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Pursed Lip Breathing

Pursed lip breathing is a breathing technique that can increase your blood oxygen saturation, can increase the amount of air entering your lungs and can control shortness of breath. Done properly and in conjunction with diaphragmatic breathing can assist expand areas of the lungs that are not being adequately ventilated.

What does pursed lip breathing do?

Improves ventilation
Can increase oxygen saturation (Pulse Oximeter required to monitor)
Releases trapped air in the lungs
Keeps the airways open longer and decreases the work of breathing
Prolongs exhalation to slow the breathing rate
Improves breathing patterns by moving old air out of the lungs and allowing for new air to enter the lungs
Relieves shortness of breath
Relaxation

When should I use this technique?

Use pursed lip breathing post operatively to assure deep breathing technique.

Use during the difficult part of any activity, such as bending, lifting or stair climbing.

Practice this technique 4-5 times a day at first so you can get the correct breathing pattern.

Pursed lip breathing can be done anywhere. For practicing, sit upright, legs uncrossed and hands resting comfortably on your thighs.

1. Relax your neck and shoulder muscles.
2. Breathe in (inhale) slowly through your nose for three counts, keeping your mouth closed. You do not have to take a deep breath; a normal breath will do. It is good practice to try a deeper breath from time to time, a count of four or five, if you are post operative or are trying to maximum the depth of your inhalation. It may help to count to yourself as you inhale: one, two, three.

3. Pucker or "purse" your lips as if you were going to whistle or gently flicker the flame of a candle. (figure to right)

4. Breathe out (exhale) slowly and gently through your pursed lips while counting. Your exhalation should be close to twice as long as your inhalation. It may help to count to yourself as you exhale: one, two, three, four, five, six.

With regular practice, pursed lip breathing will become natural to you. In fact, if you ever see "elite" runners during a race you will see them using this same technique. As we tell all our customers, remember to: "Smell the roses and slowly blow-out the candles".

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