Trouble breathing while sitting

Raising both arms, therefore shoulders, above the head improves breathing. The old form of resuscitation uses the person's body by lifting their arms straight up above their head & bringing them back down, then up/down, etc. It's bad for my shoulders but sometimes while asleep I bring my arms up above my head in order to breathe better.

Conversely, you'll depress your breathing if you bring both arms up & out to the sides as per Jesus, etc ., on the cross.

Unless the doc or a therapist told you to do this, why exhaust yourself? Up to you.

Sorry.....I am not understanding what exactly you mean. I am near the end of all of this suffering and cannot even raise my arms or push with them.

This is the reason why when you are a child they tell you to put your shoulders back.  This improves your posture and consequently your breathing. Does it help at all putting your shoulders back without the use of your arms?  There is no point in exhausting yourself unless you have to.

If you have to do this to breathe better then it might be worth a trip to your doctors to see if s/he can give you anything else to help with your breathing.  Do you check your sats regularly?  x

I have COPD. My chest congestion is a constant challenge. Even with the nebulizer, it remains among my constant symptoms. I find resting on my back only increases my breathing difficulties. So most sofas and chairs do not fit with my unique need to lean forward most of the time. In fact, I sleep on my stomach 90+% of the time. 

Exercise is a problem too with COPD. So the raising and lowering arms is a simple, but great idea.  

You are expanding your chest giving. Your lungs a bit more room

Check out some of the videos on you tube, Donna Wilson, COPD exercise, she has some great exercises for strengthening the lungs.

Certain exercises can open up the rib case, improve the diaphragm musles all helping us to breathe easier.