[Natural and mechanical respiration therapy for chronic respiratory insufficiency (author's transl)]

Respiratory therapy of ventilation disorders involves a redistribution of the work of the respiratory musculature from above downwards, relieving the auxiliary musculature, increasing the excursion of the lower part of the thorax and relaxation of the diaphragm. It is pointless to provide respiratory techniques for use as exercises only when the body is in a state of rest; suitable respiratory techniques must rather be of the pattern of spontaneous respiratory movement which keeps control in stress situations also. The patient must learn to recognise the limit of his own pulmonary functional capacity, so that he can reduce the work load in good time before it is reached. Respiratory therapy is increased even more by passive positive pressure respiration which enables passive inspiration, sparing inspiratory respiratory work, with active exercise therapy in the expiratory phase, and which can be combined with inhalation treatment.