Recently heard about this from another post in the group and thought I'd go digging for some more info. I found this and a few other sites so am posting it here:
The patient/athlete is asked to hold the balloon with one hand and inhale through his/her nose with the tongue on the roof of the mouth (normal rest position) and then exhale through his/her mouth into the balloon. The inhalation, to about 75% of maximum, is typically 3-4 seconds in duration, and the complete exhalation is usually 5-8 seconds long followed by a 2-3 second pause.
This slowed breathing is thought to further relax the neuromuscular system/parasympathetic nervous system and generally decrease resting muscle tone. Ideally the patient/athlete will be able to inhale again without pinching off the balloon with their teeth, lips, or fingertips. This requires maintenance of intra-abdominal pressure to allow inhalation through the nose without the air coming back out of the balloon and into the mouth.
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Dmactds
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Atthe age of 4 I had TB.this was in the 1940s I was in hospital nearly 12months then had breathing exercises and blowing balloons up was one of the exercises. What goes around comes around
Just follow that yellow brick road...; I went out today and while doing laundry at the laundromat afterwards I picked up a small pack of balloons and have been practicing all day; most I did at one sitting was 10 in a row but eventually 15 altogether.
Don't put limitations on yourself until you've tried and then not even..., try again; it's cheap, what else do you have to do besides watch the telly and bemoan yer fate.
I only just started myself but I feel like anything else, it takes awhile to feel any improvement; I'm giving it two months or so, blowing up 15 a day one after the other..., see what happens.
To be honest, I haven't done the "laying on my back with my legs bent and a ball between my knees" routine; I've just been standing or sitting, whatever suits me and blowing up as many as I feel, I'm up to 15 now and probably will leave it there for a while. I am starting to feel a new tightness to my abdomen and a bit better generally..., seems promising but one never knows...., do one.
Very interesting, will give it a go myself. Thanks. Mike
All the docs say exercise is important; well..., exercise makes the lungs work and blowing up balloons does that in DOUBLES..!!! Several days ago I started blowing up a balloon 15 times in succession and then usually a few more off and on during the day...,but the 15 without fail. I can feel a difference in my posture, my abdomen muscles and my usual breathing pattern.
I was also advised recenly by a specialist to blow up balloons ,but did not say to lie flat. ive never been able to blow up balloons even when fit but its worth a try surely.
Yes..., but I did lay off for a couple of days because of a slight chest pain which I talked to my pulmonologist about; he advised that there were no nerve endings in the lungs themselves so the source of the pain (it wasn't really 'pain'..., more like a 'heightened awareness') was most likely from my chest muscles and other areas that have gotten little exercise since my hospitalization nearly 3 years ago.
I'll be back at it a bit later today after I get my regular 'comings and goings' done for the day and am 'slugging' in front of my video tube. The difference in my "physicalness" since I started the CoQ10 last November and in the couple of weeks since starting the "Balloon Blowout" is about 180 degrees and I look forward to even more progress.
For any who haven't, try either or both..., they worked for me...!!!
I'm not ever gonna run a mile in 3 minutes...., but then I never could before anyway....
Hey Duncan, You still blowing balloons up? I have started also. I count while I'm doing it. Also, counting when letting out a deep breath. Am improving. Rubyxx 😊
I did the balloon bit for a while but then decided since I could make them work like that, my lungs would benefit more by doing the actual stuff I have them for....,which is walking and otherwise moving around.
I'm about to decide that an even larger part of my problem is that my diaphragm muscle lost a lot of strength from un-use at one point. We all become lazy breathers as we age and for some it's worse than others.
I've begun even more conscientious pursed lip breathing and not eating like I used to simply because I don't need the calories..., I'm not as active as when I was even ten years younger and building cabinetry.
I find I'm constantly re-examining my life for ways I can improve and trying different things. Naturally, some work..., others..., not so much.
Hope you're doing well and that life is treating you exactly the way you want it to..., considering.
Me again.... I am doing the balloons, among other exercises. I'm working on my posture a lot. The way I sit, I'm crushing my diaphragm! Good one for you- lay on your back, put a book on your lower belly to exercise your diaphragm. Have a good Sunday😊 Rubyxx
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Pass the condiments please!
Is nasal breathing ( inhaling and exhaling through the nose) better for emphysema ?
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