Making Film On Asthma Treatment

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31028, 6 April 1966, Page 2

Making Film On Asthma Treatment

Asthma is a condition which is treated too lightly in New Zealand, according to a Christchurch physiotherapist, Mrs Bernice Thompson. Asthma can be, and often is, a fatal condition. Each year in England and Wales, alone, about 3000 persons die from attacks.

For just over seven years Mrs Thompson has been giving treatment to asthma sufferers. Gradually she evolved her own methods and about three years ago published a book, “Asthma and Your Child,” so that parents could follow up at home what their children were doing with Mrs Thompson at her clinic.

In May of next year, Mrs Thompson will give a paper on asthma at the world conference of physiotherapists in Melbourne. As part of her lecture she will show a film based on her book which is now being made by the National Film Unit.

A group of Christchurch doctors who recognise the value of Mrs Thompson’s methods are helping to raise the £2500 necessary to make the film. Business firms have given or pledged £lOOO and Mrs Thompson hopes that other firms will also contribute.

Mrs Thompson feels that asthma sufferers do not get enough help. Other afflicted groups such as crippled children and the like are backed by fund-raising organisations, but asthma sufferers have no such organisation.

The film is being made for screenings to parents, physiotherapists. doctors, nurses, professional and community organisations. It will have a running time of 20 minutes and will show children receiving treatment from Mrs Thompson. Animated sequences and a commentary will also be incorporated. Breathing Exercises

Asthma can result in physical deformities such as pigeon chests and hunched shoulders.

“The time to start treatment is before the vicious

circle of bad breathing begins,” said Mrs Thompson. Within two or three years of treatment, giving correct breathing combined with a vigorous programme of exercises to keep the air passages clear, patients show a dramatic change ior the better, and in the main are able to keep it under control. Mrs Thompson is married to a chest surgeon and has always been interested in chest work, which she studied while overseas. Since she started her practice her work has been mainly in this field. Songs And Games

Because doctors sent her so many small children —she treats about 60 each week — Mrs Thompson gradually evolved special exercises incorporating songs, stories, and action games. She found that children’s interest was captured and kept by these methods. "They

enjoy themselves and like to do them at home—an essential part of their treatment,” she said.

Mrs Thompson's programme is more vigorous than the orthodox method of physiotherapy—relaxation and breathing. But her methods have gained the support of Christchurch doctors and the Canterbury Society of Physiotherapists. As well as her clinic, and her family of five children to care for, Mrs Thompson has found time to write another book on asthma for adults. This will be published later this year by the Pegasus Press. The picture shows members of the National Film Unit filming a sequence for the. film. Mrs Thompson and the children are demonstrating a game called “The Postman.”