New DVD for COPD Boosts Oxygen Saturation

April 14, 2010 - PRLog -- A 2009 study from German researchers published in Wien Klin Wochenschr found that in 100 COPD patients who followed a pulmonary rehabilitation program for one year enjoyed a 38 percent increase in exercise endurance, as well as a 33 percent increase in upper body strength and a 54 percent increase in lower body strength.

Additionally, studies have shown that upper body strength training helps improve oxygen capacity. A study from Chest found that 21 COPD patients who performed simple arm exercises of lifting their arms 90º in front of them experienced a 29% increase in their volume of oxygen.

COPD exercise also relieves stress, improves mood, helps one think more clearly, and most importantly improves oxygen saturation.  Getting instruction from a trained expert can dramatically improve one's lung power with medically proven techniques to boost oxygen saturation to a higher level.

Since not everyone with COPD has the option to attend pulmonary therapy, Suzanne Andrews, host of Functional Fitness, PBS TV and occupational therapy practitioner with extensive pulmonary rehab experience was prompted to produce Functional Fitness COPD/Asthma DVD with the main goal to improve the quality of life for people living with pulmonary disease.  

Andrews,  has medically documented the results of specific fitness and breathing exercises that focus on improving functional lung capacity. Using a pulseoximeter, a device that measures oxygen saturation and heart rate, Andrews has medically documented how specific breathing and pulmonary fitness techniques in a COPD patient can increase oxygen saturation up to 30% and halt shortness of breath.  A healthy person has oxygen saturation of 90 and up.  However, people with COPD fall below that line.  Andrews often begins treatment with patients whose oxygen is in the 70 - 80's.   Through specific pulmonary rehabilitation techniques, she has successfully increased peoples oxygen to that of a healthy person, enabling the person to live a functional life with more energy. A former patient with only one lung states what helped him overcome this debilitating disease in this
COPD Success Story
http://youtu.be/rKOScLIAiqw



"The key," states Andrews, " is the person has to be committed to doing the program.  One gets out of it what they put into it and the sooner they begin, the better off they are."  The Functional Fitness COPD/Asthma DVD instructs participants how to strengthen breathing muscles without fancy medical jargon and is an excellent alternative for those unable to undergo a traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program. Functional Fitness COPD/Asthma DVD is shipped throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia.

The DVD was favorably reviewed by a medical review board. Learn more at at
http://www.healthwiseexercise.com

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Host of Functional Fitness on PBS TV, president of Healthwise exercise and occupational therapy practitioner, Suzanne Andrews specializes in increasing your ability to live better, longer and healthier regardless of your age or ability level. The DVD can be previewed at
http://www.healthwiseexercise.com