Therapeutic breathing exercises for chronic obstructive and acute bronchitis in adults and children

In case of inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, doctors recommend their patients to do breathing exercises. They activate drainage processes in the bronchial tree, promote faster removal of accumulations of viscous secretion, eliminate cough and normalize breathing. Thanks to breathing exercises, atrophic changes in the bronchial mucosa slow down, its structure is normalized and restored, and lung ventilation improves.

To do breathing exercises you don't need a gym or any equipment, you don't even need to set aside time. Exercises to normalize breathing can be done at any time - while walking, during rest, lying in bed before going to sleep or waking up in the morning.

Indications for the procedure

It is advisable to choose exercises for training the respiratory system together with your doctor. It is recommended to start classes under the guidance of a specialist in therapeutic exercise, and when the exercises and technique for performing them are mastered, you can continue the classes on your own.

Chronic obstructive bronchitis is the most common respiratory disease. Obstruction (partial or complete obstruction of the bronchi) can also complicate acute bronchitis. In this case, expiratory dyspnea appears, the coordination of inhalation and exhalation is disrupted, which causes overstrain and fatigue of the respiratory muscles. Respiratory gymnastics for obstructive bronchitis includes exercises that help clear the bronchi of accumulated mucus, expand their lumen and restore the mucous membrane. The patient's persistence and regular performance of breathing exercises help improve the patency of the air flow and prevent the development of a number of possible complications (pneumonia, pleurisy, pulmonary emphysema).

Breathing exercises for chronic bronchitis are prescribed as part of a complex of therapeutic measures to strengthen the respiratory muscles; restore the drainage functions of the bronchial tree and improve ventilation of the lungs; normalize blood volume in the inflow system to the affected ventricle of the heart; eliminate (reduce) shortness of breath and improve the general condition of the patient.

Bronchitis is often complicated by pneumonia. In this case, provided that the patient's general condition is satisfactory and the temperature is subfebrile, breathing exercises can be recommended from the first days of treatment. Breathing exercises for bronchitis and pneumonia help to stimulate the inspiratory (regulating inhalation) and expiratory (regulating exhalation) sections of the respiratory center, improve the coordination of inhalation and exhalation, gas exchange and ventilation of the lungs. Performing breathing exercises creates an optimal background for drug therapy, has a beneficial effect on the overall tone of the patient's body and improves his psychological state, which, in turn, contributes to rapid recovery and involution of atrophic and degenerative changes in the bronchi and lung parenchyma.

Breathing exercises for acute bronchitis are prescribed on the second or third day of antibacterial therapy, when the patient's condition stabilizes and the temperature drops. During the first week of treatment, static breathing exercises are performed (if the patient is recommended bed rest), then they move on to dynamic ones in combination with massage and general strengthening therapeutic exercise. Breathing exercises are prescribed to reduce the inflammatory process, normalize the flow of blood and lymph in the vessels and capillaries of the respiratory system; restore normal drainage of air flow (conduction, warming, moisturizing and cleansing); improve immunity, prevent chronicity and complications.

Respiratory gymnastics is relevant for allergic bronchitis. In the case of a chronic form of the disease, its role is preventive - preventing complications, strengthening the body's defenses. Also, thanks to breathing exercises, the back and chest muscles are strengthened, more active tissue respiration occurs, which prevents the occurrence of shortness of breath. Allergy sufferers are recommended to master the K.P. Buteyko method, which allows you to stop attacks of allergic cough without the use of drugs and transfer the disease to a phase of long-term remission, practically - to recover.

Breathing exercises for tracheitis and bronchitis can transform a dry (barking) cough, typical for upper respiratory tract diseases, into a "wet" cough, facilitating the removal of sputum. At the same time, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is sanitized and the inflammatory process subsides much faster.

There are many techniques for performing exercises to correct breathing, almost all of them can be performed with bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. They are ineffective only in the case of organic disorders, and functional pathologies are subject to successful correction in a natural way, along the way, the state of the body as a whole is normalized.

