Most of us take for granted that we can breathe without thinking about it. There’s no second guessing, no worrying, no pain involved. But for people who’ve experienced an acute event impacting the lungs or heart, and for those managing pre-existing respiratory conditions, respiratory care in a short-term rehabilitation setting is a saving grace. This sometimes overlooked but critical part of rehab addresses breathing problems in post-surgical patients, patients with chronic respiratory conditions (like asthma, COPD, emphysema, or pulmonary fibrosis), survivors of heart attacks or strokes, people recovering from respiratory infections like COVID, bronchitis, or influenza, and patients on bedrest or with limited mobility.