Therapeutic exercises for obstructive bronchitis. Effective treatment of bronchitis with exercises

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

Exercises for bronchitis to clear 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, and deterioration of well-being. If the sputum is not removed, it becomes infected, then the process is aggravated due to intoxication. Treatment of bronchitis is impossible without eliminating these pathological discharges.

Exercises for bronchitis to remove sputum achieve their goals if the patient adheres to proper breathing. It consists of alternating strong inhalations and smooth exhalations. The first is done alternately with 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 with a “tube.” At the same time, you should slowly lean forward.

For untreated bronchitis, Streltsova’s technique, with an emphasis on the abdominal muscles, or yoga is useful; These methods are described in more detail below. There is also a simple method according to Kuznetsov, based on ordinary physical exercises performed at a rapid pace, with deep breaths and strong exhalations.

At the same time, we must not forget that, in addition to exercises, other methods of removing excess mucus are used for bronchitis. In particular, popular folk remedies: inhalations with steam and expectorants, herbal teas, milk with honey and soda, etc.

Exercises for bronchitis in adults

Various exercise options for bronchitis treat pathology, increase the functionality of the organ, restore normal breathing, and ensure coordination of the muscles involved in the breathing process, in particular the diaphragm.

When you have bronchitis, it is important to get rid of excess mucus. The evacuation process is facilitated by exercises with extended exhalation and diaphragmatic breathing (“belly”). The system of exercises for bronchitis in adults often includes movements that imitate work, sports, games, and dancing.

• Exhale with resistance: after inhaling strongly, you need to exhale slowly (up to 15 minutes), through a straw or hose into a bowl of water. Repeat several times daily. It is allowed to perform in any phase of the pathological process, including during remission and exacerbation.
• Breathing from the diaphragm: lying on your back, count to three; During this time, we inhale powerfully, involving the abdominal muscles. At “4” – exhale with maximum protrusion of the abs. Next we cough dully. Can be performed in a sitting position, running or walking.
• Squeeze-up: lying down (or sitting), pull your legs to your chest, hold your shins with your hands. Action according to the scheme “increased exhalation – diaphragmatic inhalation – starting position – cough.”
• Hugging your shoulders: in this way we force the exhalation. In a shoulder-width position, with fingers spread out, we hug ourselves forcefully, hitting our shoulder blades with our palms. Let's exhale louder.
• Chop wood: standing on your toes, we sharply move our fingers together from above, imitating a woodcutter’s blow, vigorously release the air from our lungs and return to the previous position.
• Skiing: we place our feet as if on a ski track. Pulling ourselves up on our toes, we bend over and stretch our arms towards imaginary sticks. At “1” we squat, leaning forward to bring our legs into contact with our stomach; hands below behind, begin to exhale. At “2, 3” in the same position we move our legs springily and complete the release of air. We return to the starting position while inhaling from the stomach.
• We hit the shoulder blades: we raise our arms, stretching out and arching on our toes. As we descend, we lean forward. With an energetic swing, we cross our arms in front of the body and hit the shoulder blades, accompanying the action with a sharp exhalation. Repeat the gestures, striking and continuing to exhale. They return to the starting position during diaphragmatic inhalation.

Exercises for bronchitis in children

The peculiarity of the course is that a young body has a more difficult time coping with phlegm, so recovery after 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 the doctor recommends exercises for bronchitis, then they start with static ones, gradually move on to dynamic ones, then to restorative exercises. In the chronic form of the disease, it is necessary to strengthen the muscles. For gentle coughing, drainage exercises are included. It is advisable to study in a group, under the guidance of a physical therapy specialist, but if this is not possible, practice at home.

Young children require a special approach. Exercises in the form of a game are recommended with them. For example, they will enjoy blowing up balloons, blowing soap bubbles, or blowing on a paper boat floating in a basin. For a child, 10-minute sessions are enough to ensure that the lungs are sufficiently saturated with oxygen and the muscles are gradually strengthened. You can complete exercises for bronchitis with children by massaging claps on the chest - front and back.

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

• The “Crane” is performed five times: as you inhale, raise your straight arms up, and as you exhale, lower them. At the same time, a drawn-out “y” is issued.
• “Beetle” is obtained by sitting in the position of your hand on your belt, then inhaling, turning your body to the right with your hand pulled back.
• “Flight” is performed while running. The flapping of the arms imitates the wings of a bird in flight. The running 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 mucous secretions formed as a result of bronchitis.

A set of exercises for bronchitis

A set of exercises for bronchitis performs the following tasks:

• reduces inflammation in the bronchi;
• improves sputum production;
• restores the drainage capacity of the organ;
• prevents complications;
• increases hemoglobin levels;
• strengthens defenses.