Indications for respiratory gymnastics are bronchitis of all forms and various genesis, complicated by pneumonia, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Usually, breathing exercises are not contraindicated for pregnant women and hypertensive patients, they can be performed by people who have had a heart attack or stroke. They help get rid of neuroses, depression, chronic fatigue, headaches and other diseases. However, these methods also have a number of contraindications, mostly temporary, but a doctor's consultation should precede the start of classes.

Breathing exercises for bronchitis can be done with children from three to four years of age; there is no upper limit.

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Technique of breathing exercises for bronchitis

Breathing exercises for chronic bronchitis, proposed by different authors, differ somewhat in the technique of execution.

It is necessary to carefully study any proposed set of exercises, practice the breathing technique when performing it almost to the point of automatism and preferably with an instructor.

For example, when performing breathing exercises according to Strelnikova, the following recommendations are recommended:

1. the author recommends practicing, first of all, the inhalation - it should be active, short, comparable to clapping your hands; when doing it, you do not need to inhale a lot of air, "puff up", it should be natural;
2. inhale so that the nostrils close, and the shoulders should drop;

• one breath during the treatment of bronchitis is taken through the nose, the next one through the mouth, and so on in turn (when we inhale through the mouth, the nose is not involved and vice versa);
• exhalation occurs naturally and passively each time after inhalation, it is advisable to exhale through the mouth silently, without holding it, but also without stimulating it;
• The movements in this set of exercises are done while inhaling.

If there are no other recommendations, you can take this technique as a basis for performing various sets of breathing exercises.

Breathing exercises for bronchitis can relieve coughing fits without using medications. This is done as follows: during an attack, you need to take a deep breath and immediately exhale, then hold your breath for a while. This exercise can be repeated four or five times in a row, it also helps with allergic coughing fits.

In case of bronchial obstruction caused by their narrowing and accumulation of phlegm (obstruction), you can do such a simple exercise as exhalation with resistance. To do this, pour water into a bowl, saucepan or any other convenient container, take a cocktail straw and lower it into the water. Inhale deeply, exhale into the water through the straw. This exercise can be done several times a day, the duration of one session is about a quarter of an hour. Children also do it with pleasure and interest.

Waking up in the morning, without getting out of bed, with obstructive bronchitis, you can do an exercise on diaphragmatic breathing, which improves the discharge of sputum accumulated overnight. Remove pillows and blankets, lie on your back - inhale deeply and exhale sharply, while pulling in your stomach as much as possible, working the abdominal muscles. Then again inhale deeply with your stomach, feeling how it protrudes, after which, pulling in your stomach, cough several times.

Breathing exercises for bronchitis in adult patients may include simple exercises that primarily train inhalation; exhalation should be easy and involuntary:

• inhale through slightly pinched nostrils, exhaling through the mouth;
• inhale through the left nostril, holding the right one with your finger, exhale through the right, holding the left one, alternating the sides of inhalation and exhalation each time;
• inhale through pursed lips and exhale through your nose;
• inhale through the corners of your mouth, pressing your lips tightly together in the center;
• inhale through the right corner of your mouth, then through the left.

You can practice inhaling and exhaling by blowing up balloons or inflatable toys.

Strelnikova's breathing exercises for bronchitis are considered to be one of the most effective. This complex uses forced diaphragmatic inhalation, during which the lower lobe sections of the lungs are filled with air, gas exchange in the airways of the lungs is enhanced and, accordingly, the blood is saturated with oxygen. The air flow during inhalation tones the muscles of the entire respiratory system, and during involuntary exhalation, the vocal cords are massaged.

The exercises of this complex are designed so that almost all muscle groups of the body are involved in the work, as a result tissue oxygenation is activated, the mobility and performance of organs and systems are increased, impaired functions are restored, in particular, drainage, impaired with bronchitis. Involution of adhesive and degenerative processes, curvature of the sternum and spine occurs.

The development of a rapid, active nasal inhalation, which is basic for these exercises, restores normal nasal breathing in a fairly short time, and after three months of training using the Strelnikova method, a new dynamic breathing stereotype is developed and becomes habitual.

