Manage breathlessness
Breathing control, recovery positions, pacing and strategies for everyday tasks.
Respiratory · Physiotherapy
Respiratory Physiotherapy in South Kensington
Breathless, struggling with mucus or finding exercise harder than it used to be?
Specialist respiratory physiotherapy can help you manage breathlessness, clear secretions, improve breathing control and rebuild confidence with activity — with a practical plan you can continue independently at home.
Breathlessness
Airway clearance
Breathing retraining
One-to-one rehabilitation
One-to-onePrivate 60-minute sessions
Self-referralNo GP referral required
PracticalTechniques practised during the appointment
IndependentLeave knowing what to do at home
Respiratory physiotherapy is about making everyday breathing and activity more manageable
The aim is not to promise to “fix” the lungs. It is to give you techniques and rehabilitation that can help you work more effectively with the condition you have.
Clear mucus
Airway-clearance techniques designed to make secretions easier to mobilise and remove.
Improve breathing pattern
Retraining where over-breathing, upper-chest breathing or dysfunctional patterns contribute to symptoms.
Rebuild activity tolerance
Graded cardiovascular and strengthening work when illness or breathlessness has reduced fitness.
Manage flare-ups
Know which techniques to use, how often, and when symptoms need medical review instead.
Build confidence
Understand your symptoms and become less dependent on trial-and-error when breathlessness increases.
Three common reasons people see a respiratory physiotherapist
I struggle with breathlessness
You may have a diagnosed respiratory condition, post-viral symptoms, a breathing-pattern disorder or simply find that everyday exertion now feels disproportionately hard.
- Breathing retraining
- Recovery positions
- Pacing and activity planning
- Gradual exercise progression
- Confidence with exertion
I struggle with mucus or chest infections
Where secretions are difficult to clear, physiotherapy can teach more efficient airway-clearance strategies and help you use devices appropriately.
- ACBT
- PEP / OPEP
- Autogenic drainage
- Huffing and cough optimisation
- Flare-up planning
I have a long-term lung condition
Respiratory physiotherapy can sit alongside medical care to support symptoms, physical capacity and self-management.
- COPD
- Bronchiectasis
- Asthma-related breathing problems
- Pulmonary fibrosis / ILD
- Post-COVID recovery
Conditions we commonly support
Bronchiectasis
Airway clearance, sputum management and practical flare-up strategies.
COPD / Chronic Bronchitis
Breathlessness management, airway clearance, pacing and graded activity.
Asthma & Breathing Pattern Disorder
Breathing retraining where dysfunctional breathing contributes to symptoms.
Post-COVID Breathlessness
Pacing, breathing control and graded return to activity after prolonged illness.
Recovery After Pneumonia
Airway clearance, breathing control and gradual rebuilding of physical capacity.
Recurrent Chest Infections
Airway-clearance planning where retained secretions may be contributing.
Pulmonary Fibrosis / ILD
Breathlessness management, pacing, exercise and maintaining physical capacity.
Hyperventilation Syndrome
Breathing-pattern assessment, cadence control and symptom-management strategies.
Persistent / Chronic Cough
Breathing-pattern and cough-management strategies where physiotherapy is appropriate.
Post-Operative Chest Care
Breathing, mobilisation and airway-clearance support around surgery where indicated.
Breathlessness Deconditioning
Structured pacing and graded rehabilitation when activity tolerance has reduced.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction / EILO
Breathing strategies as part of appropriate multidisciplinary care.
Your first 60 minutes
What happens at your first respiratory appointment?
The first session is designed to leave you with more than an explanation. Where appropriate, you will practise relevant techniques during the appointment and leave with a clear home plan.
Maria may assess:
- Your respiratory diagnosis and medical history
- Pattern and triggers of breathlessness
- Sputum, mucus and chest-infection history
- Breathing pattern and chest movement
- Current inhaler, spacer or airway-clearance device routine
- Walking, stairs and exercise tolerance
- What you most want to get back to doing
You may leave with:
- A breathing-control strategy
- An airway-clearance routine
- Guidance on PEP or OPEP use where relevant
- A graded walking or exercise plan
- Pacing and recovery-position advice
- Clear flare-up and escalation guidance
- A review plan if further sessions would add value
Techniques and tools we may use
ACBT
Active Cycle of Breathing Technique combines breathing control, thoracic expansion and huffing to help mobilise secretions.
PEP / OPEP
Positive Expiratory Pressure, with or without oscillation, can support airway clearance in selected conditions.
Autogenic Drainage
Controlled breathing at different lung volumes to help shift secretions with less repetitive coughing.
Breathing Retraining
Diaphragmatic or nasal breathing, cadence control and recovery positions for selected breathing-pattern problems.
