Breathing properly is a key factor in all exercise programs. By itself, breathing is a good exercise. Its benefits are twofold: therapeutic and relaxing. Breathing exercises can be used to improve the habits of those who breathe lightly, expanding only the upper chest. They are also a good way to rest between exercises. Urge your patient to let go of all the muscles in his neck and shoulders and fill his lungs all the way. This will break the cycle of shallow tension breathing.
If the patient is immobile for long periods of time, the joints will start to stiffen. They are then painful when the patient tries to move. The family can be taught to support limbs while doing ROM exercises, if the patient is unable to do it himself. The limbs should go through each motion ten times daily at minimum.
Here is a series of range of motion exercises that can be done daily by your patients. If the patient cannot move the limb on his own the family should gently support the limb and instruct the patient to tell them if it hurts while you move it.
