Introduction

It is a common belief—especially among non-physiotherapists—that physiotherapists only deal with bones and joints. While efforts are ongoing to change this notion, today's post on The Physio Diary introduces you to another vital service a physiotherapist can provide: helping individuals with asthma.

Yes, you read that right — ASTHMA.

Understanding Asthma

You’ve probably heard of asthma but may not fully understand what happens in the body. Let’s break it down.

In a person without asthma, the airways (tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs) are wide open, allowing air to flow freely. These airways normally produce a thin layer of mucus that helps trap dust, germs, and other particles. Tiny hairs called cilia then move the mucus upward and out of the lungs. Now, let’s contrast that with someone who has asthma.

During an asthma attack, the person may experience tightness in the chest, wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath. These symptoms are caused by three main changes in the airways:

Inflammation – the airway lining swells and becomes red and sensitive.
Muscle tightening – the muscles around the airways constrict, narrowing the tube.
Excess mucus production – thick mucus clogs the already-narrowed airway.

To visualize this, take a straw. Try blowing through it — easy, right? Now imagine the inside of the straw swelling up, the outside tightening, and a blob of sticky mucus stuck in the middle. Suddenly, it's hard to blow air through. That’s what someone with asthma feels during an attack. Triggers like dust, pollen, pets, cold air, exercise, pollution, stress, or strong emotions can start this reaction. You might have seen someone reach for Ventolin or Salbutamol — these medications work by relaxing the airway muscles and opening the passage again.

Most people are aware of the medical management of asthma. But did you know a physiotherapist can also play a key role?

What Can a Physiotherapist Do for Someone with Asthma?

Breathing Pattern Retraining

During an attack, people tend to breathe from their upper chest — shallow and rapid. But the most efficient way to breathe is using your diaphragm, the muscle at the base of your lungs. So here’s a simple exercise:

Sit or lie down comfortably.
Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
Inhale slowly through your nose and try to make only your belly rise (not your chest).
Then, exhale through pursed lips (like blowing out a candle) and let your belly fall.
Do this for 5–10 minutes daily.

Over time, it helps reduce breathlessness and improves oxygen intake.

Postural Drainage

This technique is especially helpful for individuals who have difficulty clearing mucus — such as those who are severely ill or bedridden. Postural drainage uses gravity and positioning to help drain mucus from different parts of the lungs. While it's typically done in a hospital or under supervision, we’ll share a DIY guide on how to position someone properly in our Thursday post.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways a physiotherapist can support someone with asthma — from exercise planning to chest mobility and relaxation techniques. But in this post, we’ve simplified it to two of the most practical and foundational approaches: breathing retraining and postural drainage.

If you or someone you know has asthma and would like to explore how physiotherapy can help, feel free to reach out:

Email: thephysiodiary@gmail.com

Phone: +2348126973878