தமிழ்हिन्दीతెలుగుಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംEnglish

🫁 Breathing & chest · சுவாசம்

Breathing & chest exercises: 8 home rehab exercises with Tamil names, doses and steps

Breathing exercises are an important part of recovery after surgery, after COVID-19 and for long-term lung conditions such as COPD and bronchiectasis. After an operation, pain and time in bed make it harder to take deep breaths and clear phlegm. With COPD or post-COVID breathlessness, everyday tasks like climbing stairs or bathing can feel tiring. These exercises help the lungs expand, move phlegm, control breathlessness and ease a tight chest. They are simple to learn and most can be done sitting in a chair. Your physiotherapist will choose the right techniques for you and set how often to do them.

In short: Start with diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing, about 10 breaths whenever you feel breathless. After surgery, use incentive spirometry or thoracic expansion breaths about 10 times every hour while awake, and support the wound with a pillow to huff or cough. To clear phlegm, use the active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) for about 10 minutes once or twice a day.

Used for

  • After abdominal or chest surgery
  • Recovery after COVID-19
  • COPD and chronic bronchitis
  • Bronchiectasis and phlegm build-up
  • Breathlessness with daily activity
  • After a long hospital or ICU stay

The 8 exercises on this page

  1. Diaphragmatic breathing · உதரவிதான சுவாசம் · 10 breaths
  2. Pursed-lip breathing · உதடு குவித்து சுவாசித்தல் · 10 breaths
  3. Thoracic expansion breaths · மார்பு விரிவு சுவாசம் · 2×5 breaths
  4. Huffing · ஹஃப் செய்தல் (வேகமாக மூச்சு வெளிவிடுதல்) · 2–3 huffs
  5. Active cycle of breathing (ACBT) · செயல்முறை சுழற்சி சுவாச நுட்பம் (ACBT) · 10 min
  6. Incentive spirometry · இன்சென்டிவ் ஸ்பைரோமீட்டர் பயிற்சி · 10 breaths
  7. Supported cough with pillow · தலையணை அழுத்தி இருமுதல் · 2–3 coughs
  8. Chest-opening stretch · மார்பு திறக்கும் நீட்சி · 3×20 s

How to perform each exercise

Dose shown is a common starting point; your physiotherapist sets yours. Inside Physio Clinic Software these exercises go to patients on WhatsApp with a daily check-in in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, English. There are no recorded videos yet; clinics can link their own video to any exercise. Exercises are for use under a physiotherapist's guidance.

Exercise 1 · Sitting

Diaphragmatic breathing · உதரவிதான சுவாசம்

10 breaths6 languages

Also called tummy breathing, this encourages the diaphragm to do more of the work of breathing. It helps people with COPD, those recovering from COVID-19 and patients after surgery breathe more efficiently and feel calmer when breathless. Practise first when you are calm and rested.

How to perform it

  1. Sit comfortably supported, or lie with knees bent, shoulders relaxed.
  2. Place one hand on the upper chest and one on the tummy.
  3. Breathe in slowly through the nose, letting the tummy rise while the chest stays quiet.
  4. Breathe out gently through the mouth, letting the tummy fall.
Take care

Breathe gently without forcing; if you feel light-headed, stop and breathe normally for a minute.

Exercise 2 · Sitting

Pursed-lip breathing · உதடு குவித்து சுவாசித்தல்

10 breaths6 languages

Breathing out slowly through gently pursed lips, as if cooling hot tea, helps keep the airways open for longer. It is widely taught for COPD and post-COVID breathlessness and is useful while walking, climbing stairs or doing any activity that makes you breathless.

How to perform it

  1. Sit relaxed with the shoulders down.
  2. Breathe in through the nose for a count of two.
  3. Purse the lips as if about to whistle.
  4. Breathe out slowly through the lips for a count of four, without forcing.
Take care

Do not blow hard; if breathlessness does not settle with rest, seek medical help.

Exercise 3 · Sitting

Thoracic expansion breaths · மார்பு விரிவு சுவாசம்

2×5 breaths6 languages

Deep breaths in with a short hold help open up the lower parts of the lungs, which often do not inflate fully after surgery or illness. They help loosen phlegm and are a key part of the active cycle of breathing technique.

How to perform it

  1. Sit upright with your hands resting on the sides of the lower ribs.
  2. Take a slow, deep breath in, feeling the ribs move out into your hands.
  3. Hold the breath for about 3 seconds at the top, if comfortable.
  4. Breathe out gently and relax, then rest with normal breathing before the next set.
Take care

Take no more than 3–5 deep breaths in a row to avoid dizziness, and rest between sets.

