Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to medical devices.
AirPhysio, short for Airway Physiotherapy, is a brand that claims to help people "naturally improve your breathing." The brand manufactures a medical device that they claim can help treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by expanding the lungs.
But how does AirPhysio actually work? Are there any side effects or risks associated with its use? Is AirPhysio better than other airway expansion devices? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of AirPhysio?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we explain how AirPhysio works, and review clinical studies to give our take on whether or not this type of medical device is actually effective.
We'll also compare AirPhysio to other devices in the same class, discuss the risk of side effects, and feature real AirPhysio customer reviews.
How Does AirPhysio Work?
AirPhysio is a oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device, which is a type of medical device that's used to improve airway function and has been tested in clinical studies.
A 2022 medical review on non-pharmaceutical treatments for airway clearance detailed how OPEP devices can clear mucus from the airway through targeted pressure changes.
The only device that appears clinically proven to increase airway volume, according to the above-linked review, is the VersaPAP.
Both asthma and COPD can cause increased mucus in the lungs, so the AirPhysio may help to treat these conditions because of its potential impact on mucus function rather than lung expansion.
We cannot find any clinical trials proving the AirPhysio to be effective, and the brand doesn't appear to cite any on their website, so we recommend consumers be wary of using this device without approval from a doctor.
A 15-second video published by the brand visually explains how the device is proposed to work:
Real People Try AirPhysio
A YouTube creator named "The Amazing Flec" claims to have chronic bronchitis and reviewed AirPhysio in a video with over 100,000 views:
A TikTok creator named Theresa explains how the device has helped with her son's asthma:
@largerthanbws Sharing Another amazing find! All natural & drug free, helps reduce mucus and improve airway @airphysio #DoritosDareToBeBurned #airphysio #allnatural #respiratory #beckwithwiedemannsyndrome #asthma ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE - Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
Does AirPhysio Cause Side Effects?
Because OPEP devices use mechanical methods to clear the airway rather than chemical methods, they tend to be relatively safe.
A medical study on the safety of OPEP devices, published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease highlighted how the devices “have low safety risks compared to pharmacologic therapies.”
This seems to be a major benefit of OPEP devices, because even asthma inhalers can cause side effects, and corticosteroid inhalers are clinically shown to cause severe side effects in some patients such as adrenal suppression and bone loss.
Overall, we do not consider AirPhysio likely to cause side effects in otherwise healthy adults.
Questionable Claims on AirPhysio Site
There are a number of uncited and questionable health claims on the AirPhysio website.
As shown below, the brand markets their product as a treatment for specific disease states:
However, the brand fails to publish or even cite any evidence proving their device is effective for the treatment of these conditions.
AirPhysio also makes specific health claims about their device, such as the claim that it can cause mucus clearance:
Again the brand fails to provide evidence supporting this claim.
Just because the class of medical devices that AirPhysio is a member of is clinically shown to be effective, does not necessarily mean that the AirPhysio device will be effective.
We recommend that consumers be wary of brands making specific health claims without supporting evidence. It's a red flag of a brand's quality.
Where to Get the Best Price
AirPhysio is sold at a variety of online retailers.
Here's a price breakdown for a one-time purchase at the time of updating this article:
CVS: $69.99 (free shipping, link)
Brand website: $66.99 (plus shipping, link)
Amazon: $69.95 (free shipping, link to official Amazon listing)
When factoring in shipping fees, AirPhysio is currently around 10% cheaper at Amazon than at the brand's website.
Customers Rate AirPhysio
Amazon is a better resource for honest customer reviews than a brand's website in our opinion.
At the time of updating this article, AirPhysio has been reviewed over 1,000 times on Amazon, and has an average review rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
A top positive review from a verified purchaser comes from a user named "Tony C." who gave the product a 5/5 rating:
"At first I couldn’t get it to work. But after several tries, I was able to get it work. It’s really great device to use before going to bed. I also use during the daytime. The device does help clear up mucous and exercises your lungs. After using it for awhile, I feel my lungs are stronger."
A top negative review from a verified purchaser is written by a user named "GregD" who gave the product a 1/5 rating:
"So far it absolutely does NOT help bring up mucus. It is a lot like blowing through a tube or a kazoo. The air just runs straight through and the metal ball creates a sense of vibration toward the end which kind of makes you think it's doing something but it's really not. It's purpose is to vibrate the mucus from the walls of your lungs but it fails to tell you that in the actual description. This product is not what it claims to be"
AirPhysio currently has a 72% recommendation rating on Facebook.
Our Take: Is AirPhysio Worth It?
While OPEP devices generally seem like a safe and effective way to manage asthma and COPD effects, we would recommend that patients speak to their doctor about VersaPAP rather than AirPhysio.
As referenced in the section on device efficacy, the VersaPAP was the only device shown in the previously-linked medical review of OPEP devices to create airway expansion. This furthers clearance of mucus, causes lung expansion and can relieve symptoms.
We haven't come across any clinical evidence that AirPhysio is effective, so even though it seems unlikely to cause any side effects, it doesn't seem like a logical purchase in our opinion.
AirPhysio Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of AirPhysio in our opinion:
Pros:
- May reduce airway mucus
- Seems unlikely to cause side effects
- Mostly positive Amazon reviews
Cons:
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested
- Questionable health claims on brand's website
- May be less effective than VersaPAP
- Brand's website charges for shipping
