Introduction
Who doesn’t enjoy a breath of fresh air? Whether it’s after a game, on a mountain hike, or just relaxing after a long day, breathing freely is something we often take for granted—until it gets harder.
For those managing asthma, chronic bronchitis, or recovering from a respiratory illness, Chest Physiotherapy (CPT) can be a powerful tool for recovery. This hands-on treatment offers benefits for clearing the airways, improving lung function, preventing infections, and making breathing easier.
If you’re dealing with a respiratory condition, CPT can help you get back to doing what you love—whether that’s hitting the gym, exploring the outdoors, or simply breathing with ease.
Even if you’re feeling healthy, chest physiotherapy techniques like postural drainage, breathing exercises, and stretches can give your lungs a boost.
When mucus becomes thick, sticky, or excessive, it’s more than just annoying. It can make it hard to breathe, cough, and can lead to bigger problems. Of course, consulting with a healthcare professional is always the first step.
Ready to take a deep breath and learn more about CPT? Let’s dive into what chest physiotherapy is, the techniques involved, and how it can help you or your loved ones breathe easier every day.
What is Chest Physiotherapy?
Chest Physiotherapy is a hands-on treatment that helps mobilize or loosen secretions in the lungs and respiratory tract. It works to improve breathing by clearing mucus and other blockages from the lungs.
Respiratory therapy is commonly used for people with respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, or cystic fibrosis, as well as those recovering from illnesses or surgeries affecting the lungs. CPT improves airflow and prevents infections, helping patients breathe easier and enhancing overall lung health.
To understand how Chest physiotherapy works, let’s take a closer look at the lungs. Each lung is divided into sections called lobes:
- The right lung has three lobes—superior (upper), middle, and inferior (lower).
- The left lung has two lobes—superior and inferior.
These lobes are separated by thin layers called fissures, like dividing lines, creating the upper, middle, and lower parts of the lungs.
Within the lungs are the bronchi, which branch like a “tree” into smaller parts called bronchioles and end in tiny air sacs called alveoli, where oxygen exchange occurs.
When mucus builds up in these “branches,” it clogs the airways, making breathing difficult and increasing the risk of infection. Respiratory therapy helps clear these blockages through specific techniques which we’ll cover right next.
Techniques Used in Chest Physiotherapy
Chest physiotherapy combines a few essential methods to loosen and clear mucus from the lungs. The most common CPT techniques include postural drainage, often paired with percussion and vibration.
Percussion, also called “clapping”, is a hands-on technique to tap into different body parts. As the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation explains, it uses cupped hands to tap specific areas of the chest and back in a steady, rhythmic motion.
What is the benefit of this percussive, “clapping” technique? It creates vibrations that help loosen mucus stuck in the airways. When done correctly, percussion produces a hollow sound, like a soft drum.
Vibration is another helpful CPT method to clear mucus. It can be done manually by placing hands on the chest and gently shaking during exhalation, or with specialized devices like chest percussors or vibration vests.
Both percussion and vibration are typically used alongside postural drainage, also known as Gravity-Assisted Drainage (GAD). What is postural drainage? It’s quite simple—it involves positioning the body in specific ways to target mucus buildup in different areas of the lungs.
Let’s take a closer look at these chest physiotherapy techniques:
Postural Drainage
Each postural drainage position should be done for 2 or 3 minutes, alongside percussion or vibration. After performing each manual CPT, your caretaker will encourage you to cough, so you release any secretions.
Top of the Lungs
The Top of the Lungs position helps drain mucus from the top of both lungs, also known as the apical segments. For this postural drainage position, sit upright in a chair or prop yourself up at a 90-degree angle.
Percussion should be performed just below the collarbone on the upper chest, targeting the apical bronchi for effective mucus clearance.
Upper Back of the Lungs
This postural drainage position helps clear mucus from the back portion of the upper lobes, also known as the posterior segments. To perform this, sit upright and lean slightly forward with your arms supported on a table or pillow.
Percussion should be applied between the shoulder blades on the upper back to effectively target mucus buildup on that specific area.
Top of the Lower Lungs
Next, we have the superior segments of the lower lobes, located at the uppermost part of the lower lungs. For this postural drainage, lie flat on your stomach with no elevation needed.
Apply percussion to the middle of the back, just below the shoulder blades, for effective mucus clearance.
Front of the Lungs
The Front of the Lungs position targets mucus in the anterior segments of the upper lobes. This is one of the most common positions: Lie flat on your back on a stable surface, and just relax..
Then, perform percussion between the collarbone and the nipple area on the chest to loosen mucus effectively.
Right Lung
This next position is designed to drain mucus from the middle lobe of the right lung. Lie on your left side with your feet elevated by 20 inches, rotating slightly backward so your body leans slightly on your back.
