Complex of exercises, LFK in chronic and obstructive bronchitis

Exercises for bronchitis are an auxiliary method of treatment, they are designed to speed up the treatment, charge with energy, restore the body after the illness. Does breathing exercises really contribute to this, and how?

Exercises for bronchitis to remove phlegm

The inflammatory process leads to an increase in the amount of mucus, it becomes viscous, difficult to remove and begins to accumulate in the bronchi. This leads to discomfort, increased cough reflex, deterioration of health. If the sputum is not removed, it becomes infected, then the process worsens due to intoxication. Treatment of bronchitis is impossible without eliminating these pathological secretions.

Exercises for bronchitis to remove phlegm achieve the set goals if the patient adheres to correct breathing. It consists of alternating strong inhalations and smooth exhalations. The first are done alternately through the nose and mouth, the second - only through the mouth.

• The easiest exercise to help stop coughing and remove bronchial secretions is done like this: holding your hands behind your back, inhale deeply, hold the air, then exhale forcefully through your lips like a "tube". At the same time, you should slowly lean forward.

For untreated bronchitis, the Streltsova method is useful, with an emphasis on the abdominal muscles, or yoga; more details on these methods are given below. There is also a simple method by Kuznetsov, based on regular physical exercises performed at an accelerated pace, with deep inhalations and strong exhalations.

It should be remembered that, in addition to exercise, other methods of removing excess mucus are used for bronchitis. In particular, folk remedies are popular: inhalation of steam and expectorants, herbal teas, milk with honey and soda, etc.

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Exercises for bronchitis in adults

Various types of exercises for bronchitis treat the pathology, increase the functional capabilities of the organ, restore normal breathing, and ensure coordination of the muscles involved in the breathing process, in particular, the diaphragm.

With bronchitis, it is important to get rid of excess phlegm. The evacuation process is facilitated by exercises with an extended exhalation and diaphragmatic breathing ("belly"). The system of exercises for bronchitis in adults often includes movements that imitate work, sports, games, and dancing.

• Exhalation with resistance: after inhaling strongly, exhale slowly (up to 15 minutes) through a tube or hose into a container of water. Repeat several times daily. It is allowed to perform at any phase of the pathological process, including during remission and exacerbation.
• Diaphragmatic breathing: lying on your back, count to three; during this time, inhale powerfully, engaging the abdominal muscles. On "4" - exhale with maximum abdominal protrusion. Then cough dully. Can be performed in a sitting position, while running or walking.
• Squeezing: lying down (or sitting), pull your legs up to your chest, hold your shins with your hands. The action follows the pattern “intensive exhalation – diaphragmatic inhalation – starting position – cough”.
• Hugging your shoulders: this way we force the exhalation. In a shoulder-width position with spread fingers we hug ourselves forcefully, hitting our palms on our shoulder blades. Exhale loudly.
• Chop wood: standing on your toes, with your fingers interlaced, move sharply upwards, imitating a woodcutter's blow, vigorously release air from your lungs and return to the previous position.
• Downhill skiing: place your feet as if on a ski track. Pull yourself up on your toes, bend over and stretch your hands to imaginary poles. On “1” squat down with a forward bend to touch your legs to your stomach; hands down behind you, start exhaling. On “2, 3” in the same pose, springily move your legs and finish exhaling. Return to the starting pose while inhaling with your stomach.
• Hit the shoulder blades: raise your arms, stretching and bending on your toes. Lower yourself, lean forward. With an energetic swing, cross your arms in front of your body and hit the shoulder blades, accompanying the action with a sharp exhalation. Repeat the gestures, hitting and continuing to exhale. Move to the initial pose during a diaphragmatic inhalation.

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Exercises for bronchitis in children

The peculiarity of the course is that the young organism has a harder time coping with phlegm, so recovery from bronchitis is delayed. Exercises for bronchitis in children, as a safe method, are prescribed after the temperature has normalized and the body's condition has improved. It is advisable to combine exercises with drug therapy.

If a doctor recommends exercises for bronchitis, they start with static ones, gradually move on to dynamic ones, then to general strengthening ones. In the chronic form of the disease, it is necessary to strengthen the muscles. For delicate coughing, drainage exercises are included. It is advisable to exercise in a group, under the guidance of a physical therapy specialist, but if this is not possible, exercise at home.

