Alta Bates Summit Pulmonary Rehabilitation

When you need support to manage a respiratory tract or lung-related condition, pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab) programs at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center can help.

Our programs are conducted by highly skilled multidisciplinary teams of experienced pulmonary specialists. Our program is nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Our dedicated staff provides a wide range of diagnostic procedures, respiratory therapy services, assistance for emergency resuscitation situations, and education for patients and their families.

Your rehab team will work in coordination with your doctor to identify techniques that will help you manage your lung-related condition. Most treatment plans include conditioning exercises, nutritional counseling, and medication and inhaler management.

Depending on your medical history and doctor’s recommendations, your treatment plan may also include:

Breathing Retraining

These breathing techniques may strengthen the muscles that help you breathe in and out. For self-directed breathing exercises, an incentive spirometer is commonly used to teach you how to take slow, deep breaths. You may also learn deep breathing exercises that do not require devices, like pursed lip breathing.

Airway Clearance Techniques

Your rehab team may also teach you other techniques to remove mucus from your airways. You may be taught how to use a controlled deep cough to bring up mucus or how to use huff coughing, which is less forceful and less tiring than a cough.

Education and Support

We make education a cornerstone of your pulmonary rehab plan. In addition to consultations from rehab team members, you may be encouraged to attend a:

• Pulmonary rehabilitation class
• Post rehabilitation exercise maintenance program