This article explores the purpose of chest percussion, potential risks, and how it’s performed.
Strategic clapping on the chest or back shakes the sticky mucus loose.
Postural drainage involves sitting or lying down and breathing slowly and deeply to help drain mucus.
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Vibration is similar to percussion but instead involves using a flat hand to gently shake the ribs.
Click Play to Learn About Chest Percussions
This video has been medically reviewed bySanja Jelic, MD.
Risks and Contraindications
Chest percussion is a very safe procedure if performed correctly and carefully.
Your healthcare provider will advise you on the best times to perform the technique.
Chest percussion works best after abronchodilator treatment, so you might want to keep that in mind.
It’s not a good idea, though, to perform chest percussion right after you’ve eaten.
Banging on your chest or back following even a small meal could make you sick.
Ask your therapist or healthcare provider which position is right for you.
What to Wear
Note that the procedure shouldn’t be performed on bare skin.
see to it you’re wearing a shirt or use a towel to cover the area being treated.
The hand should be in a cupped position, with fingers and the thumb together.
They will then quickly and repeatedly clap you on the back of the chest with their hand.
The percussion should be relatively vigorous and rhythmic, but it should not be painful.
If pain occurs, the hand may not be properly cupped and should be adjusted.
Combining chest percussion with coughing or other methods of bringing up loosened mucus can also be helpful.
A Word From Verywell
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Morrow BM.Airway clearance therapy in acute paediatric respiratory illness: A state-of-the-art review.South African Journal of Physiotherapy.
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Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).Basics of postural drainage and percussion.
