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Pursed Lip Breathing: How to Do It and When It Helps
Pursed lip breathing is a simple technique: breathe in through the nose for two counts and out through pursed lips for four. It slows breathing and can ease breathlessness, especially in COPD, and is taught by respiratory therapists. It takes no equipment. Severe distress needs 911.
Written by the PureLung label deskUpdated · 5 min read
What it is
Pursed lip breathing means breathing in through your nose and out through lips shaped as if you were blowing out a candle or whistling. The small resistance keeps airways open a little longer, helping air leave the lungs. People with COPD often use it to get through a breathless moment (MedlinePlus, Breathing Difficulty).
Steps
Try it seated and relaxed before using it in a stressful moment.
- Relax your neck and shoulders.
- Breathe in slowly through your nose for about two counts, with your mouth closed.
- Pucker your lips as if to blow out a candle.
- Breathe out slowly and gently through pursed lips for about four counts.
- Repeat for several minutes, keeping the breath easy.
Do not force the breath out or hold your breath.
When it helps
During activities that make you breathless: climbing stairs, bending, lifting, walking or showering. Use it as you start the effort, breathing out on the hardest part. It may also help to calm panic when breathless.
Practice
Practise two or three times a day for five minutes, at a calm time such as after a meal or before bed, so that the pattern is familiar when you need it. Some people count silently, tap a finger or use a slow timer on a phone to keep the rhythm steady. Combine it with diaphragmatic breathing once you are comfortable (ALA, COPD). Over weeks the technique becomes automatic.
If you struggle to breathe, have blue lips, chest pain or confusion, call 911. Do not rely on a breathing technique alone.
Common mistakes
The technique is simple, and a few small errors can make it tiring instead of calming.
- Breathing in too fast or too deeply.
- Blowing out hard, which tires you.
- Tensing the shoulders.
- Holding breath between steps.
PureLung: 60 capsules a bottlePacks of 1, 3 or 6 bottles · live price shown at checkout · guarantee as printed on the live listing
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Most people can try it. If it makes you dizzy, stop and rest. A respiratory therapist or physical therapist can teach it in person and tailor it to your condition. It is a skill, not a cure. If you feel more breathless after trying it, stop and tell your clinician, since another problem may need attention. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs teach it with feedback, and many people find a few sessions with a therapist more useful than reading about it.
What does the PureLung label say?
The label shows 60 capsules, a serving of 2 and a 600 mg Proprietary Blend of eleven names with no single amount; it names no disease.
| Item | As printed |
|---|---|
| Form and count | Capsules, 60 per bottle; serving size 2 capsules; 30 servings |
| Blend per serving | Proprietary Blend, 600 mg: eleven names, no single amount printed |
| Inactive | Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silica Dioxide |
| Distributor | MJO, Sheridan, WY 82801 |
How it fits with other care
It sits alongside medicines, rehab and clean air, not in their place. Some people find it helpful for anxiety too. Compare it with other methods on the breathing exercises page and the belly breathing post.
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FAQ01
PureLung questions people ask
Does it cure COPD?
No, it eases breathlessness for some people.
How often should I practise?
A few times a day.
Can children do it?
A clinician can teach a suitable form.
Does it need equipment?
No.
Is it the same as diaphragmatic breathing?
They are different and often used together.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label images, seller information and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
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