COPD Exercises and Breathing Techniques: Management Guide

Living with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can be challenging, but the right exercises and breathing techniques can significantly improve your quality of life. This comprehensive guide covers effective strategies for managing COPD at home.

Understanding COPD

What is COPD?

• Progressive lung disease
• Includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema
• Causes breathing difficulties
• Usually caused by smoking
• Not curable but manageable

Common symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Mucus production
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Fatigue
• Reduced exercise tolerance

Breathing techniques

Pursed lip breathing

Most important technique for COPD

1. Breathe in through nose (2 counts)
2. Purse lips as if whistling
3. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips (4 counts)
4. Use during activities and when breathless
5. Practice 4-5 times daily

Benefits:

• Keeps airways open longer
• Reduces breathlessness
• Improves oxygen exchange
• Helps control breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing

1. Sit or lie comfortably
2. Place hand on abdomen
3. Breathe in through nose
4. Feel abdomen rise (not chest)
5. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips
6. Practice 5-10 minutes, twice daily

Paced breathing

For activities:

• Breathe in before effort
• Breathe out during effort
• For example: breathe in before standing, out while standing
• Prevents breath-holding
• Reduces breathlessness

Exercises for COPD

Why exercise is crucial

• Improves breathing efficiency
• Increases exercise tolerance
• Reduces breathlessness
• Maintains independence
• Improves quality of life
• Reduces hospital admissions

Walking programme

Starting level

• Start with what you can manage
• Even 2-3 minutes is beneficial
• Walk at comfortable pace
• Use pursed lip breathing
• Daily if possible

Progression

• Increase by 1-2 minutes weekly
• Aim for 20-30 minutes daily
• Can split into shorter sessions
• Rest when needed
• Build up gradually

Upper body exercises

Arm raises

1. Sit upright
2. Breathe in
3. Raise arms forward/overhead as you breathe out
4. Lower as you breathe in
5. 10 reps, twice daily

Shoulder circles

1. Sit or stand
2. Circle shoulders backwards
3. 10 circles, twice daily
4. Helps chest expansion

Lower body exercises

Sit-to-stand

1. Breathe in while sitting
2. Breathe out as you stand
3. Breathe in as you sit
4. 5-10 reps, twice daily
5. Builds leg strength

Marching on spot

1. Stand holding support
2. March on spot
3. Use pursed lip breathing
4. 1-2 minutes, twice daily

Managing breathlessness

Positions to ease breathlessness

Forward lean sitting

• Sit, lean forward
• Rest forearms on knees or table
• Relax shoulders
• Use pursed lip breathing

Forward lean standing

• Stand, lean forward
• Rest hands on thighs or surface
• Relax shoulders
• Use pursed lip breathing

Panic control

If breathlessness causes panic:

1. Stop activity
2. Get into comfortable position
3. Focus on pursed lip breathing
4. Breathe slowly and calmly
5. Tell yourself "I can control this"
6. Gradually breathing will settle

Clearing mucus

Active cycle of breathing

1. Breathing control: Gentle breathing for 20-30 seconds
2. Deep breaths: 3-4 deep breaths in and out
3. Breathing control: 20-30 seconds
4. Huff: Breathe out forcefully with mouth open
5. Cough if needed
6. Repeat cycle 2-3 times
7. Do 2-3 times daily

Postural drainage

If mucus in specific areas:

• Position body to drain affected area
• Use gravity to help
• Combine with breathing techniques
• Ask physiotherapist for specific positions

Energy conservation

Planning activities

• Plan ahead
• Prioritize important tasks
• Spread activities through day
• Rest between activities
• Avoid rushing

Practical tips

• Sit for tasks when possible
• Organize items within easy reach
• Use trolley to move items
• Slide rather than lift
• Wear loose comfortable clothing

Managing flare-ups

Recognizing a flare-up

• Increased breathlessness
• More coughing
• Change in mucus (color, amount)
• Increased fatigue
• Chest tightness

Action plan

1. Start rescue medications as prescribed
2. Increase breathing exercises
3. Rest more
4. Stay hydrated
5. Contact GP if not improving in 48 hours
6. Seek urgent help if severe

Preventing flare-ups

Key strategies

• Take medications as prescribed
• Stop smoking (most important)
• Avoid triggers (smoke, pollution, cold air)
• Get flu and pneumonia vaccinations
• Exercise regularly
• Eat well
• Manage stress

Nutrition for COPD

Eating challenges

• Breathlessness while eating
• Early fullness
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite

Strategies

• Eat small frequent meals
• Rest before meals
• Eat slowly
• Choose nutritious foods
• Stay hydrated
• Maintain healthy weight

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Post-Illness Recovery & Reconditioning provides:

• Supervised exercise programme
• Breathing technique training
• Education about COPD
• Energy conservation strategies
• Psychological support
• Improved quality of life

Staying active with COPD

Activities to try

• Walking (most accessible)
• Swimming (if comfortable)
• Tai chi
• Gentle yoga
• Chair exercises
• Gardening (paced)

Exercise tips

• Use pursed lip breathing throughout
• Start slowly
• Exercise when feeling best
• Take breaks as needed
• Build up gradually
• Exercise regularly

When to seek help

Contact GP if

• Increased breathlessness
• Change in mucus
• Fever
• Ankle swelling
• Confusion
• Flare-up not improving

Call 999 if

• Severe breathlessness
• Blue lips or fingers
• Chest pain
• Coughing blood
• Confusion or drowsiness

The bottom line

Living well with COPD requires:

• Regular breathing exercises
• Daily physical activity
• Medication compliance
• Energy conservation
• Avoiding triggers
• Early action on flare-ups
• Professional support

COPD is a serious condition but with the right management, most people can maintain a good quality of life. The key is staying active, using breathing techniques, and seeking help when needed.

About the author

Lizzie Thornton is a specialist community physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience in respiratory rehabilitation and COPD management. She is HCPC registered and a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Lizzie provides home physiotherapy visits across Staffordshire Moorlands and Cheshire East.

View Lizzie's profile