One option includes the following movements:

1. Lying on your back, while inhaling, raise your arms extended along the body behind your head. As you exhale, return to the previous position.
2. In the same position, we place one hand behind the head, the other lies along the body. During a random breathing rhythm, we quickly change the position of our hands.
3. We make a “bicycle” with our legs until they get tired.
4. Position on your stomach, arms along the body. On inhalation - lift your head as far as possible without using your hands; on exhalation - start position.
5. Breathing spontaneously, we reach out with our hands to an imaginary object.
6. Lying on your side in a half-bent position, pull your arm up, straightening your spine. As you exhale, we turn and repeat the movement on the other side.

To begin with, 5 - 7 repetitions are enough, gradually the number is increased to 12 - 14. And so on every day, until complete recovery.

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

Breathing exercises for bronchitis

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

• The preparatory one consists of 15 nasal, then oral inhalations and exhalations. Performed three times, with a break of 5 seconds. Then follows a light oral inhalation/exhalation.

With a cough reflex, it is necessary to assist in the removal of mucus. To do this, they do this: relax the neck muscles, lower the head; press with 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: take a sharp breath through your nose and pull yourself up on your toes, arms up. When lowering, exhale through your mouth with the sound “oo-oo-oo”. Repeated 5 times.
2. Steps in place with arms raised. Inhale through your nose when rising, exhale when lowering. And so for two minutes, observing the rhythm of steps and breathing.
3. Sitting in the lotus position, raise your clenched fists as you inhale. Exhale slowly, with the sound “x-x-x” (6 times).
4. Stretch in a sitting position bent legs, arms to the sides. Inhale normally, exhale through the lips: “f-f-f.” Exhaling, 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 right hand up, left - to the side. Exhaling slowly, change the position of your hands.

• The final movement is repeated six times.

Slow bends while standing, with your arms down, inhaling through your nose. After the starting position – tilt in the opposite direction, calmly exhale.

Exercises for bronchitis are available to everyone. The main condition is to do them systematically, every day for several weeks. However, there are also 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 with endocrine pathologies.

Physical therapy exercises for bronchitis

Physical therapy is good for people of various ages. Exercise stimulates metabolism, activates the heart and digestion, and strengthens muscles. Exercise therapy is especially interesting for children because it resembles an outdoor game and promotes activity, which is so loved by everyone at this age.

Therapeutic exercises are prescribed for various diseases: from neuroses to diabetes. You should also 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 words “chronic” or “obstructive” are present in the diagnosis. It is important to breathe properly during exercise. Start in a lying position, then dynamic breathing is possible.

It must be emphasized that exercise therapy is started only after a doctor’s prescription, if he considers such exercises useful. They are usually started on the second or third day from the start of taking antibiotics. Therapeutic exercises for bronchitis have the following effects:

• improvement of gas exchange;
• activation of mucus secretion;
• cessation of cough;
• 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 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, and, if possible, in the presence of mothers.

Exercise 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 strength and hemoglobin levels 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 classes. As a rule, the course lasts three weeks, you need to practice at least twice every day. Breathing movements are done softly, in a half-whisper, through teeth.

Exhaling through the mouth causes the urge to cough as the phlegm rises to the top. So, experts do not advise coughing too much in such cases, otherwise you may cause damage. vocal cords or cause bleeding.

To avoid drying out your throat, you should alternate between nasal and throat breathing. Daily workouts strengthen the diaphragm, on which the normal functioning of the bronchi also depends respiratory system generally.

It was noticed that the minimum physical activity in the form special exercises reduces headaches, even reduces fever. Before starting classes, it is recommended to take expectorants to thin the mucus. Less viscous fluid is more easily evacuated from the bronchial lumens, thus increasing the effectiveness of exercise. It is especially important to pre-cough patients with chronic bronchitis. It is advisable not to strain too much.

Exercises according to Strelnikova for bronchitis

A. Strelnikova, singer and vocal teacher, developed unique system breathing based on our 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 right 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 system and diaphragm.

Strelnikova exercises for bronchitis are prescribed in parallel with other treatment methods. Daily exercise stimulate coughing and eliminate excess secretions from the bronchi. It is fundamentally important to take sharp, short nasal breaths, which help positive changes in the blood, normalization of cardiac activity.

Exercises for bronchitis must be performed twice a day for two to three weeks. They start with 16 nasal breaths in a row, followed by 16 mouth breaths. And so three approaches, with a 5-second “break”. Basic exercises - “pump”, “hug your shoulders”, “eights”.

• The “pump” is performed from an angle, noisily inhaling air, imitating smelling flowers. Exhale without tension, in a slightly elevated body position. After 8 breaths - a short rest.
• The Shoulder Hug begins standing or sitting, with your arms bent and raised. As you inhale, hug yourself, as you exhale, spread your arms. Repeat 16 times, with nasal and oral breaths.
• "Eights" are considered additional exercise. They are made by bending forward. After quickly inhaling through your nose, you should not exhale, but count out loud several times to eight. In this way, active evacuation of bronchial contents is achieved.

