Breathlessness can be a symptom of a long-term lung condition, it can be uncomfortable, scary and make you not want to exercise. This can lead to the viscous cycle of inactivity, thus impacting on your daily life and well-being.
Pulmonary rehabilitation can be the first step to breaking that cycle with expert support from a team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists, with guidance in line with the standards from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a seven-week programme consisting of 14 structured exercise sessions to improve your breathlessness under the supervision of a specialist therapy team.
Each session consists of 60 minutes exercise tailored to your ability and up to 30 minutes of education related to your respiratory condition. Exercise consists of both endurance and resistance-based exercises.
The exercises are designed for people with a range of respiratory conditions including COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), lung transplant and asthma.
How would pulmonary rehabilitation benefit me?
- Enhance the knowledge and understanding of your respiratory condition along with symptom management
- Improve your strength and fitness
- Help to effectively manage your breathlessness and improve both physical and mental well-being
- Improve knowledge of inhaled medication
Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation
- Improve health related quality of life
- Improve mental well-being
- Increase confidence
- Improve respiratory muscle strength
- Decrease exercise related breathlessness
- Understand and manage your condition effectively
- Reduce chest infections
- Reduce risks of hospital admissions
Other topics relating to pulmonary rehabilitation
- Relaxation
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT)/sputum
- Positions of ease/breathing techniques
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Who can refer you to Pulmonary Rehab?
- GP
- Respiratory consultant
- Practice nurse
- Respiratory nurse
- Allied health care professional
Patient experience department
If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact our patient experience team who will advise you on how best to do this. This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospital wards and community health services.
Please click here to contact the team or click the patient experience department title above.
Contact details
The service can be contacted at Langbaurgh House Guisborough TS14 7AA, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm.
Tel: 01642 944607
Email: [email protected]