Pulmonary rehabilitation

If you have chronic breathing problems, even everyday tasks can be hard to do. At Aurora Health Care, our pulmonary rehabilitation program can help you build up your strength – and confidence – so you can get back to doing more of what you love.

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

Our pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive cardiopulmonary program centered around exercise, nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our specialists not only can help you manage your lung condition but also help you live well.

At Aurora, your rehabilitation therapy is a team approach. Our doctors, registered nurses, exercise physiologists and respiratory therapists will work together with you to create your personalized plan. We’ll always ensure pulmonary rehabilitation exercises are at the right level for you, such as starting out with seated exercises or simple walking.

Conditions we care for in pulmonary rehabilitation

Our pulmonary rehabilitation team are experts in managing all kinds of chest and lung conditions. We can help you manage:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic bronchitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Lung cancer
• Interstitial and restrictive lung diseases
• Post-COVID conditions
• Pre- and post-lung transplant
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary fibrosis

Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation

Chronic breathing problems and lung disease don’t need to keep you from the activities you enjoy. With regular exercise and healthy lifestyle changes, pulmonary rehabilitation therapy can help you feel better so you can do more.

The benefits from our pulmonary rehab include:

• Better quality of life: Regaining the confidence to do what makes you happy can help you live life more fully.
• Increased activity levels: Improving your respiratory strength and endurance can help you become more active and stay healthy.
• Healthier living: Learning how to manage your lung issues can mean you’ll have fewer symptoms, complications and hospitalizations.

Is pulmonary rehab the same as physical therapy?

Both physical therapy and pulmonary rehab combine exercise and education to help you recover and feel your best again. However, pulmonary rehab focuses on improving lung conditions and related symptoms.

When should you be referred for pulmonary rehabilitation?

If you have a pulmonary diagnosis and are experiencing symptoms, your doctor may recommend pulmonary rehab.

Getting started with pulmonary rehab

Once you receive your referral from your doctor, you can begin your pulmonary rehab with us. Most insurances cover pulmonary rehabilitation and we’re happy to help verify your coverage.

How long is the pulmonary rehab program?

Most often, you’ll attend one-hour group sessions two to three days per week for up to 36 sessions. The time it takes to complete your program will vary depending on your individual goals and needs.

Your personalized pulmonary rehabilitation program

Your pulmonary rehab plan may include a combination of respiratory exercise and education sessions. There’s also an opportunity to continue your rehab in an independent maintenance program, should you qualify.

Pulmonary rehab exercises

To improve your strength and stamina, your pulmonary rehabilitation exercises may include chair exercises, riding on a stationary bicycle, walking on a treadmill, working with hand weights or step exercises. We’ll closely monitor you for such things as heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen levels.

If you have a lung condition, chest physiotherapy and other percussion techniques may also be used in combination with these exercises.

Pulmonary rehab education sessions

These sessions will help you understand your lung condition and learn how to best manage your symptoms. Topics include breathing techniques, safe exercise guidelines, nutrition, stress management, relaxation and more.

Pulmonary rehab outpatient program

To encourage continued exercise and symptom management after completing our rehab program, you may have the option to join an independent maintenance program for a small fee.