June is the month that we mark Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week, a time to highlight life-changing support that empowers people with chronic lung conditions.
Why might you need pulmonary rehab?
If you live with a long-term lung condition that makes breathing more difficult and limits your daily activities, pulmonary rehab is designed to help you manage symptoms like breathlessness and build physical strength. It isn’t a cure for your condition. It doesn’t repair damaged lungs. But it can dramatically improve your quality of life.
Pulmonary rehab is for people with:
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Bronchiectasis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Asthma (in some cases)
- Post-COVID or long COVID respiratory issues
- People recovering from lung surgery or a severe exacerbation
- Chronic lung conditions requiring long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) who may feel unsure about how to exercise safely.
What is pulmonary rehab?
It is a program of physical exercise and education that helps people manage their symptoms and improves quality of life. A typical programme lasts approximately 6 weeks, with at least two supervised exercise sessions per week, plus guided home practice. It uses a blend of aerobic and resistance training, education and self-management strategies, all tailored to your needs.
Research shows PR reliably supports you in managing your condition by:
- Reducing feelings of breathlessness
- Increasing exercise tolerance
- Boosting muscle strength and endurance
- Improving mood, sleep and independence
Introducing L‑TOT patients to pulmonary rehab
LTOT stands for long term oxygen therapy, but using oxygen doesn’t rule out exercise. In fact, it is vital for them. Air Physio’s respiratory physiotherapists work with LTOT patients to set safe and effective exercise regimes, ensuring their oxygen levels remain in safe parameters. Patients are taught techniques such as pacing strategies and breathing techniques to help manage their symptoms and give them the confidence to move more.
Air Physio ‘meets’ pulmonary rehab
At Air Physiotherapy, our respiratory rehabilitation programme is designed to be completely bespoke, delivered one-to-one by a specialist respiratory physiotherapist. It begins with a thorough initial assessment, where we take time to understand how your lungs are functioning, how your body responds to activity, and what might be affecting your ability to breathe well. This includes a full respiratory review, oxygen assessments (both at rest and on the move), an airway clearance evaluation and a physical assessment to gauge strength, mobility and endurance.
From there, we build a treatment plan that works with your specific condition and goals. This typically includes one or two sessions a week of cardiovascular and strength-based exercise, designed to improve stamina and muscle efficiency without overwhelming your breathing. We also incorporate a personalised airway clearance routine to help manage secretions, along with an infection plan to help you deal with flare-ups. Breathing exercises, pacing strategies and lifestyle advice are introduced gradually, helping you gain more control over your breathing and reduce your day-to-day breathlessness.
Education is a key part of the programme. You’ll learn about how your condition affects your lungs, how daily habits influence symptoms, and how respiratory physiotherapy fits into long-term health management. We also stay in touch with your wider medical team where needed, making sure everything is joined up. And importantly, you’ll leave with lifetime access to your personalised treatment plan, including a library of exercises, advice and tools to keep building on your progress, long after your sessions have ended.
Why marking pulmonary rehabilitation week matters
Marking pulmonary rehabilitation week is an opportunity to remember that a diagnosis isn’t destiny. You can take control through structured rehab, breathing techniques and specialist guidance.
If you or someone you care for is living with COPD, bronchiectasis, lung fibrosis or is on LTOT, now is a great time to find out more about our personalised programme, practical skills, and ongoing support.
Get in touch to explore how we can help: enquiries@
Or book your first consultation today https://air-physiotherapy.
