Can Asthma Be Treated by Physiotherapy?

Asthma is a chronic,  inflammatory lung disease and a very common respiratory condition. It is characterised by bronchial hyper reactivity and respiratory obstruction which is reversible  marked by wheezing ,shortness of breath,chest tightness and coughing. Physiotherapy cannot replace drugs in asthma patient it provide supplement to the drugs and relief to patients,, however may reduce the dosage required. Physiotherapists treatment in a variety of ways with the aim to improve breathing technique. Asthma prone patients, most of then seek a physiotherapist for dyspnoea and hyperventilation.  

The treatment programs of asthma in physiotherapy includes with an initial appointment,  the physiotherapist undertake some assessments that will measure lung function, goals can then be set towards working to increase the function using a measurable monitoring tool.

The treatment program of asthmatic patient is briefly bulleted as under

• Breathing Techniques: Breathing techniques is more effective on moderate asthma. The aim of breathing retraining is to normalise breathing patterns by stabilising respiratory rate and increasing expiratory airflow. 
• Physical Training : Physical training with asthma is advised when taking the proper precautions, and should not be avoided.
• Goals of the treatment program maily relates to redduction of medication, maintaining current lung function and preventing further deterioration or minimising the risk of future attacks.
• Respiratory Muscle Training : Hyperinflation in asthma causes increased lung volume, leading to altered inspiratory muscle mechanics. There is a decreased capacity for tension generation when breathing, resulting in accessory muscles of inspiration being utilised. Breathing exercises are carried out using an external device to make breathing more difficult. This helps to strengthen the inspiratory muscles, making it easier to breathe in everyday life.
• Range of motion exercises : Mainly prescribed for the patients who are hospitalied.

The above are just few of the treatment programs.

The Main objective of the Physiotherapy treatments for asthamatics are to provide ad on supplements to medication that can povide more relief to patients. Meication are reduced but dertainly not replaced with physiotherapy.