For many people recovering from Covid-19, problems with breathing led to intense anxiety. And that’s understandable, it’s natural to feel panicky when you have difficulty drawing breath.
“Feeling that fear can make it even more difficult to breathe and physiotherapists know this,” said Rogier van Bever Donker, president of the South African Society of Physiotherapy.
“We are trained to help patients who are struggling to breathe.”
During the pandemic, you may have read that lying on your tummy (proning) is one way to make breathing easier. There are other positions your physiotherapist can show you, which will help with breathing.
For example:
• Put a pillow on a table
• Sit down and ensure your feet are flat on the floor
• Lean forward and place your forearms on the pillow
• Rest your head on your arms
• Breathe in and out
• You can help your breathing in a similar way while standing, by leaning forward and placing your hands on your knees or thighs.
“Your physiotherapist can show you several simple ways to facilitate breathing, and that’s empowering,” he said.
According to him, physiotherapists can also help with breathing exercises that strengthen your lungs and, at the same time, help calm your anxiety.
The link between your emotions and breathing is strong. Physiotherapists teach diaphragmatic breathing to have a positive impact on mental health as well as physical health.
Belly breathing, or pulling in the air with the big muscle between your lungs and your gut, is better for your lungs and helps you to relax, limiting the impact of the stress hormone, cortisol. Deep, healing breaths can help you manage stress and depression.
“Physiotherapists can guide you with other techniques, such as visualisation, to calm anxiety too. Our job is to help you reach optimum health, well-being and function. So, consult a physiotherapist to help you recover from this debilitating virus,” he concluded.
• Source: Wendy Hardy on behalf of the South African Society of Physiotherapy.
