Acute Bronchitis in Adults: Does Respiratory Physiotherapy Really Help?

Every winter, many elderly people suffer from acute bronchitis. Respiratory physiotherapy is sometimes prescribed.

Most of these people will not be hospitalized. Medical treatments vary according to the doctors involved, the type of bronchitis and the nature of the symptoms.

Respiratory physiotherapy prescriptions, whether at home or not, are also regularly prescribed and carried out. Are they effective in curing bronchitis or relieving certain symptoms?

♻️ Last update: September 1., 2025
👩‍⚖️ Declaration of financial interests: none directly related to the subject. My complete declaration of financial interests is in the legal notice section.
Written by Nelly Darbois, physiotherapist and scientific editor

Bronchitis in babies and adults

Acute bronchitis is a mainly winter pathology that affects both babies and adults. In babies, it is more often referred to as bronchiolitis. Respiratory physiotherapy is effective in relieving the symptoms of babies suffering from mild to moderately severe bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is very common in babies, but also in adults.

Around 5% of adults suffer from bronchitis every year. Older people are more likely to suffer from it. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles that carry air to the lungs, most often caused by a virus.

It should not be confused with pneumonia or pneumopathy, which is more serious.

Bronchitis is not an interstitial lung disease.

The evolution of bronchitis in adults

Acute bronchitis usually progresses well without medication. Only 10% of bronchitis cases are caused by bacteria and may require antibiotic treatment. The rest of the time, antibiotics are unnecessary.

Bronchitis generally begins with an infection of the upper airways: the nose may be runny or blocked. After a few days, a dry cough appears, along with chest pains and a sensation of difficulty in breathing.

The cough then becomes more oily, and sputum may be thick and purulent or more liquid and transparent. A fever is sometimes associated. The cough usually subsides within 7 to 10 days, whatever you do.

When you listen to your lungs with a stethoscope, you may hear a few bronchial rales, or nothing at all.

Relieving bronchitis in adults

Steps can be taken to relieve symptoms and feel better. These include:

• drink water, fruit syrups or hot beverages regularly;
• eating honey or sucking candy;
• humidify the air (e.g. stay in the bathroom for a long time after a shower or bath, or breathe in steam from a voucher with boiling water);
• NO SMOKING;
• don ‘t go to places where people smoke.

Paracetamol can sometimes be taken to relieve pain or fever in the most troublesome forms of bronchitis.

In the event of nasal congestion, regular blowing of the nose can provide a degree of comfort. You can simply blow your nose with a handkerchief, or wash your nose with saline solution.

It can also be beneficial to keep active at a minimum. Sitting rather than lying down during the day, or even walking, can help drain secretions. Of course, it’s important to avoid sports and other strenuous activities: you need to rest, but you don’t need to be in bed all day.

Finding a comfortable sleeping position is also important. You can use several cushions or bolsters to sleep with your head elevated.

Respiratory physiotherapy for adult bronchitis

Elderly people consulting a doctor may need respiratory physiotherapy in connection with their bronchitis. Physiotherapists generally intervene several days after the onset of bronchitis, when people start to experience a hacking cough.

While there are numerous studies on the effect of respiratory physiotherapy on bronchiolitis (bronchitis in children), or on the effect of physiotherapy on people with chronic obstructive pulmonary bronchitis (COPD), the effect of respiratory physiotherapy on adults with acute bronchitis has not been studied.

In all cases, physiotherapists can remind people of the various ways of relieving bronchitis. They can show people how to blow their noses effectively, how to get comfortable so as to feel better, and encourage them to stay active.

It seems reasonable to assume that respiratory physiotherapy sessions for acute bronchitis do not result in faster recovery from bronchitis. On the other hand, visits from physiotherapists can help relieve the symptoms of bronchitis, particularly during the coughing phase. Respiratory physiotherapy exercises can be given.

Depending on their effect and the way patients perform them, it may or may not be advisable to continue them, either alone or in the presence of the therapist. The purpose of these exercises is to drain secretions from the bronchi and upper airways.

For bedridden people who can’t get up, the physiotherapist can also suggest exercises and positions to help relieve symptoms.

In all cases, the patient must actively participate in the exercises and in the management of his or her symptoms, even in the absence of the physiotherapist. As the aim is to act on the symptoms of bronchitis, there is no ideal frequency or duration of physiotherapy sessions.

Bronchitis: limiting contagion

Acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, and is therefore contagious. It is therefore important to :

• cough or blow your nose into a tissue and dispose of it immediately after use;
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose or coughing;
• avoid contact with vulnerable people;
• do not share cutlery or other utensils;
• avoid kissing, shake hands.

What to do in case of bronchitis: summary

Any questions or comments? See you in comments!

📚 You may also like these items:

• Physiotherapy exercise for the elderly
• Fear of falling after a fall
• Pneumonia and Lung Infections in Adults

📘 References 📘

Prescrire. 2015. Acute bronchitis in adults: antibiotics of little use.

Medline. 2019. Search with keywords “bronchite aigüe” and “kinésithérapie”, in English. No results on the value of respiratory physiotherapy in adults with acute bronchitis. The same applies to the keywords “bronchitis”, “physiotherapy” and “elderly person”.

Ross et al. 2010. Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Bronchitis.

Ameli. 2019. Bronchitis: limiting contagion.

Cochrane. 2014. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settings.