Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
What is Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy?
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy prevents heart and lung diseases and aids in the rehabilitation of a person affected by these illnesses.
Physical inactivity is one of the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Physiotherapy through physical activity plays an important role in preventing heart disease and restore function after heart disease. A well planned and supervised exercise regimen can help boost your heart health after heart problems, such as heart attack, angioplasty, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery etc.
Similarly, illnesses of the respiratory system such as Asthma, Bronchiectasis, Emphysema etc causes shortness of breath, cough, expectoration, reduced lung capacity, tiredness, incapacity to work etc. Exercises to improve lung function, rib-cage mobility, breathing techniques, postures to loosen and drain lung secretions, graded exercises etc improves the lung capacity and the endurance to do work.
Exercise program is tailored as per the person’s age, existing cardiovascular parameters and endurance with the goal of returning the person back to his routine activities at home and outdoors so that he/she can return back to Community life.
In what ways does cardiorespiratory physiotherapy benefit?
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy boosts heart health, increases lung capacity, improves Cardiovascular endurance restoring your independence.
Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy:
- Helps loosen and drain lung secretions
- Ease’s coughing
- Helps manage cough and shortness of breath
- Increases your lung capacity
- Improves ribcage mobility
- Improves exercise levels
- Improves cardiovascular endurance and aerobic fitness
- Improves maximal Oxygen consumption
- Improves work capacity
- Reduces anxiety
- Improves quality of life
Exercise program is tailored as per your age and existing Cardiovascular parameters and endurance with the goal of returning the patient back to his routine activities at home and outdoors so that he/she can return back to Community life.
Common conditions encountered for cardiorespiratory physiotherapy:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Emphysema
- Lobectomy
- Following orthopaedic, neurology, cardiac, abdominal etc surgery
- Patient in Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- Myocardial Infarction
- Cardiac rehab post coronary artery bypass surgery, Angioplasty, myocardial infarction etc.
- Lymphedema
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Persons confined to the bed
… and much more!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does a Physiotherapist plan a treatment?
A Physiotherapist’s approach to treatment is to treat a ‘person’ rather than “just a body part”.
A Physiotherapist will assess you and make a need-based personalised treatment plan depending on your medical diagnosis, health condition, body mechanics , your existing functions, activities and functional needs at home, workplace and outdoors. The treatment plan includes scientific and evidence-based techniques and a home exercise program which will be customised as per your unique situation, needs and goals.
Is a Doctor's prescription needed prior to Physiotherapy?
Very often Doctors refer the patients for Physiotherapy. Prescription is necessary, especially for post Stroke, Myocardial infarctions, inflammatory disorder, infections, post operative cases, fractures etc. to ensure that the patient is medically stable and can be mobilised.
In case the patient consults a Physiotherapist directly, the Physiotherapist will do a thorough physical examination, diagnosis and guide the patient, and refer to the appropriate medical speciality as necessary. A Physiotherapist is part of the Medical team. They work closely with the Doctors.
Ensure to carry your prior investigations, medical records, discharge summary etc. with you for your consultation.
What is the duration of each session?
This will depend on the type of your health condition. Some may take as less as 15 minutes to some up to 45 min and sometimes even longer for patients with multiple issues.
How many sessions/days of Physiotherapy will I need to take?
This will depend on your health condition. A simple sprain of muscle spasm may be treated in 1-2 sessions whereas conditions like post fractures/ surgery, Stroke, spinal cord injury, respiratory cases may require many more sessions. Your Physiotherapist will be able to guide you.
However, please remember that there will be certain exercises, change of work style habits, Do’s and Dont’s that your Physiotherapist will advise you which you have to carry out routinely for prevention and recurrence of symptoms.