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

Drainage exercises for bronchitis

Positional (the second name is postural) drainage is recommended for chronic forms, including purulent ones, 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 first recommended to use bronchodilators and expectorants, linden tea. After half an hour, the patient assumes positions that maximally support the natural removal of sputum under the influence of gravity. Different positions help fluid flow from individual segments to those places from which they are eliminated by coughing.

In each pose, to begin with, the patient takes several slow, maximally deep breaths through the nose, exhaling through clenched lips. After this, taking a slow and deep breath, coughs slightly (a few coughs three times will be enough).

For the sake of achievement better effect Exercises for bronchitis of this kind are combined with massaging hand pressure on the chest area.

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

Yoga for bronchitis

As you know, the basis of yoga is the desire to achieve complete harmony of the physical and spiritual principles. Yoga for bronchitis is considered an effective auxiliary method that promotes rapid recovery.

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

• Simha Mudra. While sitting or standing, take a deep breath, and stick your tongue out as far as possible to your chin. In this position, exhale deeply. Then the head is bowed to the chest, and the gaze is directed to the area between the eyebrows. After a few seconds, they return to their original position.
• Jih-va-bandhu. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth and stretch it upward, and your lower jaw forward, keeping your mouth closed. Start with three times, then bring it up to six.
• Dynamic breathing. Sitting straight, keep your hands on your knees, palms down. Perform yoga breathing several times and then breathe through your nose. As you inhale, bend your chest, protruding 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, the arms are pulled back, the chest is up, the head is back. When exhaling, the shoulders and pelvis are pulled back, and wave-like movements are made with bent elbows. 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 performing exercises for acute bronchitis, however, as in other cases, it is necessary to take into account your well-being and general condition patient, calculate physical strength. Extreme efforts do not produce any effect; on the contrary, they can cause dissatisfaction and distrust in the effectiveness of exercises for bronchitis.

In acute cases of the disease, exercises are designed to speed up recovery. They are started soon after the start of the course of antibiotics, no later than on the second or third day. Combine various movements with rhythmic breathing. To warm up, use the “fists” movement. Quick, strong breaths are combined with clenching your fists, and light exhalations are combined with straightening. Feet are always in the classic position - shoulder width apart.

This is followed by basic exercises that imitate typical movements of humans and animals. Names help remember the sequence and correct execution.

• “Dropping the load”: hands on the belt, clenched into fists, while inhaling we unclench our fists and forcefully “throw” them down, spreading our fingers. Exhale through slightly parted lips. It is advisable to do 12 sets of 8 breathing movements.
• “Pumping up the ball”: standing with relaxed arms, inhale vigorously through your nose, lean forward, lower your head, hang your arms. Exhalation is accompanied by a return to the starting positions. 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 pose is similar. Inhaling, bend your arms slightly and clench your fingers. Then squat, turning your body alternately in both directions. When returning, exhale.

There are 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 microflora.

Exercises for chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammation, with relapses, often resulting from untreated acute bronchitis. As an independent disease, it forms when exposed to harmful volatile components at work or at home.

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

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

• Pull up on your toes, arms up, taking deep breaths through your nose. Exhale through the mouth with the sound “u-h-h”, returning to the starting position (4 – 5 times).
• Feet apart, hands near hips. For a nasal inhalation, place your arms to the sides; for a noisy oral exhalation, clap your hips (5 – 6).
• Calm steps in place, one at a time - arms to the sides, inhalation through the nose; on the next count - a loud exhalation “gu-u-u”, with lowering of the hands.
• 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 often through your nose and swing your arms forward/backward (8 – 9).
• IN sitting position stretch your legs. Inhale through your mouth, raising your arms to the sides, lower them, exhaling through clenched lips with the sound “ssss” (3 – 4).
• In a standing position, raise your right hand and move your left hand to the side. Inhaling through your nose, change hands. Exhale slowly with the sound “r-r-r” (5 – 6).
• Feet together, arms down. Inhaling through your nose, tilt your torso to the side. As you exhale, slide your hands along the body to the sound “sssss” (6 to 8 times).
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Exercises for obstructive bronchitis

If inflammation of the bronchi is accompanied by obstructive syndrome, this 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 form of fibers in the bronchial walls. Treatment is to make the sputum more liquid and quickly evacuate it from the inside. At the same time, they fight the cause of the disease, that is, pathogens.

Exercises for obstructive bronchitis differ in the actual exercises 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 breathing exercises for obstructive bronchitis is named after the physiologist K. Buteyko. The scientist believed that many pathologies are caused by so-called hyperventilation of the lungs. To eliminate it, the doctor suggested a technique of shallow breathing and long pauses between breaths. Such exercises are useful for obstructive bronchitis, bronchial asthma, as well as for preventing exacerbation of a chronic process.

• Hold your breath as much as possible, and use short shallow breaths to hold out longer.
• When walking, hold your breath until you feel a lack of oxygen, then breathe normally and again with a delay.
• 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 anytime, anywhere. Performing these exercises significantly reduces the need for pharmaceuticals, although, naturally, it does not replace them at all. Success lies in a reasonable combination of both treatment methods.

