Temple Physical Therapy

Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a multidimensional program directed towards persons with a wide array of pulmonary diseases combining prescripted exercise with nutritional counseling, risk factor modification, and education. This comprehensive program includes a medical director (physician), advanced practice nurse practitioner, ACLS certified nurses, physical therapists, registered dieticians, and exercise physiologists. The goals of our program are to control and alleviate disease-related symptoms, optimize functional capacity, improve exercise tolerance, modify pulmonary risk factors, and improve the patients’ quality of life.

Who will benefit from Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) including;
        Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Individuals with Restrictive Pulmonary Disease including;
        Interstitial Diseases, Chest Wall Diseases, Neuromuscular and Neurological Diseases

Individuals with other associated lung conditions including;
        Lung Cancer, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, Pre and Post Lung Volume Reduction Surgery, Lung Transplantation, Occupational or Environmental Disease, Post-Thoracic Surgery, Morbid Obesity, Sleep Apnea

What are the benefits of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program?

Decrease Co-Morbidities and Health Risks
Increase Exercise Tolerance and Performance
Reduce Respiratory Symptoms
Reduced Hospitalizations and exacerbations
Enhanced Ability to Perform Activities of Daily Living
Return to Work
Improve Well-Being

What are the components of the program?
Every patient will receive a complete medical evaluation, including a physical exam, past medical history, family medical history, risk factor assessment, spirometry measurements, exercise tolerance and functional performance assessment, assessment of activities of daily living with dypsnea index, body mass index, muscular strength and flexibility assessment, nutritional assessment, and a psychosocial assessment. An individualized treatment program, including prescriptive exercise, respiratory muscle training, pulmonary risk factor modification, stress management, nutritional counseling, and patient education will be developed to meet the specific needs of each patient. Collaboration with Pulmonologists, Primary Care Providers, and additional members of the medical community are an integral component of our multidisciplinary approach and philosophy.

An emphasis is placed on continued independent exercise and a healthy lifestyle at the termination of the program.

Please call (203)498-5987, or fax a prescription with the patients name and phone number to (203)498-0662, to have your patient scheduled for our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.