Small children require a special approach. It is recommended to do exercises in the form of a game with them. For example, they will like to inflate balloons, blow soap bubbles or blow on a paper boat floating in a basin. For a child, 10-minute exercises are enough to saturate the lungs with oxygen sufficiently, and the muscles gradually strengthen. You can finish the exercises for bronchitis with children by massaging the chest - front and back.

Yoga gymnastics offers several options for young patients under interesting names: “crane”, “bug”, “flight”.

• The "crane" is performed five times: on the inhale, straight arms rise up, on the exhale, they fall. At the same time, a drawn-out "oo" is emitted.
• The "Bug" is achieved by sitting in the position of hands on the waist, then inhaling, turning the body to the right with the arm extended back.
• "Flight" is performed while running. The arm flaps imitate the wings of a bird in flight. The run slows down, turning into a calm walk. It is advisable to repeat five times.

The humming and hissing sounds produced by children during such activities will increase their effectiveness: breathing will become clear, the lungs will be freed from excess mucus secretions formed as a result of bronchitis.

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A set of exercises for bronchitis

A set of exercises for bronchitis performs the following tasks:

• reduces inflammation in the bronchi;
• improves expectoration;
• restores the organ's drainage capacity;
• prevents complications;
• increases hemoglobin levels;
• strengthens the immune system.

One of the options includes the following movements:

1. Lying on your back, inhale and raise your arms extended along your body behind your head. Exhale and return to the previous position.
2. In the same pose, we put one hand behind the head, the other lies along the body. During an arbitrary breathing rhythm, we quickly change the position of the hands.
3. We do a "bicycle" with our legs until they get tired.
4. Position on the stomach, arms along the body. On inhalation - maximum head lift without using the arms, on exhalation - starting position.
5. Breathing freely, we reach out with our hands to an imaginary object.
6. Lying on your side in a semi-bent position, pull your arm up, straightening your spine. As you exhale, turn around and repeat the movement on the other side.

To begin with, 5-7 repetitions are enough, gradually increasing the number to 12-14. And so on daily, until complete recovery.

Exercises for bronchitis are not performed in the acute period, at high temperature, tendency to bleeding, malignant tumors. In case of chronic course, complex exercises are recommended in courses, according to the doctor's instructions.

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Breathing exercises for bronchitis

Breathing exercises for bronchitis are based on the sequence of inhalations and exhalations of varying intensity. They are performed in three stages: introductory, main, final.

• The preparatory one consists of 15 nasal, then oral inhalations and exhalations. It is performed three times, with a 5-second break. Then follows a light oral inhalation/exhalation.

With a cough reflex, it is necessary to facilitate the discharge of mucus. To do this, do the following: relax the neck muscles, lower the head; press with your palms on the stomach on both sides of the navel, coughing into the floor.

• The main stage consists of several exercises accompanied by breathing movements.

1. Pull-up: inhale sharply through your nose, pull yourself up on your toes, arms up. As you lower yourself, exhale through your mouth with the sound "oo-oo-oo". Repeat 5 times.
2. Steps in place with arms spread apart. Inhale through the nose when going up, exhale when going down. And so on for two minutes, keeping the rhythm of steps and breathing.
3. Sitting in the lotus position, inhale and raise your clenched fists. Exhale slowly, making the sound "h-h-h" (6 times).
4. In a sitting position, stretch out your bent legs, arms to the sides. Inhale normally, exhale through the lips: "f-f-f". As you exhale, lower your arms.
5. Standing with your legs apart, swing your arms back and forth. Inhale through your mouth, often, exhale through your nose.
6. Feet together, inhale with your right hand up, left hand to the side. Slowly exhale, change the position of your hands.

• The final movement is repeated six times.

Slow bends while standing, with arms down, inhaling through the nose. After the initial position, bend to the opposite side, exhale calmly.

Exercises for bronchitis are available to everyone. The main condition is to do them systematically, daily for several weeks. However, there are contraindications. In particular, such gymnastics is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as for hypertensive patients, people with high myopia and glaucoma, after a heart attack, and endocrine pathologies.

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Physical therapy exercises for bronchitis

Therapeutic physical training is useful for people of different ages. Classes stimulate metabolism, activate the heart and digestion, and strengthen muscles. Children are especially interested in therapeutic physical training, as it resembles an active game and promotes the activity that everyone loves at this age.

