Respiratory Conditions

Respiratory conditions refer to problems of the upper (nose, pharynx, and larynx) and lower (trachea, bronchia, and lungs) respiratory system. Common upper respiratory conditions include rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, common cold, whereas asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysyma, pneumonia etc. are associated with the lower respiratory system.

Therapeutic Approach

The role of the clinician in that situation is complementary and the patient needs a specialist’s attention if suffers from an acute episode. The individual has to be evaluated primarily from a lung specialist (pneumologist) and there should be no need for hospitalization. Nevertheless, medical history taking and physical evaluation (breath sounds, thorax movement etc.) are necessary before the clinician proceeds into the execution of any manipulative technique on the patient’s body. The techniques aim at improving the quality of the movement of the thorax, thoracic diaphragm, cervical and thoracic spine. In simple respiratory cases the clinician may suggest the use of nutritional supplements e.g. vitamins, herbs, and specific exercises.