Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy at Home

Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy that is meant to help patients with injuries in the heart and lungs. It basically involves prevention and rehabilitation of patients who have diseases related to these two organs. This includes patients who have an acute lung or heart injury, or people who have a chronic cardio respiratory condition, or people who require a heart or lung operation.  A patient struggling with cardiorespiratory issues might be showing signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, a constant cough, reduction in their ability to exercise, having to make more effort in breathing, etc. Through Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, it is possible for the patient to have an active lifestyle or to improve their quality of life. 

Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy

Through Cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, it is possible to solve issues related to physical and functional impairment and to enhance activity participation and lessen participation restrictions caused by impairments and failures of the cardiovascular and pulmonary system. Through cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, it is also possible to manage various conditions including Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, coronary artery disease, heart failure, among others.

Patients suffering from cardiopulmonary diseases face issues such as breathlessness, an increase in the level of fatigue, increased sputum production, a decrease in exchange of gases, reduced capacity to exercise and so on. Some of the common cardiorespiratory conditions that can be improved through cardiorespiratory physiotherapy include: 

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF)
• Respiratory Infections, i.e. Pneumonia
• Hypertension
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Angina
• Heart Attack (MI)
• Heart or lung injury or surgery
• Pneumonia
• Asthma

Through cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, it is possible to manage the above mentioned cardiorespiratory conditions as well to create a prevention strategy for the same.

Respiratory physiotherapy basically includes a variety of exercises prescribed by the physiotherapist. It entails various techniques and methods that are essential to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. These include exercises pertaining to deep breathing, breathing facilitation exercises, percussion and vibrations, coughing, mobility assistance and customized and personalized exercise plans. The goal of respiratory physiotherapy is to help reduce breathlessness, improve the functional capacity of the patient, to reduce the number of hospital visits, enhance their overall wellbeing and quality of life. 

Cardiopulmonary physical therapy is used for patients in a variety of settings such as ICU, indoor and outdoor patient department, home care, clinics and rehabilitation centers. For patients that are in ICU and on ventilators, physiotherapy is used to help with accumulations of secretions in lungs and increase oxygenation. Respiratory physiotherapy helps with improving ventilation, removing secretion and with breathing. In outpatient centers and clinics, the physiotherapist creates a tailored plan for the patient based on their symptoms, endurance and resistance. Respiratory training is provided to improve the patient’s level of functionality.

Physiotherapy aims to clear the secretions present in the lungs, reduce the effort a patient needs to make for breathing and improve the patient’s tolerance to exercise. Physiotherapy is important because it helps prevent or resolve respiratory complications. Through physiotherapy, it is possible to stop dependence on ventilation faster, to reduce the time spent by the patient in intensive care and to ensure a quick discharge from the hospital.

A cardiorespiratory physiotherapist works to ensure optimum delivery of oxygen to the blood and to the rest of the body. For the same, physiotherapy uses a wide variety of techniques including manual therapy & positioning techniques, along with breathing & mobilization exercises. For example, for a patient of pneumonia, the physiotherapist will use manual therapy and exercise to help move secretions that are acting as mucus blocking airways. The end goal of the physiotherapist will be to improve oxygen delivery. In less severe instances, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy is more long term and generally includes therapeutic exercise, where the outcome expected is improvement in the long term functioning of the cardiovascular system. 

Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy also plays a large role in the prevention of common complications. When people are admitted to hospital, or are recovering after an unrelated surgery (such as an orthopedic or abdominal surgery), your doctor may ask an Active Rehab cardiorespiratory physiotherapist to see you.

