lung and airway disorders
Chest Physical Therapy
Postural drainage
In postural drainage, the person is tilted or propped at an angle selected to help drain secretions from the lungs. The chest or back may also be clapped with a cupped hand to help loosen secretions—a technique called chest percussion. Alternatively, the therapist may use a mechanical chest vibrator or a high-frequency chest oscillator (an inflatable vest that vibrates at high frequency to loosen sputum). The therapist may teach a family member how to use one of these devices. These techniques are used at intervals on people who have conditions that cause a great deal of sputum to be produced, for example Cystic Fibrosis (CF) , Postural drainage cannot be used for people who Cannot tolerate the position required Have recently vomited up blood Have had a recent rib or vertebral fracture Have severe Osteoporosis None Have a high risk of bleeding Postural drainage also should not be used for people whose lung condition does not involve excess mucus secretion. 