Hospital Links

Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge

middle age male nurse helps elderly female patient lift her arm while holding weight

Improving Quality of Life for People with Lung Diseases

If you have lung disease, pulmonary rehabilitation can help you manage your chronic illness through treatment that includes:

  • Supervised exercise
  • Education on respiratory care
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Smoking cessation programs
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Psychosocial support
two senior ladies walking briskly on a trail laughing
senior male using an inhaler

Conditions that Qualify for Pulmonary Rehab

Lung disease often creates a significant impact on a person’s ability to perform routine daily tasks because of increased shortness of breath. If you suffer from chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or restrictive lung disease, you may be a good candidate for pulmonary rehab. 

COPD includes:

  • Emphysema
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Asthma 

Restrictive lung disease includes:

  • Interstitial fibrosis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Occupational or environmental lung disease

Goals of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The goals of Methodist Medical Center’s pulmonary rehab program are:

  • To improve your quality of life
  • To help you meet the daily challenges of living with a chronic medical condition
female doctor high fives young child sitting on father's lap

Benefits of Pulmonary Rehab

With pulmonary rehab, you may experience the following benefits:

  • Less shortness of breath
  • Ability to resume some hobbies and activities you once enjoyed
  • Less fatigue after performing daily chores
  • Greater strength and endurance
  • Less depression and anxiety
  • A better understanding of ways to manage your disease
  • Fewer hospitalizations
  • Greater independence
  • Improved quality of life

Methodist’s Pulmonary Rehab Program

Through exercise and education, patients in Methodist’s pulmonary rehab program learn how to manage the daily limitations faced when dealing with chronic lung disease. Our staff evaluates you and works with both your doctor and you to develop a plan of care. By working together, attainable rehab goals are developed.

The plan of care generally includes:

  • Educating you and your family about your disease
  • Exercise
  • Psychosocial counseling
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Group support from other patients in Methodist’s pulmonary rehab program

Also included are discussions about how lifestyle choices — such as smoking and diet — affect your health.

 

doctor listening to the lungs of a senior female patient

Smoking Cessation Program

A smoking cessation program is available for anyone who wants to participate. A physician’s order is not required. We use the Freedom from Smoking® classes developed by the American Lung Association.

Each program series consists of six classes in which patients work with instructors to identify people, places, and things that trigger the urge to smoke. Each patient then works with an instructor to develop an individualized stop-smoking plan, and the patient receives group support to help them avoid a relapse. A weekly support group is also available for those needing additional support.

Classes are held four times a year at a cost of $50. The entire fee is refunded to participants who complete all six classes. For more information about Methodist’s smoking cessation classes, please call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767.

Hospital

Methodist Medical Center

Hours
  • Hospital
  • Laboratory
  • Emergency Room

A not-for-profit, community-owned healthcare system

We are committed to improving the quality of life in East Tennessee through better health. In partnership with our generous donors, Covenant’s 10,000+ employees, physicians, and volunteers are providing outstanding care for our patients and their families.

Covenant Health