Postural drainage uses gravity to help clear mucus and other secretions from the lungs, often in combination with techniques like percussion, vibration, and coughing. The body is placed in specific positions, which may include sitting, lying on the back, or on the side, to allow gravity to drain muc...
Postural drainage uses gravity to help clear mucus and other secretions from the lungs, often in combination with techniques like percussion, vibration, and coughing. The body is placed in specific positions, which may include sitting, lying on the back, or on the side, to allow gravity to drain mucus from affected lung segments. This process helps to prevent infection and breathing difficulties associated with conditions like cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis.
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Language: en
Added: Oct 31, 2025
Slides: 48 pages
Slide Content
POSTURAL
DRAINAGE
PD or bronchial drainage is a means of
mobilