Exercises for people with pneumonia
Severe cases of pneumonia can cause difficulty breathing, heavy breathing that affects work and daily life. Performing some exercises does not help cure pneumonia but has the effect of strengthening respiratory function,
1. The role of exercise for people with pneumonia
Although the effects of physical activity on respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis... are not as clear as with motor organs (musculoskeletal system), when performed regularly and persistently, it will have certain effects on pneumonia such as:
Maintain the ability to breathe deeply and evenly... Strengthen respiratory muscles, improve ventilation, save energy. Reduce bronchial spasms. Reduce phlegm. Limit shortness of breath and difficulty breathing for people with pneumonia. Help blood circulate more stably in the body, very good for the metabolic circulation process. Stimulate the nervous system to function better, improve sleep quality and avoid symptoms such as fatigue, stress, memory loss...
2. Good exercises for people with pneumonia
2.1. Exercises to impact stubborn areas to releasechest
- Posture:The patient lies on a round pillow placed under the chest area. The arms hug the chest close.
- How to do:
+ Stretch both arms out to the sides, inhale thoroughly, hold the breath, oscillate, roll the spine in the stubborn area (the affected back area, in lung disease it is the chest and back area) 4-6 times.
+ Exhale completely, bring both hands to hug your chest close.
+Repeat this movement 5-10 times to help release the chest, increase breathing, and help people with pneumonia breathe easier.
2.2. Breathe 4 times with buttocks raised and legs raised
-Posture:The patient lies on his back with both legs straight, one pillow under the buttocks, about 5-8 cm high, the left hand on the abdomen, the right hand on the chest. Close your eyes to focus on breathing exercises.
-How to do:
+ Inhale as much as possible, keep your larynx open (by trying to inhale more), and at the same time raise one leg and swing it back and forth 4 to 6 times, then lower your leg and hold your breath or try to inhale more.
+ Exhale completely, deflate your chest and stomach, lower your legs and relax your limbs.
+ Prepare to return, inhale and change legs.
+ Practice 10 breaths each time. Practice twice a day, morning and afternoon.
2.3. Neck stretching exercises
- Posture:Lie on your back with your arms along your body, supporting yourself on your occipital bone and buttocks.
- How to do:
+Arm your neck and upper back without touching the ground while inhaling to the maximum.
+ Hold your breath, rock your upper back back and forth 2-6 times, then exhale completely and deflate your stomach. If you don't have enough strength, don't rock.
+ Hold the pose for 1-3 breaths, shoulders and back not touching the ground.
2.4. Ship pose
- Posture:Lie on your stomach with your arms by your sides and your hands clenched.
- How to do:
+ Raise your head, lift your chest, arch your back as much as possible, and pull your head back.
+ Stretch both legs straight behind and lift them up to the maximum.
+ Pull both hands back and lift them up like a ship at sea.
+ Inhale fully, hold your breath and swing your shoulders to the sides, touching the ground. Swing 2-6 times, then exhale while squeezing your stomach.
+ Do this for 1-3 breaths depending on your strength.
2.5. 4-stroke breathing in sitting positionlotusbreathing support for pneumonia patients
- Posture:Sit in lotus position, place the right foot on the left thigh, the left foot on the right thigh, and place both hands on both knees.
- How to do:
Step 1: Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your belly as much as possible.
Step 2: Hold your breath for the same amount of time as you inhale.
Step 3: Exhale slowly, pulling your stomach in as much as possible.
Step 4: Hold your breath.
Repeat the 4-phase breathing exercise 5-7 times or depending on your health and condition. When you first start practicing, you can count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in each phase. Then increase the time by counting to 7, 8, 9, 10.
2.6. Looking far and near
- Posture:Sit up straight on the mat. Cross your legs in a comfortable position.
- How to do:
+ Cross your hands over each other, raise them to the sky, palms facing up, head tilted back, eyes looking at a fixed point of the fingers.
+ Inhale fully, keep your larynx open (by trying to inhale more), and swing back and forth 2 to 6 times, exhale completely, lower your arms and rest.
+ Repeat 3 times, do 2 times/day.
2.7. Put your hands behind your neck
- Posture:Sit up straight on the mat to avoid compressing internal organs, cross your legs.
- How to do:
+ Interlace your hands behind your neck, head tilted back, back straight.
+ Inhale fully, keep your larynx open (by trying to inhale more), and swing back and forth 2 to 6 times, exhale completely, lower your arms and rest.
+ Repeat 3 times.
2.8. Cross your arms behind your back
-Posture:Sit up straight on the mat with your legs crossed.
- How to do:
+Bring both hands behind the back, one hand holding from below, the other hand from above and crossing each other in the upper back area.
+ Inhale fully, hold the breath to open the larynx, and swing back and forth 2 to 6 times, exhale completely, lower your arms and rest. Change sides.
+ Repeat 3 times, 2 times/day.
2.9. Place your hands on your back and lean forward
- Posture:Sit up straight with your legs crossed.
-How to do it:
+ Place both hands behind your back between your shoulder blades, as high as possible, hands on top of each other, palms facing behind your back, tilt your head to the left and down.
+ Inhale fully, hold the breath to open the larynx, and swing back and forth 2 to 6 times, exhale completely, lower your arms and rest. Change sides.
+ Repeat 3 times, 2 times/day.
2.10. Hands behind back, chest out
- Posture:Sit cross-legged on the mat.
- How to do:
+ Place both hands behind your back, fingers facing outwards. Tilt your head back, arch your chest toward the ceiling, and inhale fully, hold your breath, and hold for 2 to 6 breaths.
+ Exhale completely, lower your arms and rest.
+ Do 3 repetitions, 2 times/day.
3. Notes when practicing
Practicing tai chi often brings some health benefits to patients. However, when practicing tai chi, patients need to pay attention to the following issues to achieve effective treatment and avoid unwanted things:
3.1 Good time of day to exercise:Pneumonia patients should not exercise on a full stomach. They should exercise early in the morning or at least two hours after eating. Practice every day for about 20 to 40 minutes.
3.2 When sick or during an acute attack of pneumonia:In this case, depending on each person's health condition, whether or not to do it is recommended. If possible, do not maintain the same intensity as when healthy, but can shorten the time to hold the breath or hold the movement, rest and relax for about 1 minute between each movement to avoid overexertion and avoid more fatigue.
3.3 How to exercise without harming the body or aggravating pneumonia
Pneumonia patients should warm up slowly and gently before exercising. Choose clothes suitable for the weather and quality shoes when exercising. Learn the exercises carefully to limit injuries and ineffectiveness. Do not exercise in a hurry. Perform the movements correctly as instructed in the exercise.
Breathing during exercise is divided into 4 main periods: Inhale, hold breath, exhale and rest, so depending on the needs and physical condition, the practitioner can perform appropriately with 2 or 3, 4 periods. Pay attention to nutrition and reasonable rest time. People with high blood pressure should not practice strenuous movements. People with herniated discs should not practice spinal compression movements. Do not perform exercises in cases of acute upper limb arthritis, sprains, dislocations, spinal injuries, and upper limb injuries.