Therapeutic exercises are prescribed for various diseases: from neuroses to diabetes. It is also necessary to pay attention to contraindications, which are often short-term, but still exist.

Physical therapy exercises for bronchitis are recommended as an auxiliary method, if the diagnosis includes the words "chronic" or "obstructive". It is important to breathe correctly during exercises. Start from a lying position, then dynamic breathing is possible.

It is important to emphasize that exercise therapy should only be started after a doctor's prescription, if he or she deems such exercises useful. They usually begin on the second or third day after starting to take antibiotics. Therapeutic exercises for bronchitis have the following effects:

• improving gas exchange;
• activation of secretion of sputum mucus;
• cough attenuation;
• stimulation of blood circulation in the pleura;
• strengthening the muscles involved in breathing;
• improvement of lung tissue;
• increasing the overall tone of the body.

In addition, such physical exercise serves to prevent atrophy and sclerotic phenomena in the bronchial walls.

Exercise therapy complexes have been developed for young patients, in particular, up to 3 and up to 6 years of age. They are performed under the supervision of a specialist, if possible – in the presence of mothers.

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Physical exercises for bronchitis

When prescribing physical exercises for bronchitis, the doctor sets the main task - to reduce the intensity of inflammation and clear them of mucus and foreign accumulations. In addition, exercises for bronchitis stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, increase immune forces and the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Exercises performed according to different methods are indicated for acute and chronic forms of bronchitis, they relieve inflammation and strengthen the body as a whole.

The main condition is the patient's persistence and regularity of the exercises. As a rule, the course lasts three weeks, and you need to exercise at least twice a day. Breathing movements are done softly, in a half-whisper, through your teeth.

Exhaling through the mouth makes you want to cough, because the phlegm rises upward. So, experts do not advise coughing hard in such cases, otherwise you can damage the vocal cords or provoke bleeding.

To avoid overdrying your throat, you should alternate nasal and throat breathing. Daily exercises strengthen the diaphragm, which is also responsible for the normal functioning of the bronchi and the respiratory system as a whole.

It has been noted that minimal physical activity in the form of special exercises reduces headaches and even lowers the temperature. Before starting the exercises, it is recommended to take expectorants that thin the phlegm. Less viscous liquid is easier to evacuate from the bronchial lumens, thus increasing the effectiveness of the exercises. It is especially important for patients with chronic bronchitis to cough up their phlegm beforehand. It is advisable not to strain too much.

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Strelnikova exercises for bronchitis

A. Strelnikova, singer and vocal teacher, developed a unique breathing system based on her own professional observations. In the process of working with singers, she came to the conclusion that many diseases are associated with the fact that people do not know how to breathe correctly. What does "correctly" mean in her understanding? Correctly means breathing in such a way as to eliminate air stagnation in the lungs, saturate the blood with oxygen and hemoglobin, reduce inflammation, and normalize the functioning of the respiratory organs and diaphragm.

Strelnikova's exercises for bronchitis are prescribed in parallel with other treatment methods. Daily exercises stimulate coughing and elimination of excess secretions from the bronchi. It is essential to take sharp, short nasal breaths, which promote positive changes in the blood and normalize cardiac activity.

Exercises for bronchitis must be performed twice a day for two to three weeks. Start with 16 nasal inhalations in a row, followed by 16 oral ones. And so three approaches, with a 5-second "breather". The main exercises are "pump", "hug your shoulders", "eights".

• "Pump" is performed from a slope, noisily inhaling air, imitating smelling flowers. Exhale without tension, in a slightly elevated position of the body. After 8 breaths - a short rest.
• "Embrace your shoulders" starts standing or sitting, with your arms bent and raised. As you inhale, embrace yourself, as you exhale, spread your arms. Repeat 16 times, with nasal and oral inhalations.
• "Eights" are considered an additional exercise. They are done by bending forward. After a quick inhale through the nose, do not exhale, but count out loud to eight several times. This method achieves active evacuation of the bronchial contents.

Therapeutic gymnastics should be started after consultation with a doctor. It is estimated that it takes about half an hour to complete.

Drainage exercises for bronchitis

Positional (second name - postural) drainage is recommended for chronic forms, including purulent, especially in cases where the mucus is very viscous and the cough reflex is reduced. Drainage is also prescribed after endotracheal or aerosol procedures.

