Postural Drainage
In postural drainage, the person is tilted or propped at an angle to help drain secretions from the lungs. Also, the chest or back may be clapped with a cupped hand to help loosen secretions--a technique called chest percussion. Alternatively, the therapist or a trained family member may use a mechanical vibrator.
These techniques are used at intervals on people who have conditions that produce a great deal of sputum, such as cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and lung abscess. The techniques may also be used when a person cannot cough up sputum effectively, as may happen with older people, people who have muscle weakness, and people recovering from surgery, an injury, or a severe illness.
Postural drainage cannot be used for people who are unable to tolerate the position required, are taking anticoagulation drugs, have recently vomited up blood, have had a recent rib or vertebral fracture, or have severe osteoporosis. Postural drainage also cannot be used for people who are unable to produce any secretions (because when this happens, further attempts at postural drainage may lower the level of oxygen in the blood).
|
