I always try to look for treatments that use non-pharmaceutical therapies. Things like using gargle or saline spray rather than some prescription or even over the counter medication. Here is one type of therapy for patients with COPD that I found interesting.
Not all therapies are designed to cure your problem some are just there to relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. The use of singing has recently been explored to see if the techniques used in singing can help patients with COPD. I am sure most of you know that pulmonary rehabilitation uses a variety of breathing techniques to help patients feel better. Well, music in general and singing in particular have demonstrated the ability to improve the quality of life of patients with COPD. When you are singing you need to use your diaphragm and sustain notes while changing airway pressure and using the muscles of the chest cage. These are very often the same types of maneuvers used in pulmonary rehabilitation classes.
Singing acts as a vigorous breathing exercise that can lead to multiple benefits including improving mood, providing social connections and reducing feeling of isolation. It can also increase control over breathing patterns and reduce stress.
The Temple Lung Center in Philadelphia is piloting a qualitative music therapy research program focused on wellness. You can do your own research. Get involved with your church or club singing groups or just make it a point to sing to the radio while at home during the day.
