Up to 1 in 7 Australians over 40 have some form of COPD. Symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue can result in difficulty undertaking physical and social activities. Over time these symptoms can also impact everyday tasks like showering and dressing. Evidence shows that early diagnosis combined with disease management, including pulmonary rehabilitation, can improve patient outcomes.
What is Pulmonary rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is an 8-week evidence-based exercise program. Our goal is to enable those with lung disease to manage their breathlessness, improve quality of life and stay out of hospital. Pulmonary rehab is generally suitable for anyone who has a mild, moderate, or severe lung disease who suffers with breathlessness. Respiratory conditions can include COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease or chronic asthma.
All participants undertake an individual assessment with our physiotherapists which includes taking your medical history, checking your lung function, and testing your exercise capacity. This then allows the physiotherapist to create a safe individualised exercise program for you to complete under their supervision.
Our Pulmonary Rehab program aims to:
- Reduce breathlessness and fatigue
- Increase functional exercise capacity
- Improve quality of life
- Increase self-efficacy
- Reduce depression/anxiety
- Reduce hospital admissions
If you or someone you know is affected by any respiratory condition such as COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease or chronic asthma, please speak with us today.