The use of exercises according to this method in the treatment of bronchitis eliminates bronchial obstruction, removes phlegm and pathogenic microflora, repairs the bronchial mucosa damaged by the atrophic process, and increases its protective properties.

Patients diagnosed with bronchitis should perform a full set of exercises twice a day for at least two or three weeks. A coughing fit that starts during the exercises is stopped as follows: bend your head without straining your neck muscles, place your hands on your stomach above and below your navel, pressing them from top to bottom each time you feel the urge to cough, and cough under your feet.

At first, cycles of four, eight or 16 breaths-movements are performed, with three to four second rest intervals between cycles. As many breaths-movements as the patient can handle are performed in a row, without causing fatigue and improving well-being. If shortness of breath or dizziness occurs, the patient should take a short break to rest and return to the interrupted exercise. The instructor-methodologist should control the correctness of the breathing exercises, at least at the initial stages of training.

Patients who feel unwell should first do the exercises lying down, making sure to complete the complex from start to finish, but reducing the number of repetitions and, thus, the time it takes to complete it.

The tempo of the movements resembles a military march, the count is a multiple of eight and is done only in the mind. Any starting position is suitable for most exercises, which allows taking into account the patient's condition and capabilities. Depending on this, the standard for performing each breathing etude, indicated below, is subject to adjustment.

When you have bronchitis, it is recommended to start exercising with a warm-up:

1. The patient takes any starting position that is convenient for him. He should straighten up, his arms, placed along the body and bent at the elbows, should remain in one position all the time. The back of the hands is turned towards the body. Quickly and noisily drawing in air, simultaneously clench the fists, unclenching them - exhale voluntarily.

After inhaling four times, it is recommended to take a break for a few seconds and continue. More resilient patients extend the exercise cycle to eight, 16 or 32 repetitions. The recommended number of cycles is 24×4 repetitions, 12×8 repetitions, 3×32 repetitions.

2. The position is similar - straighten up, press your fingers clenched into fists to your stomach at waist level. Quickly and noisily inhale air, and instantly push your clenched fingers away from you, unclenching and spreading your fingers. The shoulder muscles should be in tone, your arms should be straight. When you exhale involuntarily, your fingers are clenched into fists again and go to your waist (you don't need to raise your hands higher).

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 reps, 6×16 reps, 3×32 reps.

3. Standing at full height, straighten up. Hands are placed along the body, bent at the elbows at a right angle, legs are slightly apart (approximately the length of a foot) and during the performance stand on the full foot, without lifting off the floor. The etude is somewhat similar to the behavior of cats hunting birds.

Squat down slightly, quickly and noisily inhaling air, and turn to the right at once, making a grabbing motion with your hands. Exhale arbitrarily, straightening your legs, and repeat all the actions in mirror image – turning to the left side.

When turning, you do not need to move your arms far from your body, keep your back straight (only the upper part of the body turns to the waist).

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

4. Starting position – standing at full height or sitting on a chair: straighten up, arms hanging freely down, legs located at a distance from each other equal to, approximately, the length of the foot, the body slightly tilted forward. Sharply and noisily inhale air through the nose, at the same time – tilt the body down, as if pumping up a car tire, exhaling voluntarily – rise up. The neck muscles should be relaxed.

Patients with craniocerebral and spinal injuries, radiculitis, arterial, cerebral or ocular hypertension, osteochondrosis, urolithiasis, severe myopia are advised to bend over without fanaticism to the best of their ability.

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

5. This etude is considered the most effective in the complex. However, not all patients are recommended to start doing it from the first training sessions. When all other breathing etudes have been worked out, then they begin to learn this exercise (approximately a week after the start of training). People with myocardial ischemia, congenital anomalies in the development of the heart muscle and those with a history of myocardial infarction should be especially careful.

