Postural drainage
Postural drainage is a series of body positions that use gravity to drain mucus from the lungs into the mouth so the person can spit it out. Postural drainage often helps people who have chronic lung disease, such as cystic fibrosis, to drain mucus from different parts of their lungs.
Draining mucus from the lungs can:
- Help prevent infections, which may lead to fewer lung problems.
- Open airways, which can lead to better breathing.
- Lead to an improved quality of life.
- Reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
What techniques can help your child cough up mucus caused by cystic fibrosis?
Draining mucus from the lungs and coughing it up can help to clear the lungs. Doing this every day can help your child maintain lung function and avoid problems from mucus.
Here are three ways to help clear your child's lungs. You may hear these called airway clearance techniques, or ACT.
- Postural drainage uses certain body positions to help clear different parts of the lungs.
- Chest and back percussion uses clapping (percussing) with a cupped hand, deep breathing, and then vibration to loosen and move mucus.
- Huffing and coughing. A huff is a forced breath. Huffing helps move mucus up in the lungs. Coughing moves it out.
It's important to keep using these techniques every day, even if you don't notice your child's lungs working better right away. Postural drainage, chest percussion and vibration, and huffing and coughing can work well when used regularly.
As your child gets older, they'll be able to do these techniques on their own. They may use a percussive vest or a positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device.
Your child's care team will make a personal treatment plan that includes airway clearance techniques. These therapies are one part of a larger treatment plan to help keep your child's lungs clear.
How to use postural drainage to clear the sides of your lungs
Postural drainage means lying down in different positions to help drain mucus from your lungs. Do it about 30 minutes after you use your inhaler. Make sure you have an empty stomach. If you need to cough, sit up and do controlled coughing.
Here's how to drain the sides of your lungs.
- Lie down on one side on a bed or the floor.
Place two or three pillows under your hips. Use a small pillow under your head if it helps you feel more comfortable. Make sure your chest is lower than your hips.
- Do belly breathing or diaphragmatic (say "die-uh-fruh-MAT-ik") breathing.
With one hand on your belly and the other on your chest, breathe in through your nose. Push your belly out as far as possible. You should be able to feel the hand on your belly move out, while the hand on your chest should not move. When you breathe out through your mouth, you should be able to feel the hand on your belly move in.
- After you drain one side, turn over and drain the other side.
Postural drainage: Front
You can lie in different positions to help clear your lungs. To help drain mucus from the front of your lungs, lie on your back. Make sure your chest is lower than your hips. Put two or three pillows under your hips. Use a small pillow under your head if it helps you feel more comfortable. Keep your arms at your sides. Take slow, deep breaths.
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