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 the acute manifestations have subsided;
• in chronic cases - after exacerbation.

Properly selected exercises for bronchitis are aimed at increasing the resistance of the respiratory system and 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.

For purulent phenomena, emphasis is placed on drainage exercises; for obstructive ones, on sound exercises supplemented with breathing exercises. Massage plays an important role chest, which makes breathing easier and helps remove mucus faster.

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

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

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

Among the adult population, chronic bronchitis is very common. A long, protracted illness is characterized by difficulty breathing, dry paroxysmal cough, general weakness and constant discomfort.

However, this disease is most dangerous because it is associated with changes in the lungs (pneumofibrosis and emphysema), as well as disturbances in the functioning of the heart. That is why treatment must be approached as responsibly and comprehensively as possible. Along with prescribed medications, you should pay attention to activities such as exercise therapy and, above all, breathing exercises.

What are the benefits of breathing exercises

Properly performed breathing exercises help develop lungs, take more productive and deep breaths, train the muscles of the chest, improve blood circulation, and reduce swelling. As for, such respiratory activity also promotes the outflow of mucus from the lungs and bronchi, which is an excellent prevention of exacerbations.

After all, the problems that this disease causes are associated, first of all, with stagnation. In addition, by strengthening the muscles of the chest, gymnastics helps normalize the breathing process.

It will help transform a dry cough into a productive (wet) one, thereby promoting the outflow of stagnant mucus.

Breathing exercises performed in accordance with all the rules will increase the protective properties of the mucous membrane, which will have a beneficial effect on improving local immunity.

Together with exercise therapy (physical therapy), they help strengthen the general immune system, as they improve the health of the body as a whole. This means that bronchitis will not be burdened by additional colds and other diseases.

What is important not to forget?

It must be borne in mind that the entire beneficial effect on health is possible only if it is carried out strictly according to the rules. It is unacceptable to train through force or when you feel generally unwell, weak, or have a fever. This is especially important if we are talking about an elderly person, or he already has certain heart problems.

For bronchitis, the approach to exercise should be systematic - you need to exercise every day, without any breaks or days off. At the same time, do not stop exercising for several weeks. Only in this case will it be possible to experience a positive effect on health.

Express set of breathing exercises

Sometimes there is simply not enough time for full-fledged classes. And the person begins to exercise irregularly. As a result, no significant effect is observed. For busy people, doctors recommend this express complex.

Breathing exercises consists of only 5 simple exercises and is recommended for the prevention of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, as well as if there are general breathing problems. It takes very little time - no more than 10 minutes. But the charge of vivacity will be felt immediately.

1. inflate balloon for a minimum number of exhalations. It is advisable to take a medium-sized ball of soft, thin rubber so that breathing is free, without excessive effort.
2. Gently pinch your nose with your fingers and try to take as full a breath as possible through your nose. Exhale relaxedly through your mouth.
3. Pull your lips into a tube and take a deep breath, freeze for 2-3 seconds, exhale voluntarily.
4. Try to suck in air through a wide-open mouth. It is important that the breathing be deep, the stomach rises (this will allow the air to pass through all parts of the lungs).
5. Inhale through one nostril while closing the other with your finger. Then exhale through the other. Repeat the same for the second nostril. Do not do this exercise if you are sick with a cough or runny nose.

Popular exercises

Doctors recommend starting exercises from the second or third day after the start of drug therapy, so the treatment will be more effective. Ideally, your doctor should provide recommendations regarding exercises that are appropriate for your individual case.

However, there is a universal set that can be done for any form of bronchitis, at any age. You should remember the correct training tactics, because, like any other types, breathing exercises consist of three blocks: warm-up, main and final.

Introductory (warm-up) stage

You need to start training with deep, leisurely inhalations and exhalations, which should be repeated 15 times with your mouth and the same number with your nose. Each approach is done 3 times with breaks of 5–7 seconds. This breathing activity will help set the body up for productive exercise.

Basic complex

Doctors recommend a fairly large volume of exercises as the main block of breathing exercises. However, if you feel some discomfort or get tired quickly, you can reduce their number to 3.

Below is a list of the most popular exercises that are easy to perform without consulting a trainer.

Most of the listed exercises are often included in the exercise therapy complex, since they involve a certain physical activity.

• Stretching. Connect both hands into a fist and, while inhaling, stretch them upward, fixing the position for a couple of seconds. Then, with a slow exhalation, lower your arms. Repeat 6 times in one approach.
• Walking in place. Do the exercise in a well-ventilated area, try to breathe deeply. You can raise and lower your arms in rhythm with your step (however, this is not at all necessary for older people).

