Postural Drainage Breathing
A clinical airway clearance technique combining specific body positioning with controlled diaphragmatic breathing to mobilize pulmonary secretions. It leverages gravity and airflow to move mucus from smaller peripheral airways to larger central airways for expectoration.
- 1Assume the specific drainage position prescribed for your affected lung segment (e.g., lying on your side, or with hips elevated).
- 2Place your hands on your abdomen and inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, expanding your belly.
- 3Hold your breath for 2 to 3 seconds to allow air to get behind the mucus.
- 4Exhale slowly and completely through pursed lips, making the exhalation longer than the inhalation.
- 5Repeat this breathing cycle for 5 to 10 minutes while maintaining the drainage position.
- 6Finish with 2 to 3 forced expirations ('huffing') or a controlled cough to clear the mobilized secretions.
Postural drainage utilizes gravity to assist in the clearance of secretions from specific lung lobes. When combined with controlled diaphragmatic breathing and prolonged exhalation, it increases collateral ventilation and prevents premature airway closure. This optimizes the two-phase gas-liquid flow, creating shearing forces that detach viscous mucus from the bronchial walls, moving it toward the trachea where it can be cleared via a huff cough.
Treats Symptoms
Target Metrics
Severe hemoptysis, untreated pneumothorax, recent spinal surgery, head injury with elevated intracranial pressure, active pulmonary embolism, and severe cardiovascular instability.
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