Following are the exercises and techniques that are a part of Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy: 

• Deep Breathing Exercise: These sets of exercises are meant to increase the volume of the lungs. These exercises also help with preventing lung infections
• Hands-on Techniques & Breathing Facilitation Exercises help with expanding the capacity of the patient’s lungs. 
• Percussions and Vibration are meant to loosen secretions and make coughing easier for patients
• Coughing and Breathing Strategies are used to help the patient with the cough and help manage shortness of breath
• Breathing and Circulation Exercises are meant to prevent further complications related to respiratory and vascular systems including  chest infections and deep venous thrombosis (DVTs)
• Mobility Assistance is provided by the physiotherapist to help the patient move safely in bed, to help them sit up, stand and walk
• Mobility Aids such as wheelchairs, walking frames may also be provided to ensure safe movement
• Personalized & Customized Exercises: The physiotherapist will come up with a tailored plan for the patient that will help with the breathing pattern, to help build muscle strength and to improve your endurance and wellbeing in general 

• Bed, Chair and Standing Exercises are supposed to help with preventing deep vein thrombosis or clots 
• Fitness Exercises: These exercises are meant to help improve your mobility and overall fitness

Contracting the COVID-19 virus leads to respiratory symptoms and issues such as pneumonia, breathlessness and fever. A Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist’s job is crucial if you have contracted COVID-19 since the physiotherapist help removes secretions, provides better breathing techniques and helps reduce the distress caused by respiratory symptoms. Principles of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy can prove to be useful in severe life threatening circumstances. 

First Response Healthcare (FRH) is a JCI accredited, leading home healthcare company in Dubai that offers patient centric services that are reliable and of a very high quality. FRH has received a gold seal of approval from Joint Commission International Standards for delivering international quality standards in their services. FRH has a team of licensed, experienced medical professionals who are compassionate and trained to prioritize your comfort and convenience. FRH provides its services 24*7, 365 days a year. 

FRH offers physiotherapy services at home. Through the ‘Physiotherapy on Call’; Service, our team of physiotherapists can reach your home, office or hotel at a time convenient to you. Our Physiotherapy team comprises highly trained, experienced, qualified and licensed physiotherapists who are well equipped with portable equipment to provide Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy exercise at home. All our physiotherapists have commendable clinical experience and are licensed by the Dubai Health Authority. 

Benefits of Getting Respiratory Physiotherapy Through FRH: 

• Flexible Appointments: You can book an appointment with us at any time, any day since our services are available 24*7, even on weekends and public holidays. 
• Quick Delivery of Services: We are fast and we reach your home, hotel or office within 30* minutes after you book an appointment. 
• We come to you, anywhere: We cover the entire Emirate of Dubai and can come to you at a location of your choice.  
• Place of Your Convenience: Our team can offer services at your home, hotel or office. 
• Customized Services – Our physiotherapist will offer a treatment plan based on your  needs and requirements. 
• One-on-One Attention – We take the time to understand your needs and make sure that we offer a treatment plan that works best for you. 
• We always keep you in loop – We make sure to keep you updated with Regular Progress Reports and keep you informed about how we are progressing with the treatment.

• Home Physiotherapy Services are Cost Effective & Save Time: Getting physiotherapy treatment at home can prove to be cheaper since it avoids multiple visits to the hospital, physiotherapy center or clinic. You save fuel costs that could prove to be a big expense if you have to continue physiotherapy for a long period of time. Over and above saving costs, you also end up saving time for the patient and the caregiver since you are not required to commute in traffic or wait in long queues at the hospital or physiotherapy center. 
• In the Comfort Of Your Home: Your home is a place that you are most comfortable in and feel the safest at. Receiving physiotherapy at home can help you avoid the stress and distractions of an outside facility and can help you focus on your treatment and therapy. At home, you’re also surrounded by family and loved ones which can help them oversee and supervise your physiotherapy sessions and can help you feel supported. 
• Safer & More Convenient: In the pandemic, the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus is a major concern. The risk is even higher in places like hospitals, clinics, physiotherapy centers, where there are a lot of people and patients. This risk can easily be avoided if you get physiotherapy treatment at home. 

To avail services of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy in Dubai, all you need to do is call on 0505050387 or 800DIALDOC. You can also book an appointment online by visiting our website: https://firstresponse.ae/