Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of education and exercise that helps you manage your breathing problem, increase your stamina (energy) and decrease your breathlessness. The education part of the program teaches you to be “in charge” of your breathing instead of your breathing being in charge of you. You will learn how to pace your breathing with your activities, how to take your medicines and how to talk with your healthcare provider. The exercise sessions are supervised by a pulmonary rehabilitation staff that prepares an exercise program just for you. The exercises start at a level that you can handle (some people start exercising while sitting and others on a treadmill). The amount of time you exercise will be increased in time and the level of diculty will change based on your ability. As your muscles get stronger, you will exercise longer with less breathlessness and be less tired.
Who qualifies for Pulmonary Rehab?
Jul 13, 2020 · Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of education and exercise to increase awareness about your lungs and your disease. You will learn to achieve exercise with less shortness of breath. The classes are offered in a group setting so you get the chance to meet others with your condition, which provides an opportunity to give and receive peer support.
How does pulmonary rehab help you breathe?
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a program of educational classes and supervised exercise sessions for people with chronic breathing difficulty. PR can benefit people diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchiectasis, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and other chronic pulmonary disorders.
What is the best breathing exercise for COPD?
Mar 24, 2022 · Pulmonary rehabilitation is a supervised medical program that helps people who have lung diseases live and breathe better. You may need pulmonary rehabilitation if you have a lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the program, you will learn exercises and breathing techniques.
How to do pulmonary rehab at home for COPD?
What will pulmonary rehabilitation do for you? Pulmonary rehabilitation has two parts - exercise and education: Exercise training helps you build strength and endurance to get your energy back; Education will help you learn about manage your lung condition. Topics include medications, stress, nutrition, and exercise.
How will I know if my insurance will pay for pulmonary rehabilitation?
Many insurances cover pulmonary rehabilitation services. This includes Medicare and many private insurances. Traditional Medicaid does not cover pu...
How long will the pulmonary rehabilitation program last?
Program length varies based on your lung condition. Many last between 4-12 weeks and meet 2-3 days a week. If you progress quicker, the program may...
How many days a week will I attend?
It may vary depending on the location, but the average is 3 days per week.
Is parking provided for pulmonary rehabilitation?
There is free parking at many IU Health locations. If you are attending at IU Health Methodist, parking passes are provided to the patient to park...
I use oxygen. Can I still attend pulmonary rehab?
Yes! Many patients attend pulmonary rehab with their oxygen. Many of the programs will provide oxygen while you are exercising. Always ask the prog...
I am afraid that I am too short of breath to attend. Should I still try?
Yes! The pulmonary rehabilitation team will develop a program especially for you, your disease and symptoms. You will have your own treatment plan...
Who can I call with questions about pulmonary rehabilitation?
IU Health offers pulmonary rehab programs around the state. Call the program where you want to attend, and the staff will be happy to answer your q...
How Does Pulmonary Rehabilitation Work?
A major symptom associated with chronic breathing disorders is shortness of breath. Many people actually avoid daily activities and exercise because it causes shortness of breath. Yet, limiting activity and avoiding exercise then causes people to be "out of shape," or deconditioned.
Why Does Pulmonary Rehabilitation Work?
Learning about your specific lung problem from a team of health care experts, will help empower you to be a better manager of your disease in collaboration with your own health care team. It should also help you learn to communicate your health issues more effectively with your provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, PR programs accept insurance if you have been given a prescription to attend it, but insurance coverage varies between different programs and insurance policies. Therefore, the out of pocket cost to you, including any co-pays, can vary greatly.
Partners
"Live Better with Pulmonary Rehabilitation" is a project originated by the American Thoracic Society and the Gawlicki Family Foundation to increase public awareness of pulmonary rehabilitation. Together, our mission is to inform and educate individuals with chronic lung disease about the potential benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation.
What is pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab)?
Pulmonary rehab is a program for people with chronic lung conditions. Examples include COPD and cystic fibrosis. Pulmonary rehab may also be done before and after lung surgery. You may need it if you have a condition that affects your breathing muscles, such as muscular dystrophy.
What should I expect during pulmonary rehab?
Your pulmonary rehab team will evaluate your needs during your first visit. The team will make a specific plan for your needs. Your plan may include any of the following:
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
2. Exercise is a crucial component of pulmonary rehabilitation
Although you may feel like exercise is impossible with a lung condition or you think your focus should be on resting, exercise is one of the most beneficial activities for lung and overall body function. You can even train the muscles that are responsible for breathing to make them stronger.
3. Program success depends on ongoing participation and progression
Like other physical therapy, one rehabilitation session isn’t enough to build lasting change in your body. Each session you attend and the exercises you do at home have an accumulative effect.
4. You can feel better
Although chronic conditions like COPD and cystic fibrosis are irreversible, they don’t dictate an uncontrollable decline of health. You can take intentional steps to slow the progression and instead work toward improving your daily life, which is exactly what rehab equips you to do.
5. Not smoking makes rehabilitation more successful
Smoking is a major risk factor for lung disease and also complicates the condition once it appears. Smoking is the top cause of lung cancer and COPD deaths and the top cause of preventable disease and death in general all over the world.
6. You should see measurable results after rehabilitation
Your medical providers will take tests before, during, and after the program to assess your improvement. You’re always welcome to ask to see your test results and learn what they mean about your progress.
