Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common condition with varying levels of severity.
The term COPD refers to lung diseases that have developed over a period of time, such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema and sometimes both. People living with COPD may experience breathlessness (dyspnea), wheezing, fatigue and a frequent cough.
COPD can be caused by smoking or long term exposure to harmful fumes or dust.
It is currently considered to be an incurable disease, however treatment can help in controlling the condition. More information and support is available from Asthma and Lung UK
According to Asthma and Lung UK (1 May 2022, [Online]): “In the UK there are 1.3 million people with a diagnosis of COPD”
Reflexology Research
The link below is to an article published by the Association of Rehabilitation Nursing, featuring a study to “determine the effect of reflexology on reducing dyspnea and fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)”
It concluded: “It was determined that the reflexology reduced dyspnea and fatigue in patients with COPD” and that “Complementary methods such as reflexology should be used with pharmacological methods to reduce dyspnea and fatigue of COPD patients”.
Polat Hatice; Ergüney Seher
Rehabil Nurs 2017 14-21 1 42
References for this Blog
Asthma and Lung UK (2022) COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease (Accessed: 12 January 2025)
NHS UK (2023) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/ (Accessed: 12 January 2025)