Respiratory Physiotherapy for Neurological Conditions
We help to prevent and minimise chest infections in people living with neurological disorders. Our highly skilled team focus on optimising lung function through the review of care routines, active interventions and the careful use of assistive technology.
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Our home-based respiratory physiotherapy services
At Active Edge Physio Melbourne, we are uniquely qualified to manage acute respiratory dysfunction. Pneumonia and respiratory insufficiency are common in people with neurological disorders such as spinal cord injury, acquired or traumatic brain injury, Guillain-Barré syndrome, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, multi system atrophy and myositis. People with these conditions may find it difficult to take a deep breath and cough effectively – respiratory physiotherapy can help.
Minimising and preventing pneumonia is important to live life to the fullest and to stay out of hospital. We are highly skilled in reversing lung collapse and clearing sputum in complex scenarios where taking a deep breath and coughing is challenging. We are able to work with people living with disabilities and their carers to optimise lung function, either through set up of a maintenance program or an active physiotherapy regime to help with rapid recovery from a chest infection. This can be either face-to-face if you reside within our service area or alternatively via an online consultation through our outreach clinic.
Prevent Complications
We have many years of experience working in acute hospital and critical care settings, routinely using and prescribing volume restoration devices such as the Philips Respironics CoughAssist, Taleb Medical Nippy clearway, AirLiquide Alpha 300, non-invasive and invasive ventilation. We are also highly competent in suctioning and tracheostomy management.
Our physiotherapists have identified a need for greater physiotherapy support for lung health in the community and are excited to provide this unique respiratory service.
If you are requiring this service, we may be able to travel out of our listed areas to visit you. For further information, please fill in our contact form, call us on (03) 8609 1019 or email us on reception@active-edge-physio.com.au
How our assessments set us apart
Assistive Technology we use to Enhance our Assessments
Portable spirometry is a convenient and effective way to assess and measure lung function at home. For people living with neurological disabilities, portable spirometry is crucial to monitor respiratory function, guide treatment decisions, improve outcomes and quantify respiratory function in critical or deteriorating situations.
Our spirometer measures how much air a person can inhale and exhale, as well as how quickly they can exhale. Some key measures that we commonly use are Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF).
Overnight oxygen monitoring can be used for anyone with lung and/or sleep dysfunction. Our clients can loan an overnight oxygen monitoring ring at no cost, which is a screening tool that evaluates blood oxygen levels and can be easily done at home with minimal extra supports. Â
Blood oxygen levels help show whether a person has enough oxygen in their body. Sleep apnea and respiratory disorders can impact on oxygen levels.Â
By identifying low oxygen levels during sleep, we are able to develop an action plan to address this which can minimise risk of future complications. The oxygenation monitoring ring emits a red light through the finger it is worn on, measures the colour of the blood and subsequently oxygen levels continuously when it is worn. Data are recorded continuously over the course of the night and will result in a graph, which your physiotherapist can review and determine if there are any abnormal drops in your oxygen levels.
Measuring respiratory muscle strength, in other words, the strength of the inspiratory muscles (maximal inspiratory pressure or MIP) and expiratory muscles (maximal expiratory pressure or MEP), is crucial in evaluating lung function in people living with neurological disorders. These measurements provide valuable insights into the functioning of the respiratory muscles and are essential for monitoring disease progression, predicting likelihood of complications and proactively addressing risks, as well as guiding therapeutic interventions like respiratory muscle strength training.
Utilising respiratory muscle testing as part of our assessment is important as it allows us to detect any respiratory changes (improvement or decline) accurately and reliably before it impacts on other more blunt assessments like blood oxygen levels. It also allows us to customise our respiratory strength training programs to ensure they are as effective as possible, such as during inspiratory or expiratory muscle training.
Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation is vital for patients who cannot generate an effective cough due to weakened respiratory muscles.Â
Our team have a Philips Respironics Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation E70 Machine that is available to our clients to trial and/or hire. Mechanical Cough Assist is a non-invasive device that applies positive air pressure to the lungs, inflating them, followed by negative pressure which creates a strong expiratory flow. This helps people living with respiratory insufficiency take a deep breath and cough effectively to clear secretions from the lungs.
Some benefits of Mechanical Cough Assist include enhanced airway clearance, improved oxygenation, reduced hospitalisations and better quality of life. Overall, utilisation of Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation has the potential to reduce the incidence and severity of complications such as pneumonia and drastically improve respiratory stability within the home environment. Our team are highly trained in implementation of these programs within the home environment which includes training of all carers and provision of written resources to ensure safety, effectiveness and empowerment of our clients and the teams around them.
We have many years of experience working in acute hospital and critical care settings, routinely using and prescribing volume restoration devices such as the Philips Respironics E70 Cough Assist, Taleb Medical Nippy clearway, non-invasive and invasive ventilation. We are also highly competent in suctioning and tracheostomy management.
Our team provide education to physiotherapists who wish to upskill in the area of respiratory management in people living with complex neurological disabilities. This is our way of giving back to our colleagues with the mission to improve care nationally and internationally of this complex patient population. For more information, visit the Neuro Respiratory Physiotherapy Academy
Our physiotherapists have identified a need for greater physiotherapy support for lung health in the community and are excited to provide this unique respiratory service.
