Introduction-
What is pursed-lip breathing?
Pursed-lip breathing is a simple breathing technique. It consists of inhaling through the nose and also exhaling through the mouth. Moreover,This technique is performed with pursued lips.
Importance of pursed lip breathing-
Pursed-lips breathing is an effective technique to
- facilitates gaseous exchange
- Increase the volume of expired air
- Limit dynamic hyperinflation
- Decrease the respiratory rate
- Reduces minute ventilation
- minimises the work of breathing
- Relieve dyspnea
- Helps in increasing exercise tolerance
Pulmonary mechanisms-
Pursed-lip breathing allows the control of oxygenation at a slow and thus a controlled flow. This technique creates a back pressure producing a small amount of positive end-expiratory pressure.
therefore, The positive pressure created opposes the forces exerted on the airways. This thus prevents hypercapnia and relieves dyspnea.
The proper technique to perform pursed lip breathing-
- Start with engaging yourself in a comfortable position
- inhale slowly through the nose.
- A hand can be placed on abdominal muscles for bio feedback, either the patients hand or the therapist’s hand can be placed.
- Now exhale gently through the mouth via pursed lips. A verbal cue such as try to blow a candle gently can be given One should avoid excessive use of the abdominal muscles.
- Now relax
- Perform only 3-4 breaths at a time to prevent hyperventilation
Clinical significance-
A lot of pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation cases involve a clinical symptom of dyspnea. Reduced exercise tolerance and cardiopulmonary endurance is a finding in most adults with or without comorbidities. PLB is a great exercise to reduce dyspnea and improve tolerance. If performed with the correct technique, it provides numerous benefits to patients. PLB is also helpful for post covid rehab and for post-surgical rehab population.
Also read- https://vcurehealthcare.com/back-pain-radiating-to-leg-read-about-sciatica/