From any starting position: straighten up, place your arms bent at the elbows at shoulder level with your hands facing each other (letter T). Quickly and noisily inhale air through your nose, simultaneously sending your arms parallel to each other and hugging yourself by the shoulders. In this pose, one arm will be higher than the other, it does not matter which one ends up on top. In this task, the position of the arms should not be changed. The muscles of the arms are relaxed, in the hugging pose, the arms form a triangle. During a passive exhalation, they are not spread wide apart, and when they diverge, a square is formed.

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

6. This component is a combination of the two previous ones: stand up straight, arms hanging freely down, legs positioned at a distance from each other equal to approximately the length of a foot. Quickly and noisily inhale air, at the same time bend forward a little, hands reaching for knees, but do not lower them below their level. Exhale spontaneously, and immediately, slightly arching in the lower back, inhaling air with a short breath, simultaneously hug yourself by the shoulders. Repeat without stopping seven more times.

In case of injuries or osteochondrosis of the spine, displacement of discs between the vertebrae, when performing this task, the amplitude of movement in both directions is reduced by slight bends.

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

7. Straighten up, arms hanging freely down, legs are located at a distance from each other equal to, approximately, the length of the foot. Quickly and noisily inhale air through the nose, at the same time turn the head to the right shoulder, exhale and again, sharply and noisily inhale air, at the same time turn the head to the left shoulder. The movement from side to side is performed without stopping, the muscles of the neck are relaxed.

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

8. From the same position, quickly and noisily inhaling air, at the same time tilt your head to the right shoulder, voluntarily exhaling, then inhaling air in the same way - to the left. The shoulders are lowered and motionless. The head moves smoothly. Patients who have suffered from craniocerebral injuries, those suffering from hypertension of various origins, chronic headaches, cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis, epileptics do this with extreme caution.

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

9. It is done from the same starting position: quickly and noisily drawing in air, you need to look at your feet at the same time, quietly exhale through your mouth, then, in the same way drawing in air, at the same time raise your head to the ceiling. The movements are smooth, non-stop, the neck muscles are relaxed. The precautions are similar to the previous exercise.

If dizziness occurs while performing the seventh, eighth and ninth exercises, they are performed sitting, but the exercises are not stopped. Over time, the discomfort will pass.

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

10. Starting position – standing, step forward with your right leg. Distribute your body weight evenly on both legs. Transfer it to your right leg, and keep your body in a balanced position with your left leg, slightly bent. Quickly and noisily inhaling air, momentarily squat slightly on your right leg, exhale voluntarily through your mouth and at the same time transfer your body weight back to your left leg, which you straighten. The right leg is slightly bent at this point and touches the floor to maintain balance. Briefly inhale air through your nose and squat slightly on your left leg. The squats should be springy and shallow. Perform 32 breaths-movements without stopping, after which the position of the legs is changed.

Recommended number of cycles: 6×32 repetitions.

11. Standing at full height, straighten up, arms hanging freely down, legs located from each other at a distance equal to, approximately, the length of the foot. Step with the left leg with a high rise of the hip (to the level of the stomach), quickly and noisily drawing in air, at the same time squatting a little on the right leg. Starting position and natural exhalation through the mouth. Immediately step with the right leg also high, at the same time, sharply drawing in air through the nose, squatting on the left. Starting position and natural exhalation through the mouth. Keep the body straight all the time.

Each step can be accompanied by free swings of the arms from the elbow towards the waist at its level.

Patients with lower limb injuries, myocardial infarction, urolithiasis and congenital anomalies of the heart muscle, women in the third trimester of pregnancy should not bring the hip out when lifting to the level of the abdomen, it is enough to simply lift it. In the presence of pathological processes (varicose veins, thrombophlebitis) or traumatic injuries of the lower limbs, the starting position is sitting or lying on the back.

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

12. From the same position: quickly and noisily inhale air, at the same time, when stepping back with a swing, try to touch the heel of the right foot to the buttock on the same side, at the same time, squat a little on the left leg. Exhaling arbitrarily, return to the starting position and immediately repeat, stepping in the same way with the left leg.

Additionally, you can work with your arms, making counter swings with your hands to waist level.

Patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities (thrombi) need to consult a doctor regarding the possibility of performing this task.

Recommended number of cycles: 12×8 repetitions.

13. The final stage for bronchitis should be exercises #4 and #5 with alternating inhalation of air through the nose and mouth (16 nasal inhalations and without a break – the same number through the mouth). Then a three- to five-second break is taken for rest.

Recommended number of cycles: 3×32 repetitions.

This set of exercises can be used as therapeutic breathing exercises for bronchitis for children over three to four years old (when they are already able to repeat all the movements correctly after an adult).

It should be noted that for those beginning treatment using Strelnikova's method, there is a possibility of minor dizziness, which usually stops by the end of the workout. In case of severe dizziness, you need to perform the training complex in a sitting position, resting for five to ten seconds, taking a break after every four breaths-movements.

Having achieved a satisfactory therapeutic effect, there is no need to stop breathing exercises, since otherwise the duration of remission is not guaranteed.

Buteyko breathing exercises for bronchitis are a non-drug method that allows you to prevent and stop acute attacks, as well as get rid of chronic diseases. The method was originally developed to treat bronchial asthma. However, studies have shown that it can help with many other diseases, in particular, with bronchitis. Such breath-holding techniques allow you to stop coughing, eliminate respiratory allergic manifestations, respiratory failure and arrhythmia. Treatment using this method can be carried out both on adults and children, but it is necessary after examination as prescribed by a doctor and under the supervision of an instructor-methodologist who has the knowledge and skills to conduct breathing exercises.

The course of treatment must be preceded by testing (deep breathing test), the result of which is the conclusion that the disease is caused by deep breathing and it is possible to correct it using the method developed by K.P. Buteyko. Otherwise, the use of this method of treatment is not allowed. The test for the depth of breathing can be done independently as follows: prepare a stopwatch, sit comfortably, put your hands on your knees and straighten your back, take a normal breath, relax the abdominal muscles - the exhalation will occur involuntarily. Hold your breath at once and note the stopwatch data. While holding your breath, do not watch the seconds run, it is better to concentrate on something else or close your eyes. Do not breathe until the moment when the diaphragm moves and the muscles of the abdomen and neck involuntarily tense, this is felt as a push in the throat. At this point, it is necessary to record the stopwatch reading and continue breathing in a normal rhythm. Then measure your pulse (this can be done before measuring the control pause).

The results are assessed as follows:

• in a healthy person with a pulse rate of no more than 70 beats/min, the pause in holding the breath exceeds 40 seconds;
• at the first stage of the disease, a control pause of 20-40 seconds at a pulse rate of approximately 80 beats/min;
• on the second – a control pause of 10-20 seconds at a pulse rate of approximately 90 beats/min;
• If the period of possible pause in breathing is less than 10 seconds, then this corresponds to a fairly advanced disease.

The depth of breathing is measured repeatedly, and constant readings indicate a stable condition.

Breathing exercises are aimed at the voluntary elimination of deep breathing, i.e. chronic hyperventilation of the lungs, which is the cause of many pathological conditions of the body. The result of deep breathing is the regular intake of excessive amounts of oxygen into the lungs, which contributes to large losses of carbon dioxide. Long-term hyperventilation provokes narrowing of the bronchi and arterial vessels that carry oxygen to various organs and tissues. Their oxygen starvation occurs, all types of metabolic processes are disrupted, allergic reactions occur and a tendency to colds appears. In bronchitis, a decrease in the depth of breathing contributes to the easy separation of bronchial mucous secretion (phlegm), it becomes unnecessary for the body and stops being produced.

Buteyko breathing exercises are used only in the presence of symptoms and attacks of the disease. Its implementation is based on the following principles: normal breathing is not corrected; if the test showed deep breathing, then it begins to decrease with the help of gradual training both at rest and during physical activity; training should be devoted to at least three hours a day, over time, the depth of breathing begins to decrease even without training; breathing is held only after exhalation; during the training, the patient must monitor the depth of his inhalation (to create a feeling of some lack of air). When performing breathing exercises, the patient keeps a diary of observations of his condition. Classes are held only on an empty stomach, it is necessary to breathe only through the nose and not sniffle.

