New COPD DVD Strengthens Breathing Muscles

Online, April 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Suzanne Andrews, host of Functional Fitness on PBS TV, has medically documented the results of specific fitness and breathing exercises that focus on improving functional lung capacity. Using a pulseoximeter, a device that measures oxygen saturation and heart rate, Andrews has medically documented how specific breathing and pulmonary fitness techniques in a COPD patient can increase oxygen saturation up to 10 points and lower heart rate to a healthier range within 10 seconds. A healthy person has oxygen saturation of 90 and up. However, people with COPD fall below that line. Andrews often begins treatment with patients whose oxygen is in the 70 - 80's. Through specific pulmonary rehabilitation techniques, she has successfully increased peoples oxygen to that of a healthy person, enabling the person to live a functional life with more energy.

With an extensive background in pulmonary rehabilitation, Andrews states, "Being functional with COPD and asthma begins with learning how your respiratory muscles help you to breathe. Your diaphragm, which covers the lower chest area, helps you draws air into the lungs. Your abdominal muscles work with the diaphragm when you exhale. And the intercostal muscles around your ribs allow the ribcage to expand when you inhale. With correct techniques people with COPD can learn how to strengthen their breathing muscles."

Since not everyone with COPD has the option to attend pulmonary therapy, Andrews was prompted to produce Functional Fitness COPD as an excellent adjunct to a COPD patient plan of care and is available in doctor's offices and online and is shipped throughout the Unites States, Canada and UK.
The DVD can be previewed at
http://www.healthwiseexercise.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16171&category_id=103