Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Singapore | COPD Rehab

The First Specialist Clinic for Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Singapore. Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program to help you breathe easier after COPD. Breathe Well and Live Well.

Overview

Why am I feeling breathless? | Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Feeling breathless is the uncomfortable sensation of not getting enough air to breathe. This may occur when walking, climbing stairs, running or even when sitting still. It can come on suddenly or slowly over weeks to months.

You may have a diagnosed lung condition which limits the ability for lung tissues to participate in gas exchange leading to breathlessness during work or when performing your daily activities. This sensation of breathlessness can get worse with reducing activity levels caused by the breathlessness itself. This may then impact your ability to work, carry out activities of daily living or participate in exercise.

How to treat breathlessness after COVID-19 infection?  | Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Your lungs are in the midst of recovering after an acute COVID-19 infection. Exercise and activity modification after an acute COVID-19 infection is important while your lungs are healing. We will prescribe and progress your exercises and activities appropriately, while monitoring your symptoms and recovery at the same time. Education on how to monitor your symptoms will be provided throughout our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. This will ensure that you are exercising optimally and safely with us. We will also assess your breathing pattern to check for any changes to your breathing which may be causing your breathlessness.

Trusted Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Singapore

Heart and Lung Physio Singapore provides Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Central Singapore (Novena). This is where you will receive personalised care and attention to help you reduce breathlessness and improve your quality of life all in 1 program.

Learn more in the interviews from CNA with our very own physiotherapists with regards to Long COVID:

  • “Breathlessness, fatigue, persistent cough: Doctors see more cases of ‘long COVID’ in Singapore”. Read
  • “Still feel unwell after testing negative for COVID-19? How to manage post-infection symptoms”. Read

Contact our clinic in Singapore today to request for a pulmonary rehabilitation specialist.

Talk to us immediately.

Available daily from 9 am to 6 pm

Heart & Lung Physio Assessment and Rehabilitation Process

Every session at Heart & Lung Physio is conducted on a 1 to 1 basis ensuring full attention and personalisation. The programme consists of at least 12 sessions lasting 1 hour each and it will be conducted at a frequency of once to twice weekly.

The following assessments will be performed on your first session:

  • Current physical activity levels and goals
  • Auscultation and capability for clearance of phlegm if any
  • Posture and breathing pattern
  • Oxygen levels when exercising
  • Upper limb and Lower limb strength
  • Body composition analysis
  • Fitness test

 

After the assessment each individual will receive:

  • Detailed body composition analysis report showing results on body fat % and muscle mass
  • Activity modification to slow the onset of breathlessness
  • Personalised exercise programme with appropriate exercises depending on your health history and goals

With these information, an individualised programme will be formulated and will include one or more of the following:

 

  1. Breathing techniques
    1. Specific breathing techniques to control breathing and avoid feeling out of breath, especially during physical activities.
    2. Techniques aimed at facilitating clearance of phlegm will also be taught if applicable.
    3. Adjuncts such as the inspiratory muscle trainer (IMT) for strengthening of breathing muscles
  2. Exercise training
    1. Endurance training focuses on improving your tolerance for activities, so as to reduce breathlessness while engaging in your usual activities
    2. Strength training focuses on big muscle groups on the back, arms and legs, as well as muscles that assist in breathing.
    3. Precautions to take if there is a drop in oxygen levels during exercise
  3. Education
    1. Throughout your progress, you will be taught on how to monitor your breathlessness, as well as how to exercise safely. Advice on pacing and relieving positions will be demonstrated for daily application so as to delay the onset of breathlessness during your usual day.

Frequent Asked Questions about Pulmonary rehabilitation

What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a supervised programme that includes exercise training, health education, and breathing techniques for people who have certain lung conditions or lung problems due to other conditions.

If walking already makes me breathless, should I still exercise?

It is normal to get breathless during exercise. However, regular exercise can increase the strength and function of your muscles, making them more efficient. Your muscles will require less oxygen to move and they will produce less carbon dioxide. This will immediately reduce the amount of air you will need to breathe in and out for a given exercise, reducing the sensation of feeling breathless. Exercise training also improves your circulation and strengthens your heart.

Does exercise make my breathlessness worse?

It is normal to get breathless during exercise. However, regular exercise can increase the strength and function of your muscles, making them more efficient. Your muscles will require less oxygen to move and they will produce less carbon dioxide. This will immediately reduce the amount of air you will need to breathe in and out for a given exercise, reducing the sensation of feeling breathless.

How can physiotherapy help with Long COVID symptoms?

Our therapists will assess your breathlessness and fatigue levels during your initial session with us. Proper breathing techniques and exercises will be taught based on our assessment to help you breathe better, and you will also be on an endurance exercise programme to help you improve your overall functional fitness.

Who should have pulmonary rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important programme for anyone recovering from these conditions/surgeries:

  • Bronchiectasis
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Post-lung surgery
  • Other chronic lung diseases that limits breathing and activities

However, if you do not have any of the above conditions, and are unsure if you qualify for this programme, feel free to leave us a message under the enquiry page! Our physiotherapists will be able to personally advise you on which programme will be suitable for you or your loved ones

How we can help

We will start with a physical examination which includes:

Assessment of current function and stamina

Ability to cough out secretions/phlegm if any

With this information, we will create an individualised exercise programme to guide you on the appropriate exercises to do to help you achieve your health goals.

Speak to our therapists