A gradual decrease in the depth of breathing is achieved by performing the following set of exercises.

Shallow breathing: repeat the sequence ten times – inhale for five seconds, exhale (5 seconds) and pause for five seconds (at this point try to relax as much as possible).

Breathing with the abdomen and chest: repeat the sequence ten times – inhale for 7.5 seconds, exhale for the same duration, pause for five seconds.

Perform acupressure massage of the nose once during the longest breathing pause.

Breathe ten times through your right nostril, holding your left one closed, then through your left one.

Repeat ten times: on a full inhale (7.5 sec), draw in your stomach, exhale as fully as possible, relaxing your abdominal muscles (7.5 sec), five-second pause.

Hyperventilation of the lungs - take 12 deep breaths in and out within one minute (each breath in and out lasts five seconds).

Without resting, hold your breath for as long as possible once while exhaling as fully as possible.

Then the so-called breathing by levels is performed:

• I (one minute) – performed at a rate of four breathing cycles per minute: inhale–exhale–pause (5 seconds each);
• II (two minutes) – performed at a rate of three breathing cycles per minute: inhale–pause–exhale–pause (5 seconds each);
• III (three minutes) – performed at a rate of two breathing cycles per minute: inhale–pause–exhale (7.5 seconds each), pause (5 seconds);
• IV (four minutes) – inhale–pause–exhale–pause (10 seconds each, gradually increasing to 15 seconds).

Hold your breath for as long as possible once while inhaling, then while exhaling.

Hold your breath for as long as possible, each position is performed three to ten times: sitting, walking in place, squatting.

The complex ends with shallow breathing: sit in a comfortable position and, having relaxed well, breathe with your chest, gradually reducing the volume of inhaled and exhaled air until your breathing becomes completely unnoticeable. It is performed for about three to ten minutes.

In patients who perform breathing exercises according to the K.P. Buteyko method, after some time, from two weeks to two months, a cleansing reaction occurs - a temporary exacerbation with increased secretion of bronchial secretions, an increase in body temperature, and the appearance of pain. Symptoms of concomitant diseases may worsen. This is considered a good sign, indicating the normalization of metabolic processes and possible recovery.

The frequency of execution at first is morning and evening. With an increase in the control pause, the instructor can review the training regimen, reducing their frequency and increasing the duration.

So, it is advisable to do breathing exercises according to the Buteyko method under the supervision of a specialist and as prescribed by a doctor. But you can take some of his advice on board: sometimes it is enough to stop breathing through your mouth and coughing. Even this can give amazing results.

It is necessary to always try to breathe only through the nose, even if it seems impossible at first. The body will begin to get used to the normal physiological type of breathing.

Then you can try to even out and reduce the depth of your breathing, trying to relax. Go from deep breathing to more shallow, simply observing your body's reactions.

The main thing here is to never allow a severe lack of air. A good sign of moderation in this regard is the lack of need to "breathe in" after exercise.

Yoga breathing exercises for bronchitis (paranayama) can also be very effective, and can be done at home. The main thing is to try not to overexert yourself and not to feel discomfort.

The exercise "Cleansing Breath" can be done in any position standing, sitting or lying down: take a deep breath with your stomach, then exhale the air in portions, pushing it out with your diaphragm, each portion should be smaller than the previous one. Exhale with your mouth, lips should be folded into the letter "O", without straining, as if blowing out candles of ever smaller size. When exhaling in portions, a feeling of relief should appear.

"Super-cleansing breath." First, you need to inhale and exhale deeply with your stomach seven times. Then do the previous exercise eight times with the following adjustments: exhale through tightly compressed lips, with powerful pushes, straining the diaphragm and chest muscles.

