels of fitness you want to achieve?
At C-Physio, our Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist is experienced in Cardiac Rehabilitation. We can make sure you are exercising safely, within a heart rate range that is appropriate to you.
We understand the types of exercises that are safe to perform, but can also guide you in developing your exercise programme to reduce the risks of further heart problems.
So if you’re suffering from stable angina, you’ve had a heart attack and want to get fitter, or you’re recovering from cardiac surgery and want to get the best advice on how you can exercise safely, give us a call on 01274 270450 to book an Assessment with our Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist and start to improve your fitness levels.