Manual Techniques
Percussions, vibrations, thoracic mobility or positioning may be used selectively when clinically appropriate.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Graded cardiovascular and strengthening work with pacing and symptom-monitoring guidance.
One-to-one respiratory rehabilitation
When breathlessness has reduced your fitness, confidence or independence
Long-term respiratory illness can lead to a cycle of breathlessness, reduced activity and deconditioning. Rehabilitation aims to help you become more active again without pretending to “repair” damaged lungs.
Breathing
Breathing control and airway-clearance techniques tailored to your condition.
Cardiovascular
Walking, cycling or other graded activity based on your current ability.
Strength
Progressive strengthening to help reverse deconditioning and make daily tasks easier.
Pacing
Learn how to manage breathlessness without unnecessarily avoiding activity.
Self-management
Recognise symptoms, manage flare-ups and know when medical help is needed.
Respiratory rehabilitation does not cure COPD, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis or other chronic lung disease.
Its role is to improve function, confidence and self-management alongside appropriate medical care.
Meet Maria Koulopoulou
Respiratory physiotherapy
Maria Koulopoulou
Senior Physiotherapist · MSc · HCPC PH100723
Maria combines specialist respiratory physiotherapy with musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Her sessions focus on practical breathing strategies, airway clearance, pacing, movement and confidence in managing symptoms outside the clinic.
Where appropriate, respiratory physiotherapy complements your existing medical care rather than replacing it, and we can coordinate with your GP, respiratory consultant or wider clinical team.
Respiratory physio, general physio or medical review?
| Main issue | Best starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Breathlessness, mucus retention, recurrent chest infections or breathing-pattern problems | Respiratory physiotherapy | Specialist breathing, airway-clearance and respiratory rehabilitation. |
| Pain, weakness or movement restriction without a respiratory problem | General physiotherapy | Musculoskeletal assessment and progressive rehabilitation. |
| General muscular tightness or recovery | Sports Massage | Soft-tissue recovery where there is no respiratory or injury pathway. |
| Sudden, severe or rapidly worsening respiratory symptoms | Urgent medical review | Routine physiotherapy is not appropriate for potentially acute illness. |
Safety first
When to seek urgent medical care
Respiratory physiotherapy is for stable respiratory problems. It is not an emergency service.
Seek urgent help for:
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Severe breathlessness at rest
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Confusion or sudden marked deterioration
Also seek medical assessment for:
- High fever with significant respiratory symptoms
- Sudden one-sided leg swelling or pain
- Rapidly worsening oxygen levels or breathlessness
- Symptoms outside your usual flare pattern
- Any warning signs your respiratory team has asked you to monitor
If you are unsure whether symptoms are stable enough for physiotherapy, contact your GP,
respiratory team, NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate before attending.
Respiratory physiotherapy FAQs
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can self-refer. If further investigation or medical review is needed, we will guide you.
Will I get a home plan?
Yes. Your plan may include breathing technique, airway-clearance frequency, device guidance, pacing and flare-up rules.
How many sessions will I need?
Some clients need only one to three appointments to learn and refine a technique. More complex or long-term conditions may benefit from periodic review or a rehabilitation programme.
Can respiratory physio help after pneumonia?
It may help where breathlessness, retained secretions or deconditioning persist after the acute infection has resolved. Ongoing fever or acute deterioration requires medical review first.
Can respiratory physio help pulmonary fibrosis or ILD?
Physiotherapy does not reverse lung scarring, but breathing strategies, pacing and exercise rehabilitation may help maintain function and manage breathlessness alongside specialist medical care.
Can you check inhaler or spacer technique?
We can support practical inhaler, spacer, nebuliser and airway-device routines within the scope of physiotherapy. Medication changes remain the responsibility of your prescriber.
Can respiratory physiotherapy cure COPD or bronchiectasis?
No. Physiotherapy does not cure chronic respiratory disease. It can help with symptom management, airway clearance, activity tolerance and self-management alongside medical care.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring a list of medications, relevant respiratory letters or test results if available, and any inhalers, spacers, PEP/OPEP devices or nebuliser equipment you currently use.
Continue exploring physiotherapy and supportive care
Physiotherapy Hub
Explore Santi’s wider musculoskeletal and rehabilitation services.
Explore physiotherapy →Common Injuries Guide
An established Santi article on how physiotherapy may support common injuries.
Read the article →Sports Massage
For muscular recovery and tightness where respiratory treatment is not required.
Explore Sports Massage →Contact Santi
Not sure which appointment is appropriate? Tell us about your symptoms and we’ll guide you.
Contact us →Book respiratory physiotherapy in South Kensington
Start with a private 60-minute appointment. We’ll assess your breathing, symptoms and activity, practise relevant techniques and give you a practical plan to use at home.
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