• Flexible slopes. From a standing position, slowly lean forward a little and at the same time extend your arms parallel to the floor (inhale), and rise as you exit. As you inhale, lean back slightly and place your raised and closed arms behind your shoulders; while exhaling intensely, return to starting position. This exercise should be performed without pauses or stops, smoothly moving from one pose to the next. Do 3–5 approaches.
• Swing your arms. Standing straight, alternately swing your arms back and forth. Accompany the exercises with frequent breathing - inhaling through the mouth, noisy exhaling through the nose. With such intense breathing, it is very important to monitor your well-being; if you suddenly feel dizzy, it is better to stop the exercise, sit down, close your eyes and take a deep breath (in about 7 seconds - the easiest way is to count to seven to yourself) and exhale for the same long time.

Final stage

The exercises in this group are designed to restore strength after training and bring breathing back to normal. You need to start them with a short break after the last one from the basic group. 5-6 seconds will be enough.

Popular breathing exercises at this stage are as follows: stand straight, relax your muscles, slowly bend first to one side, then to the other, alternating with each bend, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. This is done very smoothly, at least 6 times in each direction.

If after this amount the breathing does not become even and measured, then you can repeat the bends another 5-6 times.

Additional Methods

Breathing exercises play a leading role in various problems with the bronchi, but it is best to combine it with exercise therapy and massages. As physical therapy for exacerbations of bronchitis it will be quite sufficient normal walking in the rhythm that your health allows. It is advisable to spend at least an hour on the move and take walks in parks, forests or embankments. You can also do yoga, but only under the supervision of a trainer.

Bronchitis is a disease characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree and affecting the bronchi at all levels. This pathology occurs with equal frequency in adults and children. The disease affects children of all ages from infants to teenagers. Breathing exercises for bronchitis are used along with medications and have a beneficial effect on the condition of the lungs and bronchi, significantly speeding up the healing process.

Most doctors advise their patients to perform breathing exercises for bronchitis. There are many techniques of breathing exercises that are used to improve the health of the lungs and bronchi. Their correct and systematic implementation leads to the following positive effects:

• diluting bronchial secretions and facilitating their passage;
• accelerating the cleansing of the bronchi from excess mucus accumulation;
• reducing the degree of airway obstruction;
• reducing the frequency of coughing attacks;
• general strengthening effect on the body.

During the disease with bronchitis, after performing breathing exercises, auscultation of the lungs indicates positive dynamics. By improving the drainage of bronchial mucus and relieving the symptoms of obstruction, wheezing and whistling are heard in much smaller quantities, breathing is carried out in all parts of the pulmonary parenchyma.

Interesting fact: Therapeutic breathing exercises are also prescribed to patients with pneumonia in order to avoid the development of fibrosis and pneumosclerosis - undesirable consequences of the disease. It is recommended to perform the exercises after the patient’s general well-being improves.

Breathing exercises for chronic bronchitis in remission can be performed at any convenient time. During an exacerbation of the disease, doctors recommend engaging in recreational exercise on the second or third day from the start of taking antibiotics. Exercise therapy for bronchitis in the initial stage and tracheitis helps relieve attacks of dry “non-productive” cough, turning it into “productive”.

Methods for performing breathing exercises

To date, a lot has been developed exercise therapy complexes aimed at improving breathing. Performing these exercises is indicated for an adult or child who has functional disorders of the respiratory system. In the presence of organic pathologies of the respiratory tract, respiratory exercise is not effective.

Indications for use health-improving techniques are:

• chronic simple and obstructive bronchitis in the stage of remission and exacerbation;
• bronchial asthma;
• allergic bronchitis;
• tracheitis.

Breathing exercises for bronchitis can be used for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and women after childbirth. The choice of breathing technique is best done together with your doctor. To begin with, charging must be done under control. exercise therapy instructor. After mastering correct technique performing exercises, it is possible to move on to independent studies at home.

Breathing according to Strelnikova

Experts consider this set of exercises to be the most effective. The essence of this technique is to perform deep forced breaths, which leads to improved ventilation of the bronchi at all levels and bronchioles. This helps saturate the blood with oxygen and improve blood circulation in the vessels of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree.

According to this technique, inhalation should be made sharply and through the nose, assuming a moderate amount of inhaled air. At this moment, the nostrils collapse and the shoulders pull down. The next inhalation is done through the mouth, the nose is not used. Subsequent exhalation occurs through the mouth, without effort. Breathing is not delayed. It is recommended to breathe in the rhythm of the march.

Classes can be carried out in a horizontal, vertical or sitting position. It is best to do this outdoors.

Breathing exercises according to Buteyko

From the very beginning, this technique was proposed to cure bronchial asthma. Currently, it is actively used to treat bronchitis, especially of an allergic nature. The Buteyko method should be used only as prescribed by a doctor, after examining the depth of breathing. Its essence is to combat pathologically deep breathing and prevent constant hyperventilation.

Inhalation and exhalation should be done only through the nose, trying to breathe infrequently and shallowly. At the same time, maximum relaxation is mandatory. As regular classes There will be a smooth transition of the body to more shallow breathing, which will have a positive effect on the condition of the respiratory tract.

