What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an exercise and education programme designed for people with long-term lung disease who experience symptoms of breathlessness.
With the support of trained health professionals, such as physiotherapists and nurses a rehabilitation course will guide you to increase your activity levels, manage your breathlessness and educate you about self management of your lung condition.
What does the course involve?
Our 6 week pulmonary rehabilitation course includes:
- A face to face assessment to discuss your respiratory history and gain baseline measurements
- Group exercise sessions twice a week designed for individuals with a lung condition
- Education topics about managing your lung health (eg nutrition, inhaler technique, managing breathlessness and more)
- A friendly and supportive atmosphere
Aerobic exercise: Getting breathless through exercise helps improve lung capacity and cardiovascular fitness, reducing breathlessness over time. Strength training helps build muscle mass, which can be lost due to the lack of activity caused by breathlessness. Stronger muscles help daily activities like climbing stairs or carrying shopping bags easier.
You will always be monitored and will never be left unsupervised, or asked to do more than you really think you can.
How can the course help me?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is not a cure, however, it does help people maximise their physical ability. Patients have reported that following the six-week course, they are able to walk further and feel less tired and breathless while doing day-to-day tasks. Increasing knowledge about your lung condition can help you take better control of your symptoms. Together this will help improve confidence managing your condition, leading to improved wellbeing and quality of life.
What do patients say?
“Before rehab, I couldn’t even get to the shops without feeling exhausted. Now, I can go out and do more of the things I enjoy.”
“My breathing is so much easier and I can walk further without needing to stop. It’s truly made a difference in my life.”
“Staff go above and beyond to help and explain everything and make each session enjoyable.”
Where and when do they take place?
Forum Leisure Centre, Simonsway, Wythenshawe, M22 5RX Mondays and Wednesdays 1.15pm – 2.45pm
Ivy Church, Barlow Moor Rd, Didsbury, M20 2GP. Tuesdays and Thursdays 1.15pm-2.45pm
Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway, M22 1QW. Mondays and Fridays 10am-11.30am (Only run from April to September)
The assessment will take place at either
- Ivy Church, Barlow Moor Rd, Didsbury, M20 2GP (Thursday mornings)
- Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway, M22 1QW (Fridays)
This takes approximately an hour and covers a consultation about your respiratory history, current medications, health questionnaires and a walking exercise test. This is to ensure you are a safe to exercise and gain a baseline fitness measurement.
How do I get onto the course?
We either need a referral from a healthcare professional (usually GP or practice nurse) or if you have completed the programme before, you can self refer back after 1 year of finishing.
Contact the team
Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is run by the Community Respiratory Team based at Wythenshawe Hospital
Working hours 8am-6pm, 7 days a week
Mobile 07884753800 or call via hospital switchboard on 0161 998 7070