How AirPhysio Works: OPEP, Usage Steps and Cleaning
This page explains the mechanism behind AirPhysio, how to use it, how to clean it and the differences between the models. It is a summary. The user guide in the box is the authority.
Why Mucus Gets Stuck
Your airways are lined with a thin layer of mucus that traps dust and germs. Normally tiny hairs sweep it upwards and you swallow or cough it away without noticing. When you are ill, or when the airways are irritated, the mucus can become thicker and stickier. It clings to the airway walls and coughing alone may not shift it.
What OPEP Means
OPEP stands for Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure.
- Positive Expiratory Pressure: the device makes it slightly harder to breathe out. That back-pressure helps hold the airways open during the breath.
- Oscillating: the pressure pulses rapidly instead of staying constant. The pulses make the airway walls vibrate.
The brand explains that the combination loosens mucus and helps move it up towards the throat, where you can cough it out.
Inside the Device
A steel ball bearing sits in a cone-shaped seat. When you exhale, the air pressure lifts the ball. As soon as it lifts, air escapes, the pressure drops and gravity pulls the ball back down. This cycle repeats many times a second for as long as you keep breathing out, and that is what you feel as a flutter in your chest.
Because gravity pulls the ball back, the device has to be held close to level.
How to Use It
- Sit upright and relax your shoulders.
- Breathe in slowly, a little deeper than normal, and hold for two to three seconds.
- Seal your lips around the mouthpiece and hold the device level.
- Breathe out at a steady, moderate pace until your lungs feel comfortably empty. Keep your cheeks firm.
- Repeat for several breaths.
- Remove the device and cough or huff to bring up loosened mucus.
The company describes typical sessions of about 5 minutes, once or twice a day.
What You Should Feel
- A vibration or flutter in the chest
- An urge to cough
- A rattling sound if mucus is present
If you feel nothing, tilt the device slightly up or down until the vibration is strongest.
Cleaning
- Take the two pieces apart after each use.
- Wash them in warm water with mild soap.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Let everything air dry completely before reassembling.
Store it in a clean, dry place. Replace it if parts are cracked, the ball no longer moves smoothly or it cannot be cleaned properly.
The Four Models
| Model | Intended for |
|---|---|
| Average Lung Capacity | Most adults |
| Low Lung Capacity | People who cannot breathe out forcefully |
| Sport | Athletes and people with strong lung capacity |
| Kids | Children, under adult supervision |
If you are unsure which one you need, ask your doctor or the company's support team.
One Device Per Person
You put it in your mouth and breathe moist air through it, so it should not be shared.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does AirPhysio work?
A steel ball inside the device lifts and drops as you breathe out, sending pressure pulses back into your airways. The brand says this loosens mucus so you can cough it up.
How long should I use AirPhysio each day?
The company describes sessions of about 5 minutes, once or twice a day.
Why do I not feel AirPhysio vibrating?
It is gravity-dependent. Hold it closer to level and adjust the tilt slightly until you feel the strongest vibration.
Can two people share one AirPhysio?
No. Each person should have their own device for hygiene reasons.
How do I clean AirPhysio?
Take it apart, wash in warm soapy water, rinse and air dry completely before reassembling.
Want the Full Overview?
Our home page covers how AirPhysio works, who it suits and where the brand sells it.
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