© Christophe Hochard
A three-month rehabilitation programme at the National Centre for Functional Rehabilitation and Readaption in Kirchberg, known as the Rehazenter, supports people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD is a serious lung condition that affects over 40,000 people in Luxembourg. Characterised by persistent breathing difficulties, the illness significantly impacts daily life, but targeted rehabilitation programmes can make a difference.
Three women, Astrid, Hélène, and Eliane, all live with COPD. Dr Elise Schwartz, who works Rehazenter in Kirchberg, explained that the disease leads to inflammation in the bronchi, often progressing to emphysema, which affects the lung's air sacs. She added that this combination typically causes symptoms like persistent coughing and breathlessness, the latter being the main struggle for most patients.
Hélène Hentz shared that she was diagnosed with COPD twelve years ago, after having smoked for 50 years. She now attends therapy sessions at the Rehazenter twice a week. Each session includes one hour with a sports therapist. The goal, according to therapist Christophe Mahé, is to help patients regain the desire and confidence to stay physically active, an essential part of managing COPD on a daily basis.
The therapy sessions are also about teaching proper breathing techniques. One patient talked about learning how to exhale more effectively, which helps remove stale air and improve oxygen intake. Another patient described how pollen allergies and recurring lung infections may have contributed to her condition, and how she is now learning to manage her breathing better.
Physical training takes place on various exercise machines, with the therapist encouraging patients to push themselves, gently but consistently. Mahé explained that the ultimate aim is to increase maximum strength, so that patients can regain their independence and stay active without fear. He stressed that the goal is for them to be able to climb stairs, lift things, and stay physically engaged.
The rehabilitation programme typically lasts three months and involves a multidisciplinary team, from lung specialists and physiotherapists to psychologists and dieticians.
Jérôme Kaps, head of physiotherapy at the Rehazenter, highlights the growing medical consensus that physical activity should be considered as valuable as medication. He noted that patients should view physical activity as a tool for managing the disease in a positive way.
Astrid, Eliane, and Hélène also found something else at the centre: friendship. The trio have bonded through the programme and now support one another in order to cope with COPD together.