Yuri Vilunas method

Another name for this method is “sobbing breathing.” The exercise was originally developed by the author to combat diabetes. Over time, it was discovered that exercise helps cope with diseases of the bronchi and lungs, especially chronic bronchitis.

It is necessary to take a shallow breath through the mouth. This is followed by a sharp forced exhalation, accompanied by a guttural sound “ho!” There must be a three-second pause between breathing movements. The exercise should be performed for a minute, which corresponds to the duration of one session.

You can familiarize yourself with the methods of health-improving breathing exercises developed by Frolov, Shchetinin, Epifanov, Bubnovsky and Komarovsky by watching the training video. Some doctors recommend yogic breathing, or pranayama. This should be done under the supervision of a yoga instructor.

Breathing training for obstructive bronchitis

In the presence of an inflammatory process that occurs with symptoms of bronchial obstruction, it is recommended to do physical exercise, which help relax the diaphragm and intercostal respiratory muscles.

These effects are achieved by lengthening the exhalation time. The patient takes a habitual breath through the nose, after which he slowly exhales through the mouth through a tube immersed in a container of water. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.

With bronchitis, there is difficulty in clearing mucus from the respiratory tract. These exercises are designed to improve the drainage function of the bronchial tree, which can significantly facilitate the process of expectoration of mucus. To this end, you should perform the following actions:

• while standing, take a measured breath, then exhale as long as possible;
• lying face up, upper limbs along the body, while inhaling, lift and stretch the upper limbs, and as you exhale, lower them to the starting position;
• lying with your back on the bed, move your arms straight to the sides while inhaling, and while exhaling, use them to press your knees to your chest.
• lying face down, while inhaling, raise the body, bending the lower back; while exhaling, take the original position.

Exercises can be performed at any time of the day, but better in the morning after sleep. This is due to the fact that after a night's rest, secretion accumulates and stagnates in the bronchi. After such exercise, the condition of the patients improves significantly, wheezing when breathing disappears.

Exercises for shortness of breath

Good for coping with shortness of breath breathing exercises Yuri Vilunas and Buteyko. The key to success lies in correct execution exercises.

If you are planning lessons with a child, then the first lessons should be conducted together with a specialist. He will help teach the baby proper breathing, thanks to which it will be achieved healing effect. Before using these methods, you should consult your doctor!

Dynamic exercises

Part of the methodology developed by vocal singing teacher A. Strelnikova are these simple exercises. They are playful in nature, so even a child will find it interesting to perform them.

Exercise "Palms"

Starting position: standing, arms bent in elbow joints, the palmar surfaces of the hands are turned away from you. You should inhale quickly and deeply, clenching your hands into a fist.

As you exhale, relax and relax your arms. You need to start with five repetitions, gradually increasing their number.

Exercise "Hug your shoulders"

Initial position: standing, arms straightened at all joints and extended to the sides. Inhaling sharply, you should position your arms as if you were hugging yourself by the shoulders.

Exhaling air, return to the starting position. Perform 15-16 repetitions, holding the inhalation position for up to 2 seconds.

Exercise "Eight"

Initial position: standing, body slightly tilted forward. Take a deep breath through your nose, then hold your breath for 8 counts.

After this, take a calm, measured exhale. It will be enough to do 10 repetitions.

Exercise “Let’s drop the load”

Starting position: standing, arms bent at the elbows, lying on the waist, fists clenched. Take a forced breath through your nose, lowering your upper limbs along your body and relaxing your fists.

In appearance, it should resemble dropping a heavy load. Exhaling air, relax, returning to the starting position.

To restore respiratory function, original methods and sets of specially designed exercises are used.

TO best methods, confirmed by practice, include gymnastics by Strelnikova, methods of Buteyko, Yuri Vilunas.

Breathing according to Strelnikova

Strelnikova’s gymnastics for the lungs help with obstruction and during the recovery period.

The purpose of the complex is to maximize the involvement of the diaphragm muscles in the process due to increased sharp inhalation. The exhalation using this author’s technique is imperceptible, almost inaudible.

Strelnikova’s gymnastics have contraindications associated with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure during forced inspiration. Sharp breaths are contraindicated in cases of thrombophlebitis, brain injuries, spinal injuries, hypertension, and high intraocular pressure.

Breathing exercises according to Buteyko

The author of the method believes that the cause of diseases of the respiratory organs is deep breathing - hyperventilation, a phenomenon well known to medicine.

To do this, you need to relax, which will automatically lead to a decrease in the depth of breathing. You need to breathe through your nose.

The Buteyko method allows you to cope with phlegm, cough, teaches you to control breathing, cures diseases of the respiratory organs, heart, and has a positive effect on metabolism in general.

“Sobbing Breath” - gymnastics by Yuri Vilunas

The Vilunas method is also used for preventive purposes, for this you need:

• take a breath through the mouth - superficial, calm, shallow;
• exhale the air briefly, sharply with the sound “ha” coming from the throat;
• followed by a pause of 3 s.

