Home Shop POWERbreathe Medic Plus IMT
SKU: PB2000
Please note: In North America, this product is the POWERbreathe Wellness Plus.
£59.99
Description
The Medic Plus is the IMT device of choice for those with very weak diaphragms and severe respiratory problems. The breathing trainer gently increases your breathing strength in a safe, scientifically proven way.
The device creates resistance on your in-breath, causing your muscles to work harder. Over time, you will build up strength and stamina and breathing will become easier. This can ease the symptoms of COPD and asthma and help with rehabilitation.
Strengthen your diaphragm- Respiratory muscle weakness is inherent in various patient groups and a major contributor to the perception of difficult or laboured breathing (dyspnoea). However, when the inspiratory muscles are ‘overloaded’ regularly using the Medic Plus, they adapt and become stronger and more resistant to fatigue. Activating stronger inspiratory muscles requires less effort during a given task, reducing dyspnoea. This has been shown to improve exercise tolerance and quality of life, particularly in patients with COPD.
Breathing training with the POWERbreathe Medic Plus focuses on strengthening your diaphragm rather than your lungs. This is because your lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs, and not muscle, and therefore cannot be strengthened.
Recommended by medical professionals- The Medic Plus is used by medical professionals as an adjunct to pharmacological treatments. It can be used as a standalone therapy or in conjunction with pulmonary rehabilitation, with or without supervision, and can be easily used straight out of the box.
Entry-level breathing training- The POWERbreathe Medic Plus offers the lowest and lightest starting ‘load’ (weight) of all our devices (except for the K-Series), at 9cmH2O (or 1cmH2O without the internal spring).
This ‘load’ training is similar to weightlifting, and the POWERbreathe Plus Medic device provides the lightest level of resistance setting (weight lifted) in increments – from 9cmH2O (or 1cmH2O without the internal spring) to 78cmH2O.
The range between each training level is smaller than the POWERbreathe Medic. This makes it ideal for patients who have severe breathing difficulties.
Ergonomic design- The POWERbreathe Plus is the second generation of mechanical breathing trainers and features the following design improvements:
See results after 4-6 weeks- Consistently follow the training regime of 30 breaths, twice a day to feel less breathless during exertion in 4-6 weeks. This is scientifically proven. Learn more about how the POWERbreathe IMT device works in our guide.
Benefits to Patients
These benefits were the findings of trials and research in which the original POWERbreathe Medic was the intervention used.
Training Diary
Download the POWERbreathe Medic Training Diary >
Stroke Patients
After a stroke, patients will often experience an overproduction of saliva as a result of dysphagia, or if the face or lip muscles have been affected.
Using any POWERbreathe IMT breathing training device also produces saliva. This can be alleviated by removing the Medic Plus mouthpiece, attaching a POWERbreathe Spacer, and then attaching a POWERbreathe Classic Mouthpiece. This is because stroke patients may find it more difficult to keep a tight seal on the standard mouthpiece provided with the Medic Plus device. We have been advised by medical professionals that our POWERbreathe Classic Mouthpiece can help to overcome this problem.
Adjustable Load Setting Range
Note: A load of 3cmH2O can be achieved by removing the spring and replacing the valve assembly for training (see page 10 & 11, diagram 1 – 5). In addition, a load of 1 cm H20 can be achieved when the complete valve assembly is removed and the POWERbreathe breathing indicator ball is installed (see page 10 & 11, diagram 6).
All values are at a flow rate of 1 litre a Second, consistent with other POWERbreathe models.
Precise load settings may vary marginally due to: (1) the analogue nature of the calibrated spring tensioner and the precision with which the load is selected; (2) a small effect of inspiratory flow rate upon spring compression such that high inspiratory flow rates lead to greater spring compression, and a small increase in load (Caine & McConnell, 2000). This effect is common to all spring loaded devices, and its size is magnified by increasing spring range (it is larger in a spring with a maximum range of 90cmH2O compared with one with half this range), it is also greater at lower absolute load settings (Caine & McConnell, 2000). Caine MP & McConnell AK. (2000). Development and evaluation of a pressure threshold inspiratory muscle trainer for use in the context of sports performance. Journal of Sports Engineering 3, 149-159.