Drainage exercises for bronchitis are done at least twice a day. It is recommended to use bronchodilators and expectorants, linden tea beforehand. Half an hour later, the patient takes poses that maximally support the natural removal of sputum under the influence of gravity. Different positions help the fluid flow from individual segments to those places where it is eliminated by coughing.

In each pose, the patient first takes several slow, deep breaths through the nose, exhaling through pursed lips. After this, taking a slow, deep breath, coughs slightly (a few coughs three times will be enough).

To achieve the best effect, exercises for bronchitis of this kind are combined with massaging pressure with the hands on the chest area.

Drainage exercises are prohibited in case of pneumothorax, bloody spitting, or if shortness of breath or suffocation occurs during the procedure.

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Yoga for bronchitis

As is known, yoga is based on the desire to achieve complete harmony of the physical and spiritual principles. Yoga for bronchitis is considered an effective auxiliary method that promotes a faster recovery.

Such exercises for bronchitis relieve stress and eliminate excess weight, strengthen muscles, improve vitality and mood. Thanks to them, the bronchi are cleared, residual effects disappear, and a person recovers faster. The following yoga techniques are recommended:

• Simha Mudra. Sitting or standing, take a deep breath and stick your tongue out as far as possible towards your chin. In this position, exhale deeply. Then bow your head to your chest and look at the area between your eyebrows. After a few seconds, return to the original pose.
• Jih-va-bandhu. Press the tongue to the palate and stretch it upwards, and the lower jaw forward, keeping the mouth closed. Start with three times, then increase to six.
• Dynamic breathing. Sitting upright, keep your hands on your knees, palms down. Do yoga breathing several times and then breathe through your nose. As you inhale, arch your chest, pushing out your ribs and lowering your shoulders. As you exhale, round your back and lower your head. Speed up the pace all the time.
• Wave. Sitting with a straight back and hands on your knees, inhale, arching your back. At this time, your arms are pulled back, your chest is up, your head is back. When exhaling, your shoulders and pelvis are pulled back, and your bent elbows make wave-like movements. The wave is repeated up to 10 times.

Exercises for acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is a diffuse inflammation of the inner lining of the entire tracheobronchial tree. When doing exercises for acute bronchitis, as in other cases, it is necessary to take into account the patient's well-being and general condition, and calculate physical strength. Extra efforts do not produce results, on the contrary, they can cause dissatisfaction and mistrust of the effectiveness of exercises for bronchitis.

In acute cases of the disease, exercises are designed to speed up recovery. They begin soon after the start of the antibiotic course, no later than the second or third day. Combine various movements with rhythmic breathing. For warming up, use the "fist" movement. Quick, strong inhalations are combined with clenching of the fists, light exhalations - with straightening. The legs are always in the classic position - shoulder-width apart.

Then follow the basic exercises, imitating typical movements of people and animals. The names help to remember the sequence and correct execution.

• "Load Drop": hands on the waist, clenched into fists, on inhalation unclench the fists and forcefully "throw" them down, spreading the fingers. Exhale through slightly unclenched lips. It is advisable to do 12 approaches of 8 breathing movements.
• "Pumping the ball": standing with relaxed arms, inhale vigorously through the nose, lean forward, lower the head, hang the arms. Exhale accompanied by a return to the original position. The number of repetitions is the same as in the previous case.
• "The Cat Dance" actually looks like a cat stalking its prey. The starting position is similar. Inhale, bend your arms slightly, squeeze your fingers. Then squat, alternately turning your body in both directions. Exhale when returning.

There are also other combinations of exercises for acute bronchitis. Their action is aimed at eliminating stagnation of bronchial mucus, restoring the mucous membrane and its protective properties, relieving the inflammatory process and cleansing from microflora.

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Exercises for chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammation with relapses, often arising as a result of untreated acute. As an independent disease, it is formed under the influence of harmful volatile components at work or at home.

Exercises for chronic bronchitis are performed in courses, usually two weeks long, with the same or longer intervals. Their task is to prevent the process from worsening.

An example of exercises for bronchitis, especially useful for the female body.

