A LEADING sports physiotherapist, who is a prominent figure in GAA, rugby and ice-hockey circles in Ireland, has raised the possibility that exercising the lungs may help in the fight against coronavirus.
Petrina Scullion has spoken about how she believes a person's breathing helps the immune system, which in turn may assist our bodies to fight off the virus.
"The coronavirus is a virus that affects the lungs, so I believe it makes sense to do exercises for the lungs," she said.
"The whole thing with Covid-19 is that we do not yet have the solution, but one of the best things we have is our own bodies defence mechanism which is our own immune system."
Writing in today's Irish News, Ms Scullion, a sports chartered physiotherapist at the Kingsbridge Physiotheraphy Clinic at Queen's PEC, gives advice on how to look after our lungs as well as helpful breathing tips.
She says she hopes her techniques will give people ways to "keep your airways as clear as possible".
Originally from Offaly, she now lives and works in Belfast - she has over 18 years experience of specialising in sports injuries, orthopaedics and outpatients. She worked on a rotational basis in the Royal Victoria Hospital for five years.
At the top of her game, she is a prominent figure in GAA circles - having worked with the Antrim, Down and Derry county teams - as well as the NI ladies soccer team, Team NI rowers and Team Australia in the London Olympics. She has been to China for the World University Games and spent four seasons with the Belfast Giants.
She said she wants to "do my bit in whatever way I can" to help get people through the continuing Covid-19 crisis.
"First of all, I would say to do everything recommended by the government, from hand-washing to social distancing," she said.
"The coronavirus is a virus that affects the lungs, so I believe it makes sense to do exercises for the lungs.
"I'm not an expert, there's no studies yet to say it will help or prevent coronavirus, but a person's breathing can help their immune system, we can use it to help us.
"I use these breathing exercises with my patients. This is stuff I did every day in the Royal when I was first started out.
"My very first rotation when I started working in the RVH was in intensive care and thoracic surgery. I was trained very well and like learning to ride a bike, I remember and still use my respiratory training."
Two years ago Ms Scullion developed pneumonia, but says she used the techniques she teaches patients to aid her battle with illness.
"Working in Queen's over nine years, I had never had a day off, but this floored me for three to four months," she said.
"I did a lot of these techniques when I was ill, even when I was tired and exhausted, I did them and I felt it helped me.
"Just recently I had a patient, whose daughter, son-in-law and child were dealing with coronavirus and she asked me for advice, that's what prompted me to do this.
"If I can help even just one person, I just want to help in any way I can. The experts, the respiratory physiotherapists, doctors and nurses, are busy on the frontline at the moment.
"Good nutrition, good sleep, good hydration, some exercise, following government guidance and looking after your lungs will help everyone.
"I try to teach people to use the simple breath, the human breath can enhance performance in athletes and I believe it can enhance all of us."