If you are requiring this service, we may be able to travel out of our listed areas to visit you. For further information, please fill in our contact form, call us on (03) 8609 1019 or email us on reception@active-edge-physio.com.au
Respiratory Physiotherapy FAQs
Respiratory physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy focussing on optimising lung function, preventing complications such as pneumonia, reducing breathlessness and improving exercise capacity. By targeting these areas, our team aims to improve overall health, independence and quality of life.
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.
Respiratory physiotherapy can benefit people with a wide range of conditions, including:
Neurological and neuromuscular disorders – such as spinal cord injury, acquired or traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Guillain-Barré syndrome, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, multi-system atrophy, myositis, and other neurodegenerative or neuromuscular conditions.
Respiratory conditions – including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, and pneumonia.
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.
Techniques used in respiratory physiotherapy include:
- Airway clearance techniques – to help remove mucus and improve breathing efficiency.
- Breathing techniques – such as diaphragmatic and paced breathing to optimise ventilation and lung function.
- Postural drainage – positioning strategies that assist the drainage of secretions from the lungs.
- Manual techniques – including manual assist cough, percussion and/or vibration to loosen mucus and support airway clearance.
- Positive airway pressure – to help open the airways, support lung expansion, and improve oxygenation.
- Exercise prescription and physical activity programs – tailored to maintain and improve overall fitness, respiratory endurance, and functional independence.
- Assessment and management of respiratory complications – including monitoring lung function, preventing infections like pneumonia, and supporting safe mobilisation for people with neurological or neuromuscular conditions.
These techniques are used to support easier, more efficient breathing and to clear any lung secretions, helping to maintain optimal respiratory health. By combining these approaches with evidence-based assistive technologies when appropriate, we aim to enhance functional independence, support daily activities and improve overall quality of life.
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.
Physiotherapy is an essential part of managing COPD. Our physiotherapists can perform comprehensive assessments, provide education, and help you develop self‑management strategies. We also deliver pulmonary rehabilitation and tailored exercise programs, all aimed at helping people with COPD better manage symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, and improve health‑related quality of life.
These approaches are strongly supported by Australian evidence-based practice. For example, the COPD‑X Plan — the Australian and New Zealand clinical guidelines for COPD — recommends pulmonary rehabilitation for individuals with stable COPD to enhance quality of life and exercise capacity. Lung Foundation Australia+1 In addition, the recently published Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinical Care Standard by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care highlights physiotherapy-led assessments and non‑pharmacological interventions as key components of optimal COPD management. safetyandquality.gov.au+2respiratory.medicinetoday.com.au+2
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.
Respiratory physiotherapy is tailored to you - based on the assessment findings and symptoms you might experience after COVID‑19. It may include techniques to help manage breathlessness, clear your airways, or rebuild respiratory muscle strength. Whether you need ongoing physiotherapy depends on your individual symptoms and recovery.
In Victoria, the management of long COVID aligns with state-level guidance: the Victorian Government’s referral criteria encourage assessment and rehabilitation where symptoms last for at least two months and significantly impact daily function. health.vic.gov.au+1
We deliver care in line with evidence-based practices, guided by Australian rehabilitation and pulmonary treatment principles, including the Australian & New Zealand Pulmonary Rehabilitation Clinical Practice Guidelines.Â
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.
Every person’s recovery is unique, which is why we begin with a thorough assessment. This allows us to develop an individualised treatment plan, including the recommended frequency of sessions, tailored specifically to your needs. We also work closely with you and your support network to create exercises and strategies that can be used between sessions, helping you achieve the best possible outcomes in daily life.
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.
As primary care practitioners, physiotherapists do not require a medical referral for respiratory physiotherapy — you can get started directly.Â
The easiest way to get started is by completing our referral form.
If you'd prefer to talk it through, we'd love to hear from you - feel free to call us anytime to discuss your referral. You can also email us your details, or the details of the person you support, and we'll help you take the next steps
Respiratory physiotherapy starts with a thorough assessment, which allows your physiotherapist to create an individualised treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan may include airway clearance and breathing techniques, manual therapy, or the use of assistive devices. To maximise results, sessions are complemented with exercises and strategies you can practice between appointments.
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.
Respiratory physiotherapy is safe and highly beneficial for older adults living at home. Our physiotherapists begin with a tailored assessment to develop an individualised plan, including breathing techniques, airway clearance, and exercise strategies.
This evidence-based approach, guided by Australian clinical guidelines, aims to maximise quality of life, prevent hospital admissions, and empower older Australians to take control of their respiratory health and maintain independence.
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.
Respiratory physiotherapy can help improve exercise tolerance by first assessing your current exercise capacity and identifying the specific factors that may be limiting your ability to stay active, such as breathlessness, muscle weakness, or reduced endurance. Based on this assessment, our physiotherapists develop a personalised exercise program designed to address these challenges, safely build strength and stamina, and support greater participation in daily activities.
This tailored approach not only enhances physical fitness but also contributes to better overall health, functional independence and quality of life.
To learn more about how respiratory physiotherapy can help you or someone you support, including the techniques and approaches we use, visit our Respiratory Physiotherapy page for a detailed overview.