• Pull up on your toes, arms up, with deep breaths through your nose. Exhale through your mouth with the sound "uh-h-h", returning to the starting position (4-5 times).
• Legs apart, hands near the hips. On a nasal inhale, arms to the sides, on a noisy oral exhale, clap on the hips (5 – 6).
• Take calm steps in place, on one count – arms out to the sides, inhale through the nose; on the next count – loud exhalation “goo-oo-oo”, lowering the arms.
• Sit cross-legged with clenched fists. Exhale through a tightly clenched mouth with a drawn-out “p-f-f” (5 – 6).
• Standing with your legs apart and your arms down, breathe frequently through your nose and wave your arms forward/backward (8 – 9).
• In a sitting position, stretch your legs. Inhale through your mouth, raising your arms to the sides, lowering them, exhaling through clenched lips with the sound "s-s-s" (3 - 4).
• In a standing position, raise your right hand and move your left hand to the side. Inhale through your nose and change hands. Exhale slowly with the sound "r-r-r" (5 – 6).
• Legs together, arms down. Inhaling through the nose, bend the body to the side. As you exhale, slide your arms along the body, making the sound "s-s-s" (6-8 times).
• In a sitting position, place your hand on your chest, the other on your stomach, inhale through your mouth. Exhale with your head down and stomach out, to the sound of "f-f-f" (3-4).

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Exercises for obstructive bronchitis

If inflammation of the bronchi is accompanied by obstructive syndrome, it means that the lumens of the bronchi are narrowed. This occurs due to swelling of the mucous membrane and spasm of the muscles, which are contained in the bronchial walls in the form of fibers. Treatment is to make the sputum more liquid and evacuate it from the inside faster. At the same time, they fight the cause of the disease, that is, pathogenic microorganisms.

Exercises for obstructive bronchitis differ in the exercises themselves and the authorship of the methods, but all pursue the same goal and achieve the same results. Exercises for bronchitis are useful for both adults and children of different ages.

One of the methods of breathing exercises for obstructive bronchitis is named after the physiologist K. Buteyko. The scientist believed that many pathologies are caused by the so-called hyperventilation of the lungs. To eliminate it, the doctor proposed a method of shallow breathing and long pauses between breaths. Such exercises are useful for obstructive bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and also for the prevention of exacerbation of the chronic process.

Buteyko recommended doing the exercises at least three times daily, it is permissible to combine them with regular physical exercise. There are only three exercises.

• Hold your breath for as long as possible, using short shallow breaths to hold it longer.
• While walking, hold your breath until you feel a lack of oxygen, then breathe normally and then hold your breath again.
• Breathe “barely”, increasing the duration of the exercise from three to 10 minutes.

A significant advantage of the method is that it can be followed at any time and in any place. Performing these exercises significantly reduces the need for pharmaceuticals, although, of course, does not replace them at all. Success is in a reasonable combination of both methods of treatment.

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Exercises for recovery after bronchitis

Exercises for recovery after bronchitis, depending on the nature of the inflammation, begin at different periods:

• in acute cases – after acute symptoms have subsided;
• in chronic cases – after an exacerbation.

Correctly selected exercises for bronchitis are aimed at increasing the resistance of the respiratory system, the body's resistance to colds of various etiologies. In addition, rehabilitation measures improve the movement of blood and lymph, relieve inflammation, restore the drainage properties of the bronchial tree and the mechanism of the respiratory process.

In case of purulent phenomena, emphasis is placed on drainage gymnastics, in case of obstructive ones - on sound exercises, supplemented by breathing exercises. An important place is given to chest massage, which facilitates breathing, helps to remove phlegm faster.

During such exercises, breathing is combined with movements. Inhalation should help to increase the size of the chest, and exhalation should help to reduce its volume.

In chronic conditions, it is necessary to involve the muscles of the chest and upper limbs. This activates blood circulation, helping to eliminate inflammation in the respiratory organs. Almost any of the methods given in this article meets these objectives. But since medicine treats not the disease, but the patient, we should not forget about the individuality of each organism and that exercises for bronchitis in each case should be selected by a specialist.

Unfortunately, exercises for bronchitis are undeservedly little in demand. Most patients prefer pharmacy drugs, occasionally - inhalations or folk remedies. If exercises are prescribed as an additional therapy, then it is undesirable to refuse. They really have a beneficial effect on both the entire body and its problem area, helping to recover faster and get sick less often in the future.