Exercise 4 · Sitting

Huffing · ஹஃப் செய்தல் (வேகமாக மூச்சு வெளிவிடுதல்)

2–3 huffs6 languages

A huff is a forced breath out with the mouth open, as if fogging up a mirror. It moves phlegm from the smaller airways towards the throat with less effort and strain than repeated coughing, and is a key part of chest clearance.

How to perform it

  1. Sit upright and take a medium-sized breath in.
  2. Open the mouth and throat in an "O" shape.
  3. Breathe out steadily and quickly, as if fogging a mirror.
  4. Do 1–2 huffs, then cough once if the phlegm is ready to clear.
Take care

Avoid long bouts of forceful coughing; after abdominal or chest surgery, support the wound with a pillow when you huff.

Exercise 5 · Sitting

Active cycle of breathing (ACBT) · செயல்முறை சுழற்சி சுவாச நுட்பம் (ACBT)

10 min6 languages

ACBT is a set cycle that combines relaxed breathing, deep expansion breaths and huffing to clear phlegm from the lungs. It is widely used after surgery, in bronchiectasis and in COPD, and can be done on your own once you have learned it.

How to perform it

  1. Do relaxed breathing control for 20–30 seconds.
  2. Take 3–4 deep thoracic expansion breaths.
  3. Return to relaxed breathing control.
  4. Do 1–2 huffs, then go back to breathing control and repeat the cycle until the chest feels clearer.
Take care

Stop if you feel tired or dizzy, and contact a doctor if the phlegm is blood-stained or changes colour with fever.

Exercise 6 · Sitting

Incentive spirometry · இன்சென்டிவ் ஸ்பைரோமீட்டர் பயிற்சி

10 breaths6 languages

An incentive spirometer is a small plastic device that shows how deeply you are breathing in. Using it after surgery encourages slow, deep breaths that help keep the lungs expanded while you are less active than usual. Follow the targets set by your hospital team.

How to perform it

  1. Sit upright, hold the device level and seal your lips around the mouthpiece.
  2. Breathe out normally, then breathe in slowly and deeply so the indicator rises.
  3. Hold the breath for about 3 seconds, then remove the mouthpiece and breathe out.
  4. Rest for a few normal breaths between each one; repeat about 10 times every hour while awake, or as advised.
Take care

Breathe in slowly rather than quickly, and rest if you feel dizzy.

Exercise 7 · Sitting

Supported cough with pillow · தலையணை அழுத்தி இருமுதல்

2–3 coughs6 languages

Hugging a pillow firmly against the wound supports the stitches and reduces pain when coughing after abdominal or chest surgery. This makes it easier to cough effectively and clear phlegm, which helps protect the lungs during recovery. Keep a pillow handy for sneezes too.

How to perform it

  1. Sit upright, leaning slightly forward, with a folded pillow or towel over the wound.
  2. Hold the pillow firmly with both arms.
  3. Take a deep breath in.
  4. Cough strongly once or twice while pressing the pillow against the wound.
Take care

Contact the surgical team if the wound leaks or bleeds, or if pain suddenly increases.

Exercise 8 · Sitting

Chest-opening stretch · மார்பு திறக்கும் நீட்சி

3×20 s6 languages

Opening the arms and chest stretches tight chest and shoulder muscles that can make breathing feel restricted. It helps people with COPD and those recovering from illness who have spent long periods sitting hunched forward. Combine it with slow, relaxed breathing.

How to perform it

  1. Sit tall on a chair with feet flat.
  2. Place the hands behind the head, or on the shoulders, with elbows pointing forward.
  3. Open the elbows out to the sides as you breathe in, lifting the chest.
  4. Hold the open position for up to 20 seconds while breathing gently, then relax.
Take care

After chest or heart surgery, check with your surgeon before stretching the arms back.

How to progress breathing & chest exercises, phase by phase

A breathing & chest programme is not one fixed list. The same 8 exercises are introduced in stages, and the dose rises only when the current stage is easy and pain settles within 24 hours. This is the usual order a physiotherapist follows:

PhaseGoalTypical exercises
Days 0–7 · protect the lungsKeep the lungs expanded and clear after surgery or illnessIncentive spirometry, thoracic expansion breaths, supported cough with pillow, huffing
Weeks 1–4 · control breathlessnessBreathe efficiently during daily tasksDiaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, active cycle of breathing (ACBT)
Weeks 4–12 · build staminaReturn to walking, stairs and work with less breathlessnessChest-opening stretch, pursed-lip breathing while walking, ACBT as needed

Long-term lung conditions such as COPD need these techniques on an ongoing basis, not only for a set period; your physio will adapt the plan to your condition.

