How often do you think about breathing? For most of us, the answer is "almost never." Perhaps we think about breathing when we are underwater, or when we have the breath knocked out of us, or when we're breathing hard during a particularly strenuous exercise. Essentially, we seem to think about breathing most when we can't breathe right--and while that allows us to focus on other things in our everyday lives, it also works against us when breathing isn't so easy. Whenever we have difficulty breathing, it seems that's all we can think about. Luckily, with Respiratory Splinting, breathing can become easy and natural again.
Catch Your Breath
There are various reasons why breathing may become difficult and thus take up substantial space in our focus. It all boils down to the way our bodies are put together. The muscles and bones involved in breathing also happen to be the muscles and bones easily disturbed by trauma, surgery, and illness--and that means breathing can become difficult in a variety of situations. Breaking a rib is enough to make every breath noticeably more difficult. So is flexing a stitched muscle, moving the wrong way, or aggravating a surgical incision. Essentially, anything that disturbs the chest area will likely disturb breathing too--and that's where Respiratory Splinting comes in.
Breathe Easier
Respiratory Splinting can work in a variety of situations to make breathing the almost-unnoticeable aspect of life that it usually is. Here's a quick look at the applications of Respiratory Splinting!
- Trauma. Accidents happen every day. Luckily, not all of them result in trauma--but for those that do, some form of Respiratory Splinting might just save the day. When an emergency causes difficulty breathing due to fractures or other trauma, splinting can be automatic--for example, holding the body a certain way, or using the arm to hold the ribs. Emergency service professionals may also administer Respiratory Splinting to aid breathing.
- Surgery. After surgery, breathing becomes something that we focus on much more than usual. Respiratory Splinting can ease the discomfort caused by incisions and the "controlled trauma" of surgery, allowing a cough, a deep breath, or breathing exercises to be easier and more natural.
- Creative splinting. Occasionally, medical assistance and devices aren't available, and Respiratory Splinting has to be done creatively. This can be accomplished by pressing a pillow gently but firmly over the chest or side, making deep breaths more comfortable and helping restore some level of ease to the act of breathing itself.
Interested in Respiratory Splinting and its countless applications? Contact us today!