Precautions & Contraindications
POWERbreathe IMT breathing training is drug-free, suitable for almost anyone and should cause no harmful side effects when used properly. Please read the following precautions and contraindications to ensure that POWERbreathe IMT is used safely and appropriately. You must always consult your healthcare professional before embarking on any new form of exercise and this includes POWERbreathe breathing training.
Healthcare Professional should take into consideration the following conditions before patients use POWERbreathe:
Inspiratory muscle training, such as training with POWERbreathe, is not recommended for patients with certain conditions, including the following:
What's In The Box?
The following items come as standard with every POWERbreathe Medic Plus purchase:
Care & Maintenance
Reviews (5)
Vanessa Potter – July 12, 2023
Posted on behalf of Gerry Hamill who submitted this review via our social channel. Gerry has given his permission for his story and review to be shared.
My Story – firstly I would like to thank all at Powerbreathe for the help that this device has given me over the past 12 months.
I was in ICU for 6 months, 2 months of which I was in a coma, and suffered Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia with Lung Damage as a result, plus Huge Muscle Mass Loss. I was so profoundly weak that I could not lift my fingers off the bed when I came out of the induced Coma.
This Powerbreathe device has been a life-saver for me and I cannot recommend it highly enough for driving my recovery. It was given to me in ICU by a Physio. I was weaned off the Ventilator and Tracheotomy Ventilation.
From being unable to lift my fingers, unable to sit up and breathe, unable to stand or walk – I am now walking unaided off-Oxygen and have built up from 1 set x 3 reps at Resistance 1 (Min) to 10 sets x 20 reps at Resistance 10 (max).
Other than my motivation and Rehabilitation routine I would put my Powerbreathe at top spot in helping my recovery to date! Thank you so much.
Since I contacted you within 1 year, from first using it, from not being able to sit up or stand, I just completed a 2-mile walk off oxygen at av. 2.2 mph. I continue to use it every day before my walks – the benefit has been huge! Thank you so much!
Grace Cruttwell – February 22, 2023
Really wonderful product, my breathing has gotten so much easier since I started using it.
Vanessa Potter – July 6, 2022
Posted on behalf of N Gazecki who shared her review with us via our blog:
Hi – I have just finished 6 weeks using the Power Breathe Plus. My objective was to build upper respiratory strength as I have asthma. I am amazed by how it has improved my lung capacity and cleared my lungs. The clearing of my lungs has virtually stopped my asthma cough allowing uninterrupted nightly sleep which I have not had for at least 2 years.
Vanessa Potter – June 23, 2020
Gosh what an experience you’ve had with COVID-19 Gary! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback of training with the POWERbreathe Medic Plus to improve your breathing muscle strength and stamina. We’re so pleased that it’s helped you get back into your cycling again – and back to work. It’s the device combined with your perseverance of use that’s got you where you are, because you could have easily given up when it felt too hard. Like all training, it’s not meant to be easy, but sticking to the scientifically proven training regimen is what’s made the difference, so well done, and stick with it. We wish you a full recovery.
Gary Thornton – June 22, 2020
I am a frontline NHS Paramedic working for the Ambulance Service and recently contracted COVID 19 whilst working . I was hospitalised and the Pneumonia affected my breathing so much I would suffer increased shortness of breath on exertion. Unable to exercise at the start without difficulty I wanted to find a way to improve my fitness . I researched and came across Powerbreathe . I contacted them and explained my history and they sent me advice on what products would be best. They also provided me with excellent research surrounding the benefits . I found it hard to use at the beginning , but kept at it twice daily. I must say my recovery has been a long slow process but feel using this has speeded it up greatly. My breathing has improved so much, I have gone from only managing a couple of miles on a bicycle to now 20 miles . I have now been able to return to work , and have been passing on positive recommendations to Asthma and COPD patients I have been treating . If you suffer from any breathing problems give this company consideration. There are cheaper alternative products around, but all I can say is my Medic pro plus unit does the job and I will be continuing to use it daily .
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