To breathe better after surgery, the patient should perform simple breathing exercises such as blowing a straw or whistling, for example, preferably with the help of a physical therapist. However, these exercises can also be performed at home with the help of an affectionate family member who can reproduce the exercises personally taught by the physical therapist.
Exercises are part of respiratory physiotherapy and can be initiated even in the hospital, the day after surgery or according to doctor’s discharge, depending on the type of surgery performed, and should be maintained until the patient no longer needs rest, dung or can even breathe freely, without secretions, coughing or shortness of breath. Learn more about respiratory physiotherapy.
- Examples of surgeries where exercises may be helpful include surgeries that require bed rest.
- Such as knee replacement.
- Total hip replacement.
- And spine surgery.
- For example.
- The 5 exercises that can help improve breathing after any of these surgeries are:.
The patient should inhale slowly, imagining that he is in an elevator that goes up floor by floor. Therefore, you should inhale for 1 second, hold your breath and continue inhaling for an additional 2 seconds, hold your breath and continue filling your lungs with air for as long as possible, hold your breath and then release the air, draining your light.
This exercise should be done for 3 minutes. If the patient is dizzy, he should rest for a few minutes before repeating the exercise, which should be done 3 to 5 times.
Lying comfortably on his back with his legs stretched out and his hands crossed over his stomach. You should inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, then exhale through your mouth, slowly, taking longer than inhalation. When you release the air through your mouth, you should relax your lips to make small noises with your mouth.
This exercise can also be done sitting or standing and should be done for about 3 minutes.
Sitting in a chair, resting your feet on the floor and back in the chair, you have to put your hands on your neck and when you fill your chest with air you try to open your elbows and when you release the elbows try to join your elbows until they touch. If the exercise is not possible, you can start to lie down and when you can sit down, do the exercise sitting down.
This exercise should be performed 15 times
The patient should sit in a chair and rest his hands on his lap. As you fill your chest with air, keep raising your outstretched arms until you are above your head and lower your arms each time you release the air. Exercise should be done slowly and looking at a fixed point helps maintain balance and concentration to perform the exercise correctly.
If sitting exercise is not possible, you can start to lie down, and when you can sit down, do the sitting exercise, and it is recommended to do so for 3 minutes.
The patient should fill a glass of water and blow with a straw, making bubbles in the water. You should inhale deeply, hold your breath for 1 second, and release the air slowly (forming bubbles in the water). Repeat 10 times. This exercise should only be performed sitting or standing, if it is not possible to stay in these positions, you should not perform this exercise.
Another similar exercise is whistling with 2 balls in. Start breathing for 2 to 3 seconds, hold your breath for 1 second and exhale for 3 more seconds, repeating the exercise 5 times. This can be done sitting or lying down, but the sound of the whistle can be annoying.
“To perform the exercises you have to choose a quiet place and the patient must be comfortable and with clothes that facilitate all movements.
Also watch the video below and learn more about how to do breathing exercises at home:
Few situations are in which breathing exercises are contrasted, but it is not indicated that exercises are performed when the person has a fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, as this indicates infection and exercises can further increase body temperature. In addition, exercise is not recommended when the pressure is high, as there may be even more pressure changes. Learn how to measure pressure.
You should also stop performing exercises if the patient reports pain at the surgery site during exercises, and it is recommended that the physical therapist evaluate the possibility of exchanging exercises.
For people with heart disease, breathing exercises should only be performed with the help of a physical therapist, as complications can occur.
Breathing exercises have several advantages such as
These exercises may seem very easy to perform, but they are very demanding for those who are in surgical recovery and therefore it is normal for the individual to feel tired and anxious when performing the exercises. However, it is important to encourage the patient to overcome their difficulties, overcoming their own barriers day after day.