Percussion should focus below the nipple or breast area on the right side for optimal results.
Lingula: Left Lung
The Lingula postural drainage position targets mucus in the middle section of the left lung. Is the same as for the right lung, but the other way around: Lie on your right side, feet elevated by 20 inches.
Percussion should be applied below the nipple or breast area on the left side to clear this region.
Sides of the Lower Lungs
The Sides of the Lower Lungs position targets the lateral basal segments. Lie on your side—right side for the left lung or left side for the right lung—with your feet elevated 20 inches.
Percussion should be done on the lower rib cage on the upward-facing side.
Lower Lungs
This position clears mucus from the anterior basal segments, located in the front lower lobes of the lungs. Lie face up with your feet elevated 20 inches.
Percussion should focus on the lower rib cage on the front side for effective drainage
Back of the Lower Lungs
Finally, we have the postural drainage position: This one is designed to drain mucus from the posterior basal segments, located in the back lower lobes of the lungs. Lie face down with your feet elevated 20 inches.
Perform percussion on the lower rib cage on the back side to loosen mucus in this area.
Benefits of Chest Physiotherapy
Enhanced Respiratory Function
Imagine the feeling of oxygen flowing freely through your lungs, energizing every part of your body. That’s one of the key benefits of respiratory therapy. By clearing mucus and blockages, it helps your lungs work more efficiently, making each breath smoother and more satisfying.
For those with conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, or COPD, this improvement in airflow can be life-changing. Better breathing means less effort with every inhale and exhale, helping you feel more energized and ready to take on the day.
Athletes, take note: CPTis also a secret weapon for tackling cold-weather sports and high-intensity activities where lung efficiency is critical. At P1 we are all about helping you achieve your best performance, so if you are interested in CPT, schedule a session with our professional Physical Therapists today.
Mucus Clearance
When mucus builds up in the lungs, it’s more than a nuisance—it’s a breeding ground for bacteria. Respiratory therapy works to break up and clear mucus, reducing the risk of infections and other complications.
The benefit? Breathing becomes easier and more natural, and over time, you’ll notice fewer respiratory illnesses. It’s a simple yet powerful way to maintain lung health.
Post-Surgical Recovery
Recovering from lung surgery can feel like climbing a steep hill. That’s why many doctors and health professionals recommend respiratory therapy to help patients recover smoothly. CPT ensures your lungs stay clear, even when your mobility is limited.
One of the key benefits is that CPT promotes airflow and keeps the lungs active, reducing the risk of complications like pneumonia and speeding up recovery. With proper guidance from professionals, it’s a powerful tool to help you bounce back and return to your daily routine.
While respiratory therapy is generally safe, there are some conditions where it should be avoided. If you have a rib fracture, significant bleeding, or certain medical conditions, CPT may not be suitable. Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice and ensure the therapy is safe for your specific situation.
If you’re doing CPT, always stay on track with follow-up sessions and medical advice. This ensures you’re performing these chest physiotherapy techniques safely and getting the most out of your treatment.
How to Get Started with Chest Physiotherapy
Getting started with chest physiotherapy begins with a consultation with a healthcare provider. During this initial assessment, the professional will use a stethoscope to listen to your breathing and identify which areas of the lungs which may need mucus clearance.
Before starting your CPT session, it’s recommended to wait at least two hours after your last meal and one hour after consuming liquids.
If you’d like to incorporate respiratory therapy into your routine at home, here are a few additional tips and exercises to enhance your results:
Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing is a simple yet powerful technique to expand lung capacity. Start by inhaling deeply through your nose, letting your stomach rise as your lungs fill with air, then exhale slowly through pursed lips.
A relaxing breathing exercise is the 4-7-8 breathwork: You can inhale for 4 seconds, hold air 7 and release in 8.
Huffing is another effective method. It involves taking a deep breath and forcefully exhaling while keeping your mouth open, as if fogging up a mirror. This helps dislodge mucus from the airways.
Stretching
Simple stretches can complement respiratory therapy by loosening the chest, rib cage, and spine. Try movements like thoracic twists, pectoral stretches, or side-lying thoracic stretches to promote flexibility and better airflow.
Want to dive deeper into stretches for CPT? Don’t miss our flexibility and mobility workout guide, featuring excellent core, chest, and spinal exercises to take your routine to the next level.
Conclusion
Breathing is life, and with Chest Physiotherapy, you can give your lungs the care they deserve. CPT offers powerful tools to enhance your respiratory health and overall well-being.
Did your healthcare provider prescribe CPT sessions for you? At Performance One, our professional physiotherapists offer tailored sessions designed to meet your unique needs—whether it’s Chest Physiotherapy or any of our other specialized treatments.
Take the first step toward healthier lungs. Schedule your session with us today to schedule your session and let’s work together to help you breathe easier, recover faster, and perform at your best.