On this page
Understanding Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD characterised by a persistent productive cough lasting at least three months per year for two consecutive years. The airway inflammation and excess mucus production cause breathing difficulty, recurrent infections, and reduced exercise tolerance. It is commonly caused by smoking, air pollution, and occupational exposure to irritants.
Physiotherapy for Chronic Bronchitis
- Airway clearance techniques: Regular chest physiotherapy using active cycle of breathing, autogenic drainage, and oscillatory PEP devices helps clear excess mucus and reduce infection risk.
- Breathing retraining: Diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing improve ventilation efficiency and reduce the work of breathing.
- Exercise training: Graded aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular fitness and reduces breathlessness during daily activities.
- Sputum management education: Your therapist teaches self-management techniques for independent airway clearance between sessions.
- Exacerbation management: During flare-ups, increased physiotherapy frequency helps prevent hospital admission.
Home-Based Respiratory Care
Chronic bronchitis requires ongoing management rather than a one-time fix. Home-based physiotherapy allows consistent, long-term care without the burden of clinic visits. Your PhysioWay therapist establishes a daily self-management routine, provides seasonal advice for managing worsening symptoms during winter and high-pollution periods, and ensures your inhaler technique and nebuliser use are correct.