Types of Breathing Exercises

Breathing Exercises

• Breathing exercises are fundamental interventions for the prevention or management of the acute or chronic pulmonary disease.

  

  Figg.1: Deep breathing

  
  
• These interventions are recommended for:
• The patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases i.e. chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, cystic fibrosis.
• The patient a spinal cord lesions. 
• The patient who have undergone thoracic or abdominal surgery and are at high risk of acute pulmonary complications.
• The patients must remain in bed for a long period of time.

Types of Breathing exercises

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing

1. Patients with primary pulmonary disease can be taught during control by optimal use of diaphragm and relaxation of accessory muscles of inspiration.
2. Diaphragmatic breathing based on control breathing techniques, which are designed to improve the efficiency of ventilation, decrease the work of breathing, increase the excursion (contraction or relaxation) of the diaphragm, and improve the gas exchange
3. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises are also used to mobilize lung secretions during postural drainage.
       

2. Glossopharyngeal Breathing

1. Glossopharyngeal breathing helps to increase the patient's inspiratory capacity when there are severe weak muscles of inspiration.
2. The patient takes in several "gulps" of air. Then the mouth is closed and the tongue pushes the air back and traps the air in the pharynx. The air is then forced into lungs when the glottis is opened. This increases the depth of inspiration and the patient's vital capacity.
      

3. Pursed-Lip Breathing

1. Pursed-lip Breathing decreases the respiratory rate, increases the tidal volume, and improves exercise tolerance.
2. Pursed-lip breathing, expiration is passive and contraction of abdominal muscles is avoided.