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Patient education

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Education, supervised exercise, at-home resources and ways to find pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

PATIENT GUIDE

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

Patient exercising with pulmonary rehabilitation staff

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of education and exercise that helps you manage your breathing problem, increase your stamina (energy), and decrease your breathlessness. The education part of the program teaches you to be “in charge” of your breathing instead of your breathing being in charge of you. You will learn how to pace your breathing with your activities, how to take your medicines, and how to talk with your healthcare provider.

Exercise sessions are supervised by pulmonary rehabilitation staff who prepare an exercise program just for you. Exercises start at a level you can handle; some people start exercising while sitting and others on a treadmill. Exercise time is increased gradually and the level of difficulty changes based on your ability. As your muscles get stronger, you can exercise longer with less breathlessness and feel less tired.

PATIENT GUIDE

Learn more about pulmonary rehabilitation

American Thoracic Society: Pulmonary RehabilitationAn introduction to pulmonary rehabilitation and what patients can expect.American Lung Association: Pulmonary RehabilitationEducation about pulmonary rehabilitation, who may benefit and how programs work.
PATIENT GUIDE

Some easy tips to follow at home

5 pulmonary rehab tips you can do at homePractical breathing, movement and self-care guidance.Pulmonary Rehabilitation ToolkitExercise and education videos and downloadable resources from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

Talk with your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise routine to make sure it is safe and appropriate for you.

PATIENT GUIDE

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs: in person

The American Thoracic Society, American Lung Association and American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation provide information about pulmonary rehabilitation and finding programs.

LIVEBETTER program directorySearch by city, state or ZIP code for pulmonary rehabilitation programs.AACVPR Program DirectoryDirectory of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs across the United States.
PATIENT GUIDE

Pulmonary rehabilitation online programs

Research has found that online pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can improve exercise capacity and symptom control. Studies have compared or evaluated online, interactive and telerehabilitation approaches.

Online resources can be useful when in-person rehabilitation is difficult to access. They are not automatically equivalent to an in-person program for every patient. Discuss online or home-based exercise with your healthcare provider before beginning.

Comprehensive self-guided programPulmonary Fibrosis Foundation toolkit developed with pulmonary rehabilitation partners.AACVPR patient resourcesPatient information about pulmonary rehabilitation and program options.