What is Pulmonary Rehab?
Lee Health Pulmonary Rehab Therapist Kathi Robinson said there are a variety of reasons why patients get sent her way. “There are many pulmonary problems, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and many other things.”
Patients typically come twice a week, for two-hour sessions, for 5 to 9 weeks. “When you become more short of breath, you’re much less capable of doing certain activities, and over the time, over the years you do less and less. That spiral is the less you do, the less you capable of doing. We just want to reverse that process. Start teaching breathing techniques, how to pace themselves, manage their medication’s, use their oxygen so they can start exercising,” said Robinson.
Getting off oxygen was one of Linda Comeau’s main goals after a car accident sent her to rehab. “You’re monitored the whole time you’re here. “They are checking your oxygen levels your heart rate, your pulse,” said Cameau. “After five lessons or classes, I’m able to do or exercise machine with no oxygen, which is wonderful.”
Robinson said it’s all about stepping it up, little by little. “Building them up slowly so they use their oxygen and medication more efficiently, and then they get stronger so the spiral starts upward. The more they do the more they can do,” said Robinson. They also teach the importance of proper nutrition, sleep, and stress management.
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