Pulmonary Rehabilitation is an education and exercise program that helps you manage your breathing problems, increase your stamina and decrease your breathlessness. Respiratory therapists and exercise physiologists develop a personal treatment plan for you, overseen by a doctor.
Contact the SMCS Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at (916) 887-5179.
Who can participate in Pulmonary Rehab?
Almost everyone with a breathing problem can benefit from pulmonary rehab, even if you have advanced disease. Some diagnoses include:
- COPD; (includes emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis)
- Persistent asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Interstitial lung disease (i.e. pulmonary fibrosis)
- Lung cancer and after lung cancer surgery
- Occupational or environmental lung disease
- Pre and post lung transplant
What are the benefits of Pulmonary Rehab?
Pulmonary Rehab can help you:
- Experience less difficulty with breathing
- Increase your muscle strength and activity stamina
- Improve your ability to cope with daily activities
- Understand more about your medicines and how to take them
- Reduce anxiety and depression related to your breathing
- Reduce hospitalizations
- Improve your quality of life
Our program at Sutter Medical Center Sacramento
- 8 weeks in length; 2 sessions per week, 2 hours each session.
- Each session includes education on pulmonary topics and exercise.
- Exercise is individualized to your current ability and performed in a closely monitored safe manner. We also help you create a home exercise plan.
- Education is provided to help you understand your specific disease and medications, breathing retraining, mucous clearance techniques, nutrition, how to prevent lung infections, anxiety and stress reduction, oxygen use, advanced planning and other topics.
Insurance Coverage
Pulmonary Rehab is covered by most insurances for qualified patients. However, some plans require pre-authorization prior to starting the program. Check with your insurance provider for any specific requirements.
Enrollment
You need a referral from your doctor and a qualifying pulmonary function test performed within the last 12 months prior to starting pulmonary rehab.