Breathe in this way for 1 minute, which is one session. Sessions can be repeated many times during the day.

Find out about therapeutic massage for bronchitis in our article.

Breathing training for obstructive bronchitis

For obstructive bronchitis, it is useful to perform exercises that relax the diaphragm and relieve tension in the respiratory muscles.

To do this, you need to practice long exhalation.

To lengthen the exhalation, the patient should take a normal breath, then exhale through a straw dipped into the water. The exercise is performed for 15 minutes.

Drainage gymnastics

To remove mucus during bronchitis, perform exercises that improve bronchial drainage.

No. 1. While standing, inhale for several counts (3-6), exhale for more counts (4-7).

No. 2. Take a lying position, extend your arms along your body. Smoothly raise your arms as you inhale, reach for them at the top point, then, exhaling, lie down on your back again.

No. 3. Lie on your back. One arm is extended along the body, the other behind the head. 1 minute change the position of your hands, breathe freely.

No. 4. Lie on your back, inhaling, spreading your arms. As you exhale, press your knees to your chest, helping with your hands.

No. 5. Perform a pelvic lift from a lying position with your knees bent. Inhale as the pelvis moves up, exhale as the pelvis lowers.

No. 6. From a lying position, exhale, sit up, helping with a sharp wave of your hands, try to touch your feet. Inhale while returning to the starting position.

No. 7. Lie on your stomach. Bend your lower back several times, lifting your chest. Inhale while lifting, exhale during the return movement.

Exercises for shortness of breath

Breathing exercises for bronchitis in children

The author's breathing exercises according to Buteyko are used for bronchitis, it is very useful for children, it teaches them to control their breathing and breathe through the nose. Children quickly master the exercises and perceive the methodology well in a playful way.

An example of a Buteyko activity would be reading a text. You need to read the text without starting the phrase with a noisy breath, and during reading it should not be visible that the person is breathing.

The method encourages the child to consciously control the depth of his breathing.

To practice breathing, the child, having made a normal shallow exhalation, should hold his nose with his fingers, close his lips and not breathe as long as possible without straining.

Exhalation after holding your breath should be free.

The breath hold can be 10 s, 15 s, over time the duration of the hold will naturally increase. It is important to teach your child to monitor his breathing and breathe through his nose.

Find out about other ways to treat bronchitis in children in our article.

Breathing exercises after bronchitis

After acute bronchitis, it is useful to perform exercises to finally get rid of shortness of breath, and to clear the lungs of mucus residues in the bronchi.

Breathe through your nose, repeat the exercise 8 times:

1. Inhale - arms to the sides, exhaling, lower your arms.
2. Arms to the sides, inhale - exhale, hug yourself by the shoulders.
3. Take gymnastic stick, put it behind your back. Inhaling, bend back, exhaling, straighten, and then, without stopping, lean forward.
4. Take a gymnastic stick and hold it in front of you. Inhaling, raise your arms up, bending, placing your foot on your toes from behind. Exhaling, return to the original position.
5. Perform squats, touching your palms to the floor as you exhale, straightening as you inhale, raising your arms.

To train the respiratory muscles and increase lung capacity, children should more often be offered toys such as a whistle, a trumpet, games with inflating balloons, and blowing away imaginary specks of dust.

Gymnastics for adults with chronic bronchitis

Breathing exercises for chronic bronchitis are aimed at increasing the length of exhalation, increasing the tone of the respiratory muscles, and removing phlegm.

To get rid of phlegm, the drainage exercises described above are used. They also perform exercises to improve the tone of the diaphragm and train abdominal breathing.

To improve blood circulation in the lungs, you must first rub your back and chest with camphor oil. Lightly tap on the sternum until you feel a soft warmth. Do exercises at night. Do not wash off the camphor oil, put on warm underwear.

We have prepared material for you in the article about rubbing and massage for chronic bronchitis.

Conditions of training, contraindications

The study room should be well ventilated. Requires a rubber mat, comfortable sportswear. You should not do gymnastics immediately after eating, if you feel unwell, or have a fever.

Breathing exercises are contraindicated for bronchitis in patients suffering from hypertension, heart disease, and high intracranial pressure.

Bronchitis is a disease in which there is stagnation of sputum in the bronchial canals.

As a result of this pathological phenomenon, breathing with bronchitis is difficult and the person suffers from a severe cough.

There is a narrowing of the bronchi, making it difficult for a person to breathe.

The disease can be successfully treated. For this purpose, mucolytic drugs, inhalations, as well as antiviral drugs and antibiotics are used.

Science knows one more effective method to facilitate the removal of phlegm from the body and improve lung function - therapeutic breathing exercises.

Breathing exercises for bronchitis help remove mucus from the lungs and also improve overall well-being. Together with proper drug therapy, therapeutic exercises significantly reduces inflammation and restores the body.

Therapeutic exercise has the following effects:

• strengthening the immune system,
• improved blood circulation, bronchial tissues receive oxygen,
• increase in hemoglobin level,
• restoration of natural functions of the bronchi,
• facilitating the removal of mucus.

