4 Exercises to Help with COPD

COPD can bring on shortness of breath, which makes breathing exercises an important part of strengthening the lungs, moving air in and out more effectively, and easing that breathlessness.

4 Breathing Exercises for COPD

• Deep breathing — push your elbows back to expand the chest, take a deep breath, hold it as long as you can, then release the breath and cough strongly; repeat about 10 times per hour throughout the day to help move trapped air out of the lungs.
• Pursed-lip breathing — breathe in slowly through the nose for about 2 seconds, then purse your lips and exhale for about twice as long as the inhale, with a slight hissing sound, to help slow and calm your breathing.
• Diaphragmatic breathing — lie down with knees bent, one hand on the belly and one on the upper chest; breathe in through the nose so the belly rises while the chest stays still, then purse your lips to exhale; this strengthens the diaphragm instead of relying on the neck, back, and shoulder muscles that COPD can force into use.
• Controlled coughing — sit with feet on the floor, lean slightly forward with arms folded across the belly, breathe in through the nose, then lean forward, press your arms against your belly, and cough two to three times, sharp and short, before inhaling gently; this helps loosen and clear mucus without collapsing the airways.

Conclusion

These breathing exercises help move air into the lungs and clear them of mucus. If you have COPD or another lung condition, the specialists at Pulmonary Medical Consultants can help — contact us at (281) 357-1300 or info@lungdoctorhouston.com.