Chest physical therapy can help treat several forms of lung disease such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, pneumonia and bronchiectasis. Depending on the type of chest physical therapy required, procedures are typically performed by respiratory therapists, trained family members or the patient himself. You may need to receive or perform chest physical therapy several times a day, depending on your condition.
Postural Drainage
Postural drainage utilizes gravity to drain lung secretions from smaller airways to larger airways where they can more easily be expelled. Postural drainage may be especially helpful if your lungs produce a lot of mucus. Depending on the area of the lungs that needs to be drained, you may need to sit up at an angle, lie on your back or lie on your side. You will likely need to spend at least five minutes in each position. Try to have a good strong cough after each position to expel any dislodged mucus.
Percussion
During postural drainage, you or your respiratory therapist may also use percussion to help dislodge stubborn mucus. Percussion is performed by clapping the chest or back with a cupped hand. The shape of the cupped hand creates an air pocket that vibrates the lungs, helping to free trapped secretions. Percussion may also be performed using a mechanical chest vibrator instead of a cupped hand. Percussion should only be performed on the rib cage and should avoid the spine, breasts and breast bone.
Suctioning
Suctioning may be used if you are unable to cough up the secretions produced during postural drainage and percussion. Respiratory therapists or trained family members can remove secretions by inserting a tube into your nose and down into your windpipe. The tube uses a vacuum to suck out any mucus present in your windpipe.
Breathing Exercises
Some patients with lung disease also benefit from performing breathing exercises to strengthen the muscles that control the lungs. Breathing exercises can also help you deal with shortness of breath and other problems. If you participate in breathing exercises, your respiratory therapist will encourage you to work on developing your deep breathing skills. This is often done while using an incentive spirometer, an instrument designed to measure the amount of air you inhale. You may also be taught pursed-lip breathing, a breathing technique in which you slowly exhale air through pursed lips rather than through your open mouth or nose.