Proper breathing exercises also help prevent the formation of complications and increase lung volume, which promotes better oxygen saturation of body cells.

The effectiveness of exercises for the respiratory system is determined by the correct execution technique. During training, it is important to follow the recommendations for inhalation and exhalation. The inhalation through the mouth should be sharp and intense.

Exhalation is performed in a relaxed manner through the mouth. Inhalations alternate: first through the mouth, and then through the nose. If you inhale through the nose, then the mouth should be closed, otherwise the nose should not work.

Depending on the severity of the disease, a set of exercises for bronchitis can be performed in:

1. sedentary
2. standing,
3. in a supine position.

Start the complex therapeutic exercises doctors advise already on the second or third day after the start of drug treatment, thus the therapy will be more effective.

The attending physician should provide specific recommendations that are suitable for the individual situation.

Exists large number various breathing exercises, Strelnikova’s gymnastics is recognized as one of the most effective. This complex exercises will do for asthma. The method allows:

• restore breathing,
• remove spasms, cough and wheezing of the lungs.

This breathing exercise for bronchitis contains a list of exercises that need to be performed while maintaining a certain type of breathing (in the video). The rhythm of exhalations and inhalations should correspond to the marching rhythm. Movements are performed during the inhalation stage.

If a person takes a breath through the nose, it should be short and sharp. An indicator of correct inhalation through the nose is the noise that the nose makes.

Breathing through the mouth should be soft and silent. You should exhale through your mouth slowly and smoothly to ensure the unimpeded exit of air from the lungs.

Drainage training is performed 2 times a day. The duration of the course is three weeks. The sick person's condition will improve daily, nasal breathing will return to normal. In addition, the lungs will begin to function fully, and the inflammatory process will decrease.

Strelnikova’s gymnastics are useful for coughing; it can significantly speed up the processes related to the removal of sputum from the body. Due to sharp nasal breaths, it is possible to saturate blood cells with oxygen and normalize heart rate.

Before starting to perform breathing exercises, it is important to know the key principles of their implementation:

1. inhalation should be made only through the nose, briefly and sharply,
2. exhalations are voluntary, but it is better to do them through the mouth,
3. inhalation is performed during movement: no movement - no inhalation,
4. body position is arbitrary,
5. calculations are done only in the mind.

A set of exercises for chronic bronchitis makes it possible to remove viscous mucus from the body, which accumulates when coughing. It is important to follow certain rules:

• exhale through the mouth
• breathing shallowly, taking a deep breath can cause bronchospasm,
• perform gymnastics in the morning and evening,
• If you feel worse, stop doing gymnastics.

There is a universal set of exercises for chronic bronchitis. You need to lie on your back and bend your knees, pulling them as close as possible to your chest. Along with the movement, air is inhaled through the mouth. You need to repeat the exercise several times slowly.

While standing or sitting, you need to pinch your nostril with your finger, inhale through your mouth and exhale through the other nostril. Then the second nostril is pinched and the same is done.

Final exercise: a person stands up straight and spreads his arms to the sides. Crossing your arms over your chest, inhale air, hugging yourself by the shoulder blades.

Breathing exercises for obstructive bronchitis involve a set of actions. To exhale with resistance, you need to take a glass vessel and fill it with water. Then a cocktail straw is placed in the water. Take a deep breath and exhale through the straw. The exercise must be repeated several times a day. Duration is 15 minutes.

The diaphragmatic breathing exercise is performed while lying on your back. First, a deep breath is taken, then a sharp exhalation and maximum retraction of the abdomen. After this, you need to take another deep breath and stick out your stomach as much as possible.

Then the same thing, but with a few coughing shocks. This increases the activity of the diaphragm, the lungs stretch, which provokes the release of mucus from the respiratory tract.

A complex of breathing exercises is best combined with massages and exercise therapy. Physical therapy effectively trains the muscles involved in breathing, develops the chest and improves lung function.

Exercise therapy complexes vary depending on the specifics of bronchitis and the presence of complications. If a person is prescribed bed rest, then he does the exercises while lying on his side or back. You can do exercises while leaning on the back of a chair.

Exercise therapy pursues the following goals:

1. reduce inflammation in the bronchi,
2. increase the circulation of lymph and blood in the lungs,
3. increase the body's protective functions.

If a sick person’s well-being allows it, as a form of physical therapy, you can walk at a rhythm that will not be tiring for him. It is useful to spend about an hour in motion every day, walking through the forest, parks or embankments. In addition, doctors talk about the benefits of yoga, but under the supervision of a professional trainer.

For prolonged chronic bronchitis, massage is also useful (on video), which will relieve the airways of phlegm, reduce shortness of breath and make coughing attacks less painful. In addition, massage strengthens the muscles of the chest and helps restore the rhythm of breathing, which leads to a reduction in swelling of the bronchioles and bronchi. The video in this article will show in practice how breathing exercises work.