Breathing Control

• Breathing Control:

  • Normal relaxed tidal breathing using the lower chest
  • Promotes relaxation and prevents hyperventilation
  • May assist to reduce the sensation of dyspnoea
  • Can be done in any of the positions of ease
• Breathing Control - Practical tips:

  • Position for success
  • Relax shoulders / support upper limbs
  • Breathe in through nose and out through mouth
  • Let the pt do it at a rate that is comfortable for them
  • DON’T tell the patient to try and slow down their breathing
  • Be calm and in control
  • Reassure the patient
• Breathing Control on Exertion - Breathing Control whilst mobilising:

  • Time breathing with steps
  • In for 1 step and out for 2 (if slow pace)
  • In for 1 step and out for 3 (faster pace)
• Breathing Control On Exertion:

  • Try to prevent patients holding their breath during any exertion
  • ‘Blow as you go’
  • Blow out when standing up from a chair
  • Blow out as lifting a heavy weight
  • If lifting something heavy off the floor
  • bend at your knees rather than lower spine
  • breathe in as you go down
  • blow out as you come up
• Other Techniques to Relieve Dyspnoea:

  • Pacing (OTs)
  • Energy conservation techniques (OTs)
  • Fan on face (stimulation of facial mechanoreceptors)