I used to really struggle with using airway clearance devices like flutter and acapella.

I found I got restless. I got bored. I got distracted.

I could go months or years without using certain types of airway clearance equipment, because I just didn’t get on with it. I used different methods that were less reliant on breathing into a device. While we don’t have the vest readily available in the UK, I can understand why people choose this passive airway clearance technique.

The thing is, I have come to realise, over years of doing different types of physical activity and different types of breathing exercise, that breath awareness and an active breath (versus passive) is far more effective.

I’m writing this because for the first time in years today, I decided to pick up my flutter and give it a go.

Why did I do this? And why did I find I was able to finally feel that I was able to do this effectively?

I’ve never been much of a runner. I’ve tried at various points in my life.

The reason I keep trying is because I know that it’s really good for my lungs. Living with cystic fibrosis, I have to put a lot of time and effort into keeping my lungs clear and healthy, and one of the things that gives me the biggest bang for my buck when it comes to airway clearance is running. Well, jogging, in my case...