04/05/2025
Breathe Better in Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month 💜
May is Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month – a time to learn and share how we can support people living with CF. Imagine struggling to breathe each day because your lungs are clogged with thick, sticky mucus. That’s reality for those with CF, a genetic disorder where a faulty CFTR gene makes the body’s fluids (mucus, sweat, digestive juices) **abnormally thick and sticky**. These thick secretions block airways and digestive ducts, causing chronic lung infections, breathing difficulty, and digestive problems (like poor nutrient absorption and growth). Symptoms often include a persistent cough with heavy mucus, repeated pneumonia or sinus infections, and digestive issues like oily stools and poor weight gain.
As a physical therapist working with CF patients, we know how challenging this can be – but there is **hope and help**. In partnership with doctors and families, PTs play a vital role in **keeping lungs clear and bodies strong**. We teach airway clearance techniques (ACTs) to **drain mucus from the lungs**, easing breathing and reducing infections. CPT (chest physical therapy) uses percussion (rhythmic chest clapping) and vibration to loosen mucus, and we coach active breathing cycles (deep inhales, huffing, coughing) to move it out. (Airway clearance is the #1 most important strategy in CF care, because it helps stop mucus build-up and slow lung damage.)
Other PT strategies for CF include:
* **Airway Clearance:** Percussion (clapping) and vibrations on the chest loosen sticky mucus. We then use coughs or huffs to clear the airways.
* **Breathing Exercises:** We teach deep diaphragmatic (belly) breathing and active-cycle-of-breathing techniques to fully expand the lungs and move mucus up. These exercises help oxygenate the body and make cough clearance easier.
* **Exercise & Fitness:** Regular physical activity (walking, cycling, swimming, etc.) improves lung function, heart health, muscle strength – even flexibility and posture. Exercise also naturally helps shake loose mucus, making airway clearance more effective.
* **Posture & Core Strength:** Good posture keeps the chest open. People with CF often develop a rounded upper back, which can restrict breathing. PTs teach stretches and strength exercises to maintain a flexible spine and strong core, so your lungs have room to expand.
In all of these, our goal is to **empower** you (or your child) to feel strong and in control. We tailor every plan to individual needs – some techniques can even start in infancy. Remember, you are not alone: CF care teams and PTs work together to support every step of the journey. Celebrate every victory – a deep breath, a cleared airway, improved endurance – because small wins add up to a better quality of life.
**Get Involved:** Comment below to show your support! Share this post to spread awareness in our community. Tag friends or family who should know about CF and PT benefits.
