Pulmonary Rehabilitation With a Pulmonary Care Leader

The simple act of breathing is not simple for those who suffer from emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or any other chronic respiratory condition. If you have been diagnosed with a respiratory ailment, you know all too well that breathing can be an exhausting struggle.

The Norton Healthcare pulmonary rehabilitation program is designed to help improve the well-being and lung function of people who have chronic (ongoing) breathing conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and asthma.

Our pulmonary rehabilitation providers are leaders in developing and applying innovative techniques that can help you recover and resume your life. Norton Healthcare offers comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation in a medically supervised environment that includes exercise, education, breathing strategies and nutritional counseling to help you feel better.

Locations

The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation certifies our pulmonary rehabilitation locations:

• Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center – Audubon: (502) 635-2121
• Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center – Springs: (502) 891-8500

Note: Pediatric pulmonary services are available at Norton Children’s Hospital

Personalized Program

To participate in the pulmonary rehabilitation program, you need a referral from your doctor. Our team of pulmonary rehabilitation specialists works with your physician to customize a program just for you. You’ll receive one-on-one attention every step of the way, and you’ll play a major role in setting measurable, attainable goals.

Mild Exercise and Education

Mild exercise and education are the two key components of rehabilitation. We tailor the exercise component to your condition and ability. It helps improve your endurance, strength, stamina, flexibility and self-confidence.

The education portion of the program:

• Teaches you about your pulmonary disease and ways you can modify your lifestyle to slow its progression
• Prescribes individual exercises to increase your endurance and make breathing easier
• Provides emotional support as you learn to cope with the challenges of your disease
• Helps you gain a better understanding of your medications

Program Details

Patients participate in our formal rehabilitation program for an average of six to 10 weeks, or a total of 24 two-hour sessions. Extensions are possible if medically necessary. Participants usually attend sessions three times a week.

After you finish the formal program, you can participate in our maintenance program for $4 per session. Exercise with supervision in our exercise room, and enjoy the freedom to work at your own pace, alongside others who are learning to cope with similar breathing conditions.

We bill Medicare and private insurance for the formal rehabilitation part of the program, but patients are encouraged to contact their provider before making any appointments.

Rehabilitation is self-paced and closely monitored by Norton Healthcare’s specially trained respiratory therapists and health care professionals.

Benefits you might expect from pulmonary rehabilitation:

• Improved ability to complete activities
• Better understanding of your health condition
• Knowledge of pacing yourself and conserving energy
• Less shortness of breath
• Knowledge of good pulmonary hygiene
• Better recognition and avoidance of situations that may cause further lung damage
• Understanding and coping with physical limitations
• Increased confidence in performing everyday activities
• Added support of family members
• Fewer hospitalizations

About Norton Pulmonary Specialists

The board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians with Norton Pulmonary Specialists, formerly Chest Medicine Associates, are leaders in caring for Louisville and Southern Indiana patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and other lung diseases since 1977.

Our team of physicians and advanced practice providers have extensive experience specializing in the diagnosis and management of all forms of lung diseases and sleep disorders.

• We have three convenient Louisville locations: on the Norton Brownsboro Hospital campus, on Newburg Road and in the Pleasure Ridge Park area.
• We provide pulmonary care and respiratory management of critical care patients at all four Norton Healthcare adult-service hospitals.
• Norton Pulmonary Specialists is accredited by the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Our providers will give you a precise diagnosis and develop a customized treatment plan for your lung condition so you can get back to living your best life.