Service overview
Respiratory physiotherapy is a specialised field of physical therapy focused on assessing and treating breathing and lung conditions. It helps people with chronic lung diseases like asthma, COPD, or bronchiectasis, as well as those recovering from chest trauma or surgery. Techniques include airway clearance to remove mucus, exercises to improve breathing patterns, and strategies for self-management to enhance lung function and quality of life.
This page aims to be a central hub for all of your respiratory resources providing links to useful information and prompts for respiratory self-management.
PLEASE ONLY USE THESE TECHNIQUES IF ADVISED BY YOUR PHYSIOTHERAPIST. PLEASE DISCONTINUE ANY TECHNIQUE THAT CAUSES PAIN OR DISCOMFORT AT ALL.
Who we treat
We treat patients with long term lung conditions such as COPD, Bronchiectasis, ILD and Asthma. We also offer assessment and breathing pattern retraining for those with dysfunctional breathing patterns/ hyperventilation syndrome.
We do also accept patients suffering with airway clearance or breathlessness without a respiratory diagnosis providing they are reviewed by a doctor first.
Click here for information about Asthma
Click here for information about Bronchiectasis
Click here for information about Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Useful Links & Information
Our Service offers a detailed respiratory assessment for people with an existing respiratory condition or suffering from respiratory complaints. We offer bespoke self-management plans & advice for patients with long term lung conditions, airway clearance advice, breathlessness management and breathing pattern retraining. We also offer multidisciplinary clinics for certain patient groups.
Want to be referred?
Referrals can be sent by GP or respiratory health care professionals (physios, respiratory CNS and Consultants).
ACBT:
The Active cycle of breathing technique is a series of breathing exercises, involving Breathing Control, Deep Breathing, and Huffing, used to clear mucus (sputum) from the airways to improve breathing and prevent infection (ACPRC)
Click here to read The Active Cycle of Breathing Technique patient information leaflet.
Click here to watch The Active Cycle of Breathing Technique patient information video.
Postural Drainage:
Postural drainage is a technique that involves laying/ sitting in certain positions to drain secretions from your airways using gravity.
Click here to read the Postural Drainage patient information leaflet.
OPEP:
A medical device that helps clear mucus from airways by creating resistance and vibration during exhalation.
Click here to watch the OPEP patient information video.
Bubble Pep:
A physiotherapy technique that uses a bottle of water and a tube to help clear mucus and phlegm from the lungs. You breathe out through the tube to make big bubbles in the water, which creates pressure that helps air move into the smaller airways.
Click here to watch the Bubble Pep patient information video.
Regular movement is good for your lungs because it increases the strength of the muscles around your lungs and the rest of your body. As you build strength, your muscles will need less oxygen to work. This means you will be able to breathe more easily when you’re active. Being active can also help you sleep better and improve your mental health and wellbeing
- Everyday Active - Are you ready to start moving more in your everyday life?
- Kent County Council - Get moving
- Healthy Living Centre Dartford - Reducing health inequalities and improving health & wellbeing in Dartford
- The Grand - Free daytime fitness classes
- Your Life, Your Choice Bexley - Help and support at your fingertips
NHS pulmonary rehabilitation is a structured exercise and education programme for people with chronic lung conditions, like COPD, to help them manage breathlessness and improve their ability to do daily activities- please ask your GP, Respiratory nurse or physio to refer you.
Breathlessness (or dyspnoea), is the uncomfortable or distressing sensation of not being able to get enough air or breathe deeply enough.
It is important not to avoid activity due to fear of breathlessness, instead try some of the tips in our managing breathlessness leaflet to recover and carry on.
Click here to read the Managing Breathlessness patient information leaflet.
Click here to watch the Managing Breathlessness useful tips for patients video.