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Your health care provider may recommend that you use an incentive spirometer after surgery or when you have a lung illness, such as pneumonia. The spirometer is a device used to help you keep your lungs healthy. Using the incentive spirometer helps you take slow deep breaths. It also may be used to help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exercise their lungs.
How to Use an Incentive Spirometer
Many people feel weak and sore after surgery and taking big breaths can be uncomfortable. A device called an incentive spirometer can help you take deep breaths correctly.
By using the incentive spirometer every 1 to 2 hours, or as instructed by your provider, you can take an active role in your recovery and keep your lungs healthy.
To use the spirometer:
- Sit up and hold the device.
- Place the mouthpiece of the spirometer in your mouth. Make sure you make a good seal over the mouthpiece with your lips.
- Breathe out (exhale) normally.
- Breathe in (inhale) slowly.
A piece in the incentive spirometer will rise as you breathe in.
- Try to get this piece to rise as high as you can.
- Usually, there is a marker placed by your provider that tells you how big of a breath you should take.
A smaller piece in the spirometer looks like a ball or disk.
- Your goal should be to make sure this ball stays in the middle of the chamber while you breathe in.
- If you breathe in too fast, the ball will shoot to the top.
- If you breathe in too slowly, the ball will stay at the bottom.
Hold your breath for 3 to 5 seconds. Then slowly exhale.
Take 10 to 15 breaths with your spirometer every 1 to 2 hours, or as often as instructed by your provider.
Other Tips
These tips may be helpful:
- If you have a surgical cut (incision) in your chest or abdomen, try holding a pillow tightly to your belly while breathing in. This will help ease discomfort.
- If you do not make the number marked for you, do not get discouraged. You will improve with practice and as your body heals.
- If you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded, remove the mouthpiece from your mouth and take some normal breaths. Then continue using the incentive spirometer.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your provider if you have increased shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, or increased coughing.
Alternative Names
Lung complications - incentive spirometer; Pneumonia - incentive spirometer
References
Abbassi F, Puhan MA, Clavien PA. Surgical complications: overview and grading. In: Tyler DS, Hayes-Dixon A, Hines OJ, et al, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 26.
American Lung Association website. What Is spirometry and why it is done. www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/spirometry. Updated November 20, 2024. Accessed December 8, 2025.
Kotta PA, Ali JM. Incentive spirometry for prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery. Respir Care. 2021;66(2):327-333. PMID: 32843511 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32843511/.
Rochester CL, Nici L. Pulmonary rehabilitation. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 139.
Review Date 10/19/2025
Updated by: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.