Pulmonary Rehabilitation

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

Goals of a pulmonary rehabilitation program:

The purpose of pulmonary rehabilitation is to help people lead a full, satisfying life; to restore them to their highest possible functional capacity; and to help them live a more comfortable and enjoyable life. These goal are often met by:

• decreasing respiratory symptoms and complications.
  
  
• encouraging independence through self-management and control over daily functioning.
  
  
• improving physical conditioning and exercise performance.
  
  
• improving emotional well-being.
  
  
• reducing hospitalizations.

The pulmonary rehabilitation team:

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs can be conducted while a person is a hospital inpatient, or on an outpatient basis. Many skilled professionals are part of the pulmonary rehabilitation team. In addition to physicians, the team may include:

• respiratory therapists
• dietitians
• educators
• physical therapists
• social workers
• nurses
• psychologists
• occupational therapists
• other allied health professionals

The pulmonary rehabilitation program:

A typical rehabilitation program includes:

• breathing exercises
• exercise reconditioning
• progressive relaxation training
• stress and panic control techniques
• smoking cessation
• educational programs to provide information on:
  
  
  • medication
  • diet
  • exercise
  • caring for and operating respiratory therapy equipment
    
    
• exercise programs that may include:
  
  
  • calisthenics or stretching exercises to increase flexibility
    
    
  • weight training to increase exercise endurance and conditioning
    
    
  • specific exercises on stationary bicycles, treadmills, and other miscellaneous exercise machines

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