Pulmonary physical therapy

People with COPD, cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis), asthma, a previous coronavirus infection, or after lung surgery experience daily symptoms that can severely limit quality of life.

The pulmonary physical therapist is trained to treat and guide people with acute or chronic lung complaints and can be a valuable addition to your physician's treatment. The pulmonary physical therapist sees many patients with COPD, asthma and other lung conditions.

Pulmonary physical therapy treatment

Often a patient has already visited the general practitioner or pulmonologist and additional exercise testing has been done to assess lung function. The treatment is adjusted accordingly and aims to improve endurance and reduce shortness of breath. This is done in part by training strength and conditioning.

In addition, you may also be taught a different breathing technique or relaxation exercises , and any accompanying psychological problems are discussed. Here you learn, for example, how to cough up mucus and how to distribute your energy throughout the day. It is also important that you live a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy, be sufficiently active, and take your medication on time.

Treatment can take place in groups or individually. Everyone trains at their own level, but in groups, experiences and tips can be exchanged on how to deal with the consequences of the lung condition.

Where does a pulmonary physical therapist work?

The pulmonary physical therapist can be found in private practices, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. There they work together with the pulmonologist or general practitioner.

Find a pulmonary physical therapist

Pulmonary physical therapy is a specialization that is not available in every practice. Therefore, enter your ZIP code here to find a practice with expert pulmonary physical therapists on staff.