Breathing Exercises

There are basically 5 exercises which a Physiotherapist teach you in a hospital setup. Before surgery or after surgery.
They are as follows.
1. Deep breathing 1 ( Abdominal)
2. Deep breathing 2 ( Thoracic/ Chest)
3. Deep breathing 3 ( Side of ribs)
4. Chest expansion 1 (Arms up & down)
5. Chest expansion 2 (Arms stretch it out & In)

1. Deep breathing exercises 1 (Abdominal)

Patient's position : Sitting upright with back support & if possible neck support.
Therapist Position & instruction: Therapist perform the activity first to make patient understand the exercises. Place your both palms of hands on your stomach near to your belly button. Take a deep breath from your nose hold it for 3 sec approximately & release through mouth for 6 secs. 1:2 ration inhalation & exhalation. While exhalation press your abdomen gently with your both palms. (it helps lungs to take out maximum air out) Perform same activity for 10 times.
Note: Avoid doing neck movements. (perform in front of mirror for best feedback)

2. Deep breathing exercises 2 (Thoracic/ Chest)

Patient's position : Sitting upright with back support & if possible neck support.
Therapist Position & instruction: Therapist perform the activity first to make patient understand the exercises. Place your both palms of hands on your chest. Take a deep breath from your nose hold it for 3 sec approximately & release through mouth for 6 secs. 1:2 ration inhalation & exhalation. While exhalation press your chest wall gently with your both palms. (it helps lungs for opening)
Note: Avoid doing neck movements. (perform in front of mirror for best feedback)

3. Deep breathing exercises 3 (Ribs/ Side ways)

Patient's position : Sitting upright with back support & if possible neck support.
Therapist Position & instruction: Therapist perform the activity first to make patient understand the exercises. Place your both palms of hands on your lower ribs side of your trunk. Take a deep breath from your nose hold it for 3 sec approximately & release through mouth for 6 secs. 1:2 ration inhalation & exhalation. While exhalation press your lower part of ribs gently with your both palms. (it helps lungs to expand & contract) Perform same activity for 10 times.
Note: Avoid doing neck movements. (perform in front of mirror for best feedback)

4. Chest expansion exercise 1. (arms up & down)

Patient's position : Sitting upright with back support.
Therapist Position & instruction: Therapist perform the activity first to make patient understand the exercises. Keep both hands stretched out maximum near t your abdomen. Take deep breath from your nose, while taking deep breath lift/move your both arms up & stretch it maximum. (it helps extending or chest wall /muscle expansion) with the 1:2 ration of inhalation & exhalation. Perform same activity for 10 times.
Note: Avoid doing neck movements. (perform in front of mirror for best feedback)

5. Chest expansion exercise 2. (arms side ways)

Patient's position : Sitting upright with back support.
Therapist Position & instruction: Therapist perform the activity first to make patient understand the exercises. Keep both hands stretched out maximum near t your abdomen. Take deep breath from your nose, while taking deep breath lift/move your both arms to side & stretch it maximum. (it helps extending or chest wall /muscle expansion) with the 1:2 ration of inhalation & exhalation. Perform same activity for 10 times.
Note: Avoid doing neck movements. (perform in front of mirror for best feedback)

Dr. Omkar P Padhye (PT)

Mpth-Mss, D.hypn
Former Physiotherapist Breach Candy Hospital Mumbai
Founder PhysioFeel
Co-founder QHM
Head Youtube channel "PhysioFeel"
Clinic Branches - Kandivali, Goregaon
Mob: +919987134887
E.mail: padhye_omkar@rediffmail.com. omkarphysio@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dromkarpadhye
E-blog: http://physiosaviour.blogspot.in/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/home?trk=nav_responsive_tab_home
Web site: http://dromkar-pt.strikingly.com/