Physiotherapy Exercises for Lungs Strengthening

By now all of us know that Covid-19 causes infection in the lungs, which leads to breathlessness and the formation of mucus. In severe infection, it can also result in pneumonia which means that we must work on strengthening our lungs and clear the air passage when suffering from Covid-19 or even post-infection. So here are some easy exercises that you can perform at home while recovering. 

    • Pursed lips breathing

In this method, you inhale through your nose and exhale slowly by pursing your lips. It helps keep airways open for a longer time so that you can remove the air trapped in your lungs. 

    • Balloon blowing exercise 

This exercise helps in enhancing pulmonary function, respiratory function and improves respiratory muscle strength. 

    • Diaphragmatic breathing

It is also called abdominal breathing and involves completely engaging the stomach, abdominal muscles, and diaphragm when breathing. It is helpful in slowing down the heart rate and stabilizing blood pressure. 

    • Straw exercise 

This is an easy exercise that will help in increasing your lung strength. You need a straw and a half glass of water. 

    • Exercising with spirometer

By doing this exercise your lungs will be able to inflate to their capacity. It breaks the fluid in the lungs that can cause breathing difficulty and pneumonia. 

    • Humming 

Any exercise that works the abdominal muscles also helps the lungs. A simple humming can increase your lung capacity and will also force stale air to go out of the lungs.

 

Take it slow and gradually increase your number of repetitions, else it will leave you breathless.