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 Chest Physiotherapy is the removal of excess secretions (also called mucus, phlegm, sputum)

from inside the lungs, by physical means. It is used to assist a cough, re-educate breathing
muscles and to try to improve ventilation of the lungs.

 It is the term for group of treatments designed to improve respiratory efficiency, promote
expansion of lungs, strengthen respiratory muscles, and eliminate secretions from the
respiratory system.

Coughning techniques

 The coughing needs to be deep, reaching into the lungs and not merely the throat;

 Effective coughing is best achieved in the sitting position;

 Hold your breath for about three seconds;

 After deep inhalation, cough forcefully using the abdominal and other accessory respiratory
muscles;

 If you have had an incision, you can provide support by placing your palms on either side of the
incision during coughing;

 For patients with abdominal incision, splint the abdomen with a rolled pillow held against it.

 Postural drainage uses the force of gravity to assist in effectively draining secretions from the
lungs and into the central airway where they can either be coughed up or suctioned out.

 The patient is placed in a head or chest down position and is kept in this position for up to 15
minutes.

PERCUSSION

 Involves using a cupped hand to beat firmly on the chest wall rhythmically.

 To break up thick secretions in the lungs

 Performed on each lung segment for one to two minutes at a time.

 Diaphragmatic

 Diaphragmatic breathing can relax muscles, improve oxygen levels and provide a feeling of
release from tension.

 Place one hand on the abdomen, the other on the chest;

 Inhale concentrating on pushing the abdominal hand outward while the chest hand remains still;
 Hold air in your lungs for five counts;

 Exhale slowly, while the abdomen hand moves inward and the chest hand remains still. Let all
the air out slowly through your mouth;

 Pursed-Lip Breathing

 Help maintain open airways by maintaining positive pressure longer during exhalation

 Inhale through nose with mouth closed

 Exhale slowly through purse-lips, as through whistling or blowing out a candle, making
exhalation twice as ling as inhalation.

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