Lecture 1: Pursed Lip and Diaphragmatic Breathing

A presentation created for Pulmonary Rehab for breathing techniques. Overview of pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing.

1. *
Breathing Techniques
Babette Parthum, RRT
Clinical Coordinator
Respiratory Therapy

2. ●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
*

3. ●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.
*

4. ●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).

6. ●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
*

7. ●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.
*

9. *
●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.

10. Tips to Breathing Better
StopStopstop
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.

11. References
●American Lung Association
●COPD Foundation
●National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute