Physical therapy is part of the process of keeping up one's strength, endurance, and flexibility. If muscles are not used, they shorten and tighten, making joint motion painful.
What a Physical Therapist Does
A physical therapist treats a person to relieve pain, build up and restore muscle function, and maintain the best possible performance. The therapist does this by using physical means such as active and passive exercise, massage, heat, water, and electricity.
After an evaluation that includes a review of the person in your care's medical records, the physical therapist will evaluate the person's level of shortness of breath during different activities and will then develop a personalized program to improve the care recipient's strength and stamina. Broadly speaking, a physical therapist:
- sets up the goals of treatment with patient and family
- shows how to use special equipment
- instructs in routine daily functions
- teaches safe ways to move
- sets up and teaches an exercise
- coordinates breathing with exercise
- teaches diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing
What a Physical Therapist Determines
Depending on a person's physical condition, a therapist may work on range-of-motion exercises, correct body positions when resting, suggest devices to help the person in your care, and other simple ways to improve daily functions.
A physical therapist checks things that can affect a person's daily activities:
- the person's attitude toward his situation
- how well he can move his muscles and joints (range of motion)
- his ability to see, smell, hear, and feel
- what he can do on his own and what he needs to learn
- his equipment needs, now and in the future
- what can be improved in the home to make moving around safer and more comfortable
- who can and will help to give support
Range-of-Motion (ROM) Exercises
The purpose of range-of-motion exercises is to relieve pain, maintain normal body alignment (positions), help prevent skin swelling and breakdown, and promote bone
formation. A ROM exercise program should be started before deformities develop. Here are some things to do when you are asked to help with exercises at home:
- Communicate what you are doing.
- Use the flats of both hands, not the fingertips, to hold a body part.
- Take each movement only as far as the joint will go into a comfortable stretch. Mild discomfort is okay, but it should go away quickly. Do each 3 to 5 times.
- Use slow steady movements to help relax muscles and increase joint range. Exercise very gently.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Pulmonary Rehab)
The importance of exercise in maintaining physical and emotional health cannot be stressed enough. Physical therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and simple home exercise programs can promote increased stamina, decreased shortness of breath, and well-being. Maintaining physical activity also improves memory and mental functioning.
While physical activity in people with COPD does not necessarily improve lung function, it can help people with lung disease to do more with the lung function they have. One of the best and safest ways to exercise is to attend a local pulmonary rehab program. For the person with COPD, safety is very important. A pulmonary rehab program trains the person in your care in the safest and most appropriate exercises for his condition and monitors such things as oxygen saturation so that, if supplemental oxygen is necessary, the correct flows for each exercise program can be used. This initial evaluation and training are often covered by insurance. Patient groups are working hard to require this coverage. Once the exercise program is set up, most pulmonary rehab centers will allow continued use of the exercise equipment for a small fee. Some centers will even design a program for the care provider. For pulmonary rehab programs in your area call (866) 316-COPD (2673).