How often, and how hard?

As a rule of thumb, mobility and range-of-motion exercises are done little and often (2–4 short sessions a day), while strengthening is done once a day or on alternate days with full sets. Mild discomfort up to 3–4 out of 10 that settles by the next morning is acceptable; sharper pain, new swelling or pain that spreads means drop back a phase and tell your physiotherapist.

What this looks like on the patient's WhatsApp

With Physio Clinic Software, the physio picks these exercises, sets the dose and the language once. Each morning the patient gets the plan with a link to the steps (and the clinic's own video, if added); they tap Done and reply with a pain score. The therapist sees adherence and pain trend on the chart, and the referring doctor gets a one-page progress letter at week 6.

  • No app to install; works on any phone with WhatsApp
  • English and Tamil exercise names; greeting and check-in line in the patient's language
  • Printable A4 sheet with a QR code for patients who prefer paper
  • Daily pain score shown beside adherence on the chart (automatic high-pain alerts are planned)
Try free for 30 daysPhysio Clinic Software for clinics

Sample data: illustrative WhatsApp conversation.

Breathing & chest exercise questions

How often should I do breathing exercises?

After surgery, deep breathing or incentive spirometry is commonly done every hour while awake, about 10 breaths at a time, as advised by the hospital team. For phlegm clearance, ACBT is often done once or twice a day, or more when the chest is congested. With COPD, pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing can be used whenever you feel breathless. Your physio will set your routine.

What if I feel dizzy or more breathless?

Feeling a little light-headed can happen if you take too many deep breaths in a row. Stop, breathe normally and rest for a minute before continuing, and do fewer deep breaths in each set. If breathlessness gets worse rather than better with rest, or you feel chest pain, stop the exercises and seek medical help.

When should I see a doctor urgently?

Seek urgent medical help for severe or sudden breathlessness, chest pain, blue lips, confusion, coughing up blood or a high fever. After surgery, also contact the team if the wound becomes red, swollen, leaks or opens. With COPD, follow your action plan and contact your doctor if the phlegm changes colour or you need your reliever inhaler more often.

Do I need special equipment?

Most breathing exercises need no equipment at all. An incentive spirometer is sometimes given after surgery, and a pillow helps with supported coughing. If you use oxygen at home, keep it on during the exercises unless your doctor has said otherwise. Your physio may suggest other aids for phlegm clearance if they suit your condition.

How long should I keep doing breathing exercises after COVID-19 or surgery?

After surgery, most people continue until they are up and walking normally and the chest is clear. After COVID-19, some people need several weeks or longer of breathing control and gradually increasing activity before breathlessness improves. People with COPD usually benefit from using these techniques long term. Your doctor or physiotherapist will guide you on when to reduce them.

Other body regions

🦵 Knee · முழங்கால்

ACL, knee replacement, meniscus, patellofemoral pain, osteoarthritis

💪 Shoulder · தோள்பட்டை

Frozen shoulder, rotator cuff, impingement, post-fracture, cricket shoulder

🧘 Back · முதுகு

Low back pain, disc prolapse, sciatica, postpartum, spinal stenosis

🙆 Neck · கழுத்து

Mechanical neck pain, cervical spondylosis, tech neck, headaches

🦶 Ankle · கணுக்கால்

Ankle sprain, after cast or fracture, Achilles, plantar fasciitis, balance

🏃 Hip · இடுப்பு

Hip replacement, gluteal weakness, bursitis, piriformis, older adults

💪 Elbow · முழங்கை

Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, elbow fracture, post-cast stiffness

✋ Wrist & hand · மணிக்கட்டு மற்றும் கை

Colles fracture, carpal tunnel, de Quervain, hand OA, post-cast stiffness

🧍 Upper back & posture · மேல் முதுகு

Thoracic stiffness, desk posture, kyphosis, rounded shoulders

🚶 Balance & falls · சமநிலை

Falls prevention, unsteadiness, dizziness, older adults, fear of falling

🧠 Stroke rehab · பக்கவாதம்

Hemiplegia, bed mobility, sit-to-stand, sitting balance, carer support

🧘 Pelvic floor & core · இடுப்புத் தளம்

Stress incontinence, pregnancy, postnatal, after prostate surgery, core weakness

← Back to the full exercise library · Why patients stop doing home exercises, and what fixes it · Home exercise program app for physiotherapists

Prescribe these in Tamil, Hindi or any of six languages

Physio Clinic Software sends the plan on WhatsApp, tracks Done and pain, and writes the doctor's letter. 30-day free trial, no card.

Try free for 30 days Book a WhatsApp demo