Weekly Staff Professional Development Topic
Your breathing plays a big part in your overall health, energy, and independence. Sometimes, certain health conditions, like neurological conditions, arthritis, or even long periods of reduced activity can make it harder for your lungs to work at their best.
At our clinic, we keep an eye on your lung health as part of your overall care. This doesn’t just mean noticing when you’re short of breath but it’s also about spotting the early warning signs that your breathing muscles or airways might need extra help.
What we look out for
- Shortness of breath, even when resting
- Trouble clearing mucus or phlegm from your chest
- Weak or ineffective coughing
- Wheezing or unusual breath sounds
- Poor sleep, waking up tired, or feeling breathless lying flat
- Changes in your oxygen levels
How we can help
Within our scope, we can use safe, gentle techniques to help improve your breathing and make it easier to clear your airways, such as:
- Breathing exercises to help your lungs expand more fully
- Positioning to help drain mucus from the lungs
- Gentle chest techniques (like vibrations or cupping) to loosen mucus
- Assisted coughing techniques to help clear the chest more effectively
When we refer to a specialist
Sometimes, your breathing needs more specialised care than we can provide. If that’s the case, we’ll refer you to a respiratory physiotherapist. They can provide advanced treatment, prescribe special devices, and work closely with us and respiratory doctors for a multi-disciplinary approach.
We may refer you if we notice:
- Ongoing low oxygen levels
- Worsening breathlessness or fatigue
- Coughing that’s too weak to clear your chest
- Signs of infection
- Breathing problems during sleep
- Any changes we feel need a specialist’s opinion
Our goal
We want you to feel confident that your breathing is being looked after. By working together – you, our team, and respiratory specialists when needed, we can help keep your lungs healthier for longer.
