Physiotherapists can help with respiratory issues, but first …
A little bit about the Lungs
Air enters the body either from the mouth or nose. As the air enters, it travels down the trachea (windpipe) and splits into the Left or Right Main Bronchus. From here it continues to travel down the respiratory tree until it comes to the Alveoli. This is where the oxygen is absorbed in your bloodstream.
A little bit about breathing
The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle that sits underneath your lungs. When you breathe in your diaphragm contracts, pulling your lungs down, filling them with air. As you breathe out the diaphragm relaxes and pushes the air back out of your lungs. Your Rib Cage is the barrier protecting your lungs. The ribs move similar to a pump handle and a bucket handle. The ribs at the top of your chest move up and down, like a pump handle. There is not a lot of movement in this direction. The lower ribs move more like a bucket handle and can create more movement and expansion of the lungs.
How can a physiotherapist help me breathe? OR clear phlegm off my chest?
Physiotherapists can help with reducing the amount of shortness of breath, help remove secretions/ mucous in the lungs and open up airways and alveoli in the lower lung.
We can do this using a number of techniques. Some of these techniques use manual chest physiotherapy. These techniques are known as percussion or vibes. They involve rhythmic clapping or gentle mobilisation of the rib cage to transmit vibrations through the chest wall and into the lungs, helping to dislodge and move secretions.
Other techniques we can use involve teaching you how to manipulate your breathing patterns and body position. There are several different methods and it will depend on what you are trying to achieve. These techniques are very useful with people suffering from COPD, shortness of breath or a build-up of phlegm.
Interested and want to learn more? OR do you have a chest issue that you think might benefit from chest physiotherapy? Please call our Core team on 1300 012 273.