Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes breathing difficulty and leads to other systemic problems. COPD is the tenth most prevalent disease worldwide. It’s estimated that by 2050, COPD will be the fifth leading cause of death in the world. Although COPD used to be more common among men, it now affects women nearly as equally in developed countries.
People with COPD often have shortness of breath and reduced strength in their “inspiratory muscles” (the muscles used to breathe in). Your physical therapist can help you with inspiratory muscle training, which helps reduce shortness of breath and increase exercise capacity. Your physical therapist can instruct you in pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing, which can help make each breath more efficient, and helps to reduce shortness of breath during your physical activities.
Everest Rehabilitation Services physical therapists can work with your pulmonary rehabilitation team or with you individually to help improve:
- Your exercise capacity
- Your overall strength
- Your health
