THE MERCK MANUAL HOME HEALTH HANDBOOKmultimedia

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Chest Physical Therapy

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Postural Drainage and Percussion

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  • Chest Physical Therapy
  • In postural drainage, the person lies on one side on a decline to help drain the lungs. The therapist strikes the chest wall with a cupped hand (percussion) and uses rapid massage to loosen secretions. Forceful coughing helps excrete the sputum.

    (Courtesy of Beryl J. Rosenstein, M.D., Johns Hopkins Hospital.)

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