Breathing Exercises for Relaxation or COPD - Ask Doctor Jo

Pulmonary exercises are very important to people with COPD or even people looking to have stronger lungs. Many breathing techniques can also reduce stress and relax your body. With all breathing exercises, inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth with your lips pursed.

The first breathing exercise is very simple. Breath in through your nose for 2 seconds and breath out through your mouth with pursed lips for 4 seconds. Do this 10 times.

Now you are going to move your arms with the breathing to loosen up the muscles around your chest area. Put your arms out in front of you and clasp your hands together. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and as you are breathing out through your mouth, twist your trunk, moving your arms side to side. Repeat this 5 times.

Next is the "chicken wing" exercise. Place your hands on your shoulders, which will make you look like you have chicken wings. Take a deep breath in and make circles with your arms as you are breathing out. Repeat this 5 times.

Breathing with your diaphragm, or belly breathing, is a great way to relax. Instead of your chest rising when you breath, you want your stomach to move in and out. To make sure you are doing this correctly, you can place your hands on your stomach with your fingers almost interlocking. When you breathe in and out, your fingers should get closer together and further apart. Do this 5 times.

Finally is a technique that helps push out all your reserve oxygen and helps get your lungs stronger. You want to forcefully blow all your air out of your lungs. At the end, you will hold your breath and swallow or try to breathe back in without taking a breath. This will make a suction like feeling in the notch at your throat. Try to hold it as long as you can, but since you have pushed all the air out, it might not be for very long. When you take a breath in, it will make a suction like noise if you have done it right. Repeat 5 times.

DISCLAIMER: This video and any related comments are not medical advice. Doctor Jo is a licensed Physical Therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy; however, she is not YOUR Physical Therapist and can't possibly diagnose you through the Internet. So don't use this information to avoid going to your own healthcare professional or to replace the advice they have given you. This information is only intended to show you the correct technique for physical therapy exercises and should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any medical condition. If you are not properly diagnosed, this information won't help, and it could make things worse. So seriously, check with your healthcare professional before doing these techniques. If you experience any pain or difficulty while doing these exercises, stop immediately and see your healthcare professional.

[AskDoctorJo]

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[AskDoctorJo]

I'll hold my breath until you watch my new video about breathing exercises for COPD. It's also great for people who want to be able to hold their breath longer. Happy Friday!

[iamnotgwenchana]

It's 7 Am and I can't sleep because of my short breatheness while laying down. Please can you give some tips to breathe properly while laying down on the bed.❓

[shanc]

I'm 26 years old and currently recovering from a pulmonary embolism that went undiagnosed for a long time. It's very frustrating what little support for recovery is available with this condition! I want nothing more than to get back to the gym and do my favorite activities again, so I'm using your video to aid my healing process. Thank you for sharing it!

[AskDoctorJo]

Today is the Great American Smokeout! So if it's your first day of not smoking, CONGRATS! Here are some simple breathing exercises to help increase your lung capacity now that you're smoke free... or if you're already smoke free :-)

[robertgalbraith]

I am 85 with bad COPD from 45 to 85 And never had MY MD suggested this just MORE PILLS was his answer, i practiced holding breath for a week now and whet from 25 to 45 seconds..Starting today i will practice your method starting daily for 1 hr. Thanks for this video God Bless you😉

[tiyasasaha]

I have been suffering from cough for last one year, was taking duolin inhaler for immediate relief. Doctors could not diagnose the reason of this chronic cough. Then I found your video, and started doing these exercises 3-4 times a day for last one week. And I need not take my inhaler henceforth as the coughing problem reduced significantly. These lung exercises worked like magic. Thank you so much for this great treatment advice. Love from India.

[geethikaravella]

thank you so much doctor jo, for giving amazing breathing exercises.❤️

[VoyagingAdicto]

Me at 4am watching this to get rid of my Breathlessness!!! Wow.... Your video saved me as usual doctor Joe. Thank you :)

[SB-zyeq]

I’m only 20 and whenever i got muscle/body pain Doctor Jo is my go every time!!❤️❤️ love your channel so much! Sending Love from Belgium ❤️ stay healthy x

[srikanthvasireddy]

Outstanding. Simple Techniques yet outstanding relief. Thanks Dr. Jo for sharing these with us.

[josue_dsgn]

I suffer from panic attacks, hopefully this helps. I literally feel like im going to die when it happens.

[electrology]

I really appreciate all the help you provide to people who needs help. My knee had been giving me a lot of trouble of late and the stretching exercise videos you posted helped me a lot. God bless you.

[debra]

Thanks, Doctor Jo. I have acute COPD. Today is especially rough. I felt better after completing the breathing exercises and will do them often.

[manjumeenakshi]

All my reports are normals. Lungs and heart. But still shortness of breathing trouble is here.

[mad-cyantist]

I'm here to prepare for the Covid-19

[snehaa_x.]

Mam, I have occasional shortness of breath, this exercise of yours helped a lot!🙏

[theworldofk-pop]

Thanks Doctor Jo! It helps me calm down for my High School Finals!

[yogawithyuktiness]

I would like to appreciate how you have showed breathing techniques to cure COPD in a really simple and effective way DR. JO... Thanku for helping a lot of people cope up with such kind of problems through your videos and simple breathing exercises. I am a Breathing Fitness Expert myself promoting Breath Awareness among people.

[mallialmodal]

I searched for some breathing exercises and I found yours.It's a great help because I just experienced like something blocking my air way whenever I took a deep breath .Thank you for this.