What's Involved in a
Pulmonary Rehab Program?

Pulmonary rehab can help you learn to do more with the breathing you've got. And feel better as a result. Programs last from 6 to 12 weeks. They draw on the skills of doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, and trainers, among others.

In general, a program has three steps:

1. Evaluating the functional ability you have now
2. Developing a program geared to your limits and needs
3. Applying the plan

Evaluation and assessment

There are two parts to evaluating your specific needs. What are you capable of doing physically? And what do you want to do? It can be a huge motivator if you have a goal, such as enjoying an upcoming wedding more, or simply doing more of an activity that you love.

The physical assessment might include a full evaluation of your muscle endurance, walking patterns, as well as your heart and lung strength. If appropriate, you may also have a "functional task assessment" performed by an occupational therapist. This evaluates your ability to do things such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. It can also assess any work-related issues you may have.

The results of these tests will help to find a starting point for your therapy. They will also aid in developing a plan and setting goals for your training.

The program and after

Training and therapy will be tailored to your abilities and goals, although your program may place you in a group of people with like abilities. There will be educational classes that may help you learn coping strategies and make lifestyle changes that can also help improve your breathing and your health.

The important thing is to work as hard as you can. Remember, this training is medically supervised. No one is going to push you beyond your abilities. During the program, some of the same tests used to evaluate you at the start will be used to measure your progress.

By the end, you should see real progress in your ability to exercise and perform everyday tasks. Once you complete the program, it's key to keep exercising and applying what you have learned to maintain your improved fitness level.