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Breathing Techniques

Babette Parthum, RRTClinical CoordinatorRespiratory Therapy

● One of the most effective ways to control shortness of breath

● These techniques help move more air into and out of lungs with each breath

● Keeps airways open longer during exhalation.

● Lessens shortness of breath during exercise and other daily activities

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● Sit down or lie on your back so that you are relaxed.

● Put one hand on your upper chest and the other hand on your stomach just above your waist.

● Inhale slowly through your nose for at least 2 counts. As you inhale you should feel your stomach move out.

● Exhale through pursed lips for 4 counts. As you exhale you should feel your stomach move in.

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● Work against resistance.● Once you have mastered diaphragmatic

breathing, you can add a little weight.● Lie on the bed with a weight on your stomach

and do a few minutes of diaphragmatic breathing.

● Start with a lighter weight (bag of dried beans) and work up to a heavier weight (bag of flour).

● Relax neck and shoulder muscles.● Inhale slowly through your nose for at least

2 counts.● Purse (pucker) your lips as if you are

blowing out a candle.● Exhale slowly through your pursed lips for

4 counts (twice as long as you inhale).● Do Not force the air out of your lungs

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● Get a bottle of kids’ bubbles that comes with a wand.

● Follow the steps for pursed lip breathing.● If you have lots of little bubbles, you are

breathing too fast.● If you have no bubble, you are not breathing

hard enough.● Your goal should be one slow, big bubble that

hangs on the wand.*

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● Improves ventilation.● Keeps the airways open longer, decreasing the

work of breathing.● Prolongs exhalation to control the breathing rate.● Improves breathing patterns by moving old air

out of the lungs and allowing for new air to enter the lungs.

● Releases trapped air in the lungs by opening up the airways enough to release more air.

● Relieves shortness of breath.

Tips to Breathing BetterStopStopstop

When you feel short of breath:Stop, Reset, Continue

● Stop your activity.● Reset by sitting down, relax your shoulders,

and do pursed-lips breathing until you catch your breath.

● Continue activity, doing pursed-lips breathing as you go. Go at a slower pace if you need to.

References

● American Lung Association● COPD Foundation● National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute