Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Nurture Your Vibrant Life
A life-changing pulmonary event or chronic lung condition requires more than a single visit to your specialist. At Aspen Valley Health, we provide our patients with long-term pulmonary rehabilitation—a medically supervised progressive exercise and education program. Our treatment plans are individualized for each patient’s needs, offering thoughtful strategy and support to better manage chronic lung disease.
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Aspen Valley Health is committed to helping pulmonary patients reclaim the richness of an active life.
What We Offer
- Exercise guidelines
- Nutritional counseling
- Education about the anatomy and physiology of the lungs and your lung disease
- Energy-conserving techniques
- Breathing strategies
- Medication management
- Stress management
- Relaxation techniques
- Infection prevention and management
- Guidelines for traveling with oxygen
Eligibility
Patients living with a variety of lung conditions are eligible. Those conditions include:
- COPD
- Emphysema
- Bronchitis
- Chronic asthma
- Idiopathic lung disease
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Post-COVID-19 dysfunction
- Others, based on pulmonary function tests
How the Program Works
Under the supervision of our medical director, our multidisciplinary team consists of RNs, exercise physiologists, registered respiratory therapists, registered dietitians and a licensed clinical social worker. Exercise sessions are led by staff trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and a physician is available at all times should an emergency arise.
Patients work with our providers in customized sessions utilizing a variety of equipment such as treadmills, rowers, ellipticals and stationary bikes. We closely monitor heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels and provide supplemental oxygen if necessary.
Initial Steps of the Patient Journey
- 1Referral from your primary care physician or pulmonologist
- 2Pulmonary function test to confirm pulmonary impairment
- 3Interview with one of our pulmonary rehabilitation specialists
- 4Receive an individualized treatment plan and monitor progress
Where You Can Receive Treatment
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is available at both our Aspen Valley Health Medical Center as well as our After-Hours Medical Care clinic in Basalt. Both locations offer comprehensive exercise equipment and state-of-the-art monitoring capabilities.
Dr. Suresh Khilnani from Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs sees patients in Aspen each month. For more information, call 970.298.5864.
Benefits
Our extensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation program is designed to address each patient’s lifestyle and goals, empowering long-term pulmonary health and a balanced life. Potential benefits include:
- Reduced shortness of breath
- Increased ability to perform daily activities
- Improved stamina and strength
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Better breathing mechanics
- Better self-management of the disease process
- Increased independence