Respiratory Services

A pulmonologist in blue scrubs uses a stethoscope to listen to the heartbeat of a patient in a wheelchair wearing a neck brace and connected to a ventilator.

Explore this Service

We’re committed to enhancing your respiratory health so you can breathe easily again

When you face a spinal cord or brain injury, control over a crucial breathing muscle known as the diaphragm may be affected. Your ability to breathe independently, a function we take for granted, can be profoundly impacted. This significant change can be overwhelming, not just for you but for your supporter and caregiver.

At Shepherd Center, a top-ranked neurorehabilitation hospital, our respiratory therapists are compassionate partners in your comprehensive care, staying alongside you throughout your recovery journey. From the moment you arrive, our dedicated respiratory therapy team is here for you 24/7, providing unwavering support and care.

Our respiratory services

We specialize in ventilator weaning and respiratory rehabilitation, using tailored therapies to improve breathing, restore strength, and enhance independence. Prolonged immobility after injury can complicate recovery, but our early, active rehabilitation approach counters its effects, promoting better outcomes and quality of life. With an onsite ICU and a skilled respiratory care team, we admit patients directly from acute care settings to begin rehabilitation sooner—even for those relying on ventilators or tracheostomies to breathe.

Our approach to respiratory therapy

Our team of respiratory experts are here to understand your unique needs, considering factors such as the severity of airway secretions and cognitive condition. The treatment process begins with a comprehensive respiratory assessment. This may involve reviewing your medical history, checking out how you breathe, and looking at the respiratory devices currently being used.

After the assessment, we’ll guide you through a tailored treatment plan, blending respiratory therapy with intense rehabilitation sessions, covering physical, speech, and occupational therapy. We’ll keep a close eye on things, regularly checking in with you to adjust the plan based on how things are going. If necessary, we may use specific respiratory devices like CPAPs, BiPAPs, Nebulizers, inhalers, the MetaNeb® System, tracheostomy, ventilators, or diaphragmatic pacemakers.

As we navigate this journey together, our role extends beyond providing treatment – we are also committed to providing you with the knowledge and skills to confidently care for your loved one upon returning home. Our respiratory therapy educator will serve as your guide, offering insights on maintaining a healthy respiratory lifestyle, managing respiratory devices, and recognizing the early signs of respiratory distress.

As soon as I got off the vent and the trach, I could ramp up doing more so much quicker. Doing rehab the entire time really made me feel like I was working toward something, that I had a role to play in getting better.

Reagan Martin, North Carolina Patient, Spinal Cord Injury

Read Reagan’s Story of Hope
A smiling woman in a wheelchair, wearing black clothes and a headband, happily interacts with a yellow lab service dog that is licking her face. A woman with long hair and a white coat gently touches the dog's back, also smiling. They are outdoors near trees.

Team-based care for complex respiratory challenges

When facing complex respiratory challenges, you deserve exceptional care. At Shepherd Center, our team — including pulmonologists, therapists, nurses, and more — works together to provide personalized, coordinated care to support recovery and improve quality of life.

Continue Exploring