Chest Physiotherapy
Chest physiotherapy includes a series of manual techniques designed to help clear mucus from the airways and lungs, thus improving airflow and making breathing easier. This is particularly beneficial for children with cystic fibrosis and other conditions causing bronchiectasis wherein thick mucus plugs block the airways. Chest physiotherapy is initially administered by a trained therapist, and subsequently can be taught to the parents or caregivers to support long term lung health.
Chest physiotherapy techniques:
Some of the commonly used techniques include:
- Postural drainage: This involves positioning the child in various ways to help gravity assist in draining mucus from different parts of the lungs.
- Manual percussion: Light tapping or clapping on the chest wall helps to loosen mucus that is trapped in the lungs.
- Vibration: Gentle vibrating movements applied to the chest can help mobilize mucus, making it easier to cough up.
- Certain specially devised breathing exercises such as active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT).
- Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) therapy: This involves expiration against resistance. Oscillating PEP devices such as acapella and flutter can be used by older children for more effective airway clearance.
Benefits of Chest Physiotherapy
- By clearing mucus from the lungs, chest physiotherapy helps children breathe more easily and reduces the work of breathing.
- Regular chest physiotherapy can help prevent infections by reducing mucus buildup, which can trap bacteria and cause lung infections.
- Over time, chest physiotherapy can improve overall lung function by promoting better airflow and reducing airway obstruction.
- For children with chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis, regular chest physiotherapy can help reduce the frequency of hospitalizations due to respiratory complications.
If your child has a chronic respiratory condition, it is imperative to perform regular chest physiotherapy in consultation with a pediatric pulmonologist or physiotherapist.