What is Chest Physiotherapy?

Chest physiotherapy, is a treatment process carried out by Physiotherapists who remove the mucus from the respiratory passages of the patient by using specific techniques such as percussion, vbration, postural drainage, autogenic drainage and deep breathing exercises.

Chest percussion uses clapping of the chest with a cubed hand to vibrate the airways in the lungs. This vibration moves the mucus from smaller airways into larger ones where it can be coughed up.

Postural drainage uses gravity to help drain mucus into the mouth by placing the body in specific positions. Each position drains different areas (lobes) of the lung. The mucus can then be spit or coughed out.

Some other techniques used for this purpose are autogenic drainage and cardiovascular exercises. These exercises increase the levels of oxygen in the body while removing the unwanted substances from the lungs.

Due to its effectiveness, chest physiotherapy is used with patients of all ages, from babies to the elderly.

If you suffer from respiratory problems, bear in mind that chest physiotherapy may be capable of helping you overcome this.