Dynamic breathing is performed from the lotus position (it can be done from the more simplified sukhasana or while sitting on the heels) and includes the following set of exercises:

• palms on knees, take 10 deep breaths in and out through your nose, then on a deep nasal breath, expand your chest as much as possible, relaxing your shoulder girdle (shoulders down) and trying to inhale as much air as possible; on the exhale, relax, rounding your back and lowering your head down (can be done up to 20 times);
• from the same position we perform rotations of the body: leaning forward - inhale, leaning back - exhale; five rotations are done in one direction and five in the other;
• sitting in the same position, while inhaling, bend backwards as much as possible, bringing the shoulder blades together and stretching the chest; while exhaling, bend downwards, smoothly straightening the shoulders; try to perform the movements smoothly, in a wave-like manner (repeat approximately 8 times).

It is advisable to start practicing yogic breathing exercises under the guidance of an instructor.

You can teach your child with bronchitis the following exercises:

• invite the child to portray a crow: sitting on a chair or standing, while inhaling, raise your arms up through the sides, while exhaling with a cry of “C-a-a-r-r!” lower your arms through the sides (repeat five times);
• play bug with your child: sitting on a chair, hands on your waist, inhale, turn your body to the left and move your left hand back, return to the starting position, exhaling air with a buzzing sound; repeat the exercise to the right side (five times in each direction);
• You can ask your child to inhale air through a straw and exhale it through his nose;
• Children also usually enjoy blowing up balloons.

You can come up with other exercises with pronouncing humming and hissing sounds, they should be pronounced on the exhale and in a loud voice. The lessons with the child should take about ten minutes.

Contraindications to the procedure

In acute bronchitis, breathing exercises are started on the second or third day after the start of drug therapy in the absence of high temperature and other symptoms of acute intoxication. It is contraindicated in the following complications: respiratory failure of the third degree, abscessing pneumonia, asthmatic status, pleurisy with a large accumulation of fluid, sputum with blood, complete atelectasis of the lung.

In case of chronic bronchitis, breathing exercises are not recommended during periods of exacerbation, with decompensated concomitant diseases, in particular hypertension, with a tendency to bleeding, with acute febrile conditions and oncological diseases.

In addition, breathing exercises according to Strelnikova’s method are contraindicated in cases of craniocerebral trauma and spinal trauma, acute thrombophlebitis, severe forms of osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic spine.

All these contraindications are relative, if the patient's condition improves, the doctor may prescribe breathing exercises. The only absolute contraindication is mental retardation or mental illnesses that prevent the understanding of the essence of the method.

Yoga is also contraindicated for people with artificial prostheses, as it can cause their rejection.

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Consequences after the procedure

Breathing exercises for bronchitis, provided that contraindications are observed, have positive consequences. Many patients with chronic bronchitis believe that they have achieved long-term remission only thanks to breathing exercises, since many years of drug treatment did not give such an impressive result.

The K.P. Buteyko method has drawn criticism from doctors who believe that adjusting breathing can lead to loss of automaticity in the respiratory center, which can be fatal due to complete respiratory arrest. However, such cases have not been reported to date. There is evidence that after active and long-term exercises to volitionally eliminate deep breathing, patients experienced a decrease in external respiration parameters, in particular, lung capacity. The author himself believes that it is dangerous to control the amplitude and duration of respiratory movements; in his methods, the depth of breathing is reduced only through relaxation. Healthy people should not use these methods as preventive measures at all. Therefore, the Buteyko method can only be used as directed and under the supervision of specialists.

Complications after the breathing exercises procedure are associated with incorrect implementation of the exercises by not very competent people or independent practice by the patient and ignoring contraindications.

Of course, you can inflate balloons and do simple exercises (exhale through a tube into water, inhale and exhale alternately through the left and right nostrils, etc.) on your own. However, home workouts should not be long or cause discomfort (headache, dizziness, desire to catch your breath).

And the use of Strelnikova, Buteyko, and Indian yogi methods requires the supervision of an instructor at least at the initial stages of classes. Independent practices may be useless and even harmful to the body.

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Care after the procedure

There is no specific care after performing breathing exercises.

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