Following on from our first blog on Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) Week which is just a week away our second blog on the subject takes a closer look at what PR is, why it helps and how similar the Air Physiotherapy service is.

The week takes place in the UK and Northern Ireland from June 19-23 and is designed to raise awareness of the existence and benefits of PR.

PR can ease the pressure on hospitals all year round not just in the winter.

Pulmonary rehab – the statistics

PR can make a significant difference to recovery time in hospital. According to a Royal College of Physicians Audit in 2018,  it can reduce the time people spend in hospital by 50%, from 9.6 days to 4.8 days if patients complete it.

PR is one of the treatments that is a key intervention in the NHS Long Term Plan, which has made respiratory disease a new national clinical priority. It focuses on tailored physical exercise and information so that patients are better able to understand and manage their condition/s and symptoms, including feeling short of breath. Predominantly to support those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), other long-term lung conditions, such as bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis, can also benefit.

Patients will typically attend a PR course over a 6-8 week period, with two sessions of around two hours each week that take place in a group setting. The sessions will involve individually prescribed exercise as well as an education program including aerobic exercise and resistance training and lifestyle support.

Pulmonary rehabilitation in the NHS setting

The main aim of PR is to improve your flexibility, strength and fitness.
But what does that mean? And how does it work?
You will begin the program with a warm up, and your progress will be carefully managed throughout. You will work through exercises to increase your strength and fitness (these exercises may be a combination of walking on a treadmill, leg and arm exercises or using a static bike). Each session will end with a range of stretches to cool down. You’ll leave the session with a program of similar exercises that you’ll need to do at home.
Your physiotherapist will also teach you breathing control techniques, as well as advice on how to pace yourself so that you maximise the effectiveness of the sessions.  Advice on how to live with your condition day to day as well as a whole host of hints and tips will also be shared with you.

The Air Physiotherapy offering

The treatment we offer is similar to the pulmonary rehabilitation program offered within the NHS in that we follow the same clinical guidelines. Many of our patients have either already been through the NHS program or are currently on the waiting list for it.

Our service is fully bespoke and will take place on a one-to-one basis as opposed to a group setting.

Treatment will be tailored to your needs following an assessment and typically will reflect the same kind of program structure as the NHS pulmonary rehab program. Our team of specialists have all delivered pulmonary rehab as part of our NHS roles so you’re in very safe hands!

If you’d like to make an appointment or to find out more about our service please call 0207 971 1464 or click here.