Jerry M. Jackson, P.T.

Other than with cardiac problems, there is probably not one other physicologic function of our body which creates increased fear and anxiety like being short of breath.   If you are one who has shortness of breath because of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or otherchronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), then a prescribed and supervised physical therapy program may help to improve respiratory function and thereby decrease your shortness of breath and allow you to increase your activity level.

At TOTAL HEALTH Physical Therapy, we have the skill, knowledge, and experience to provide the following to our patients who have a history of chronic shortness of breath:

• A thorough evaluation of your respiratory functional ability, physical fitness and endurance.



• Education regarding the care and treatment of COPD along with breathing exercises and techniques.



• Exercise to strengthen and condition the muscles used in the breathing process.



• Instruction in the use of postural drainage techniques.



• Exercise/ambulation activities to improve endurance and physical fitness.



• An individual home exercise/activity program.

Through our program, we believe that our patients will increase their knowledge and have a better understanding of their respiratory disease process.   They will also be able to reach a higher level of function by breathing more efficiently and thereby improve their fitness.

It is a shock to most individuals when they learn and recognize that their bodies are "aging."   Research tells us that after the age of thirty, the functional decline for both men and women is one percent per year.   Simply stated, as we age, our strength, balance, coordination, agility, and especially our flexibility slowly decrease.

As we age, when we should be attempting to be more active, we do just the opposite, we become less active.   The progression of this problem becomes so devastating to many of us that we have to give up many of our favorite recreational and social activities.   This coupled with no change in our dietary habits then leads to increased body weight, more decreased activity and so on, i.e., deconditioning.

The answer to this problem does not focus around a "Fountain of Youth," but rather, the answer is EXERCISE and INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.   By exercising, it has been reported that we can reduce the "normal" effects of "aging" by at least fifty percent.   More importantly, exercise and increased physical activity increases endurance, stimulates proprioception (position sense) and increases our strength, all of which then improves our balance and coordination.

If you are someone who is in need of rejuvenation and you feel that exercise could help you to improve your quality of life, then please let our expert staff be of service to you.   At TOTAL HEALTH Physical Therapy one of our knowledgeable and skilled physical therapists will evaluate your posture, gait, strength, flexibility, mobility, coordination, and endurance.   We will then outline a plan of care specifically for you to meet your needs of improved health and independence.   Along with this, we will teach you a home program which you can perform at home and assist you with the establishment of an exercise program at your health club/facility.