FH&SC Physiotherapy
V01.1 Last updated: 06/10/2022
Date approved: 2021
This information has been developed to supplement the information the nurse practitioner or doctor may have provided you with.
Do you have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or a Respiratory (Lung) disease?
- Are you breathless doing activities such as housework, shopping or when out and about?
- Do you wish you could do more?
- Are you worried you will get out of breath if you do too much?
- Do you want to know how to manage your condition better?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, Pulmonary Rehabilitation may be for you.
What is Pulmonary rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a 6 week programme. This could be virtual or face to face. You will attend 2 classes per week. The classes are for people with breathing problems. Each class is a mixture of exercise and education.
The programme aims to help you learn more about your condition and how to manage it. We will help you learn skills that build your confidence.
The exercises are planned for all levels of lung problems and will take into account any other problems you may have such as arthritis. They aim to help you become stronger and able to do more.
Members of the Physiotherapy team lead and support the class. Each session has some education within it. Different staff, including Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Nursing may provide the education.
What are the benefits of Pulmonary rehabilitation?
- You will become fitter & stronger
- You will have more control of your breathing
- You will be able to manage your condition better yourself
Is theprogramme suitable for everyone?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is for people with breathing difficulty. This is mainly those with COPD. Sometimes other people with asthma and other chronic lung conditions attend.
You will get most benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation if you are keen to help yourself. It will not make you worse. You will be assessed before attending. If it is not for you, you will be advised on what to do at home.
You will learn how to control your breathing whilst doing everyday activities. You will always be supervised. You will never be asked to do more than you really think you can.
If you have mild lung disease you may not need to come to a class. You should speak to your Practice Nurse for advice on exercise, diet and other lifestyle issues. This could help to slow down the progress of your disease and help you manage your condition.
Where is the programme available?
The classes run in various locations across Fife. This could be virtual from the comfort of your own home or face to face.
Accessible formats
If you require this information in a community language or alternative format such as Braille, audio, large print, BSL, or Easy Read, please contact the Equality and Human Rights Team at: email: fife.EqualityandHumanRights@nhs.scot or phone 01592 729130. For people with a hearing or verbal impairment you can also contact the team through the NHS Fife SMS text service number on 07805800005.
