Postural drainage, or chest physical therapy, is used in the treatment of people suffering from cystic fibrosis to help them breathe more easily and maintain good health. This form of therapy uses a combination of percussion and gravity to loosen and remove mucus from the lungs.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic, chronic condition that affects 1 in 2,500 to 3,500 Caucasian newborns in the U.S. The disease is less common other ethnic groups, affecting 1 in 31,000 Asian-Americans and 1 in 17,000 African-Americans, according to Genetics Home Reference, a service of the National Library of Medicine. The disease is caused by a defective gene and protein that causes the lungs and digestive system to create a thick mucus that can cause fatal lung infections and prevent the body metabolizing food effectively.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include a persistent cough that is sometimes productive, frequent lung infections, shortness of breath or wheezing, salty-tasting skin, poor nutrition and growth, constipation or greasy stools. Most people are diagnosed as newborns or prior to the age of 2. There is currently no treatment for this condition, although sufferers' lives can be prolonged with a combination of drug treatments and chest therapy.
Postural Drainage
The aim of postural drainage is to clear the five lobes of the lungs of mucus. The right lung contains the lower middle and upper lobes, while the left lung contains only lower and upper lobes. The lobes are divided into segments, each of which contains air tubes and sacs and blood vessels. During postural drainage, mucus is drained form the lung's segments using percussion and gravity.
Percussion and Vibration
Percussion or clapping on the chest wall with a cupped palm helps to drain mucus into the larger airways for removal by coughing. The cupped palm is tapped rhythmically on the chest over the lung area. The hand should remain cupped to avoid hurting the recipient and should be vigorous but not hard. This form of therapy should only be done over the ribs. Vibration is performed by placing a flat palm against the chest wall and making a gentle shaking motion with the hand. This light pressure also helps to move mucus into the larger airways.
Coughing and Huffing
Deep breathing from the diaphragm will help the patient to stimulate coughing and loosen the mucus in the larger airways. Cough is vital for removing the mucus. Huffing or quickly expelling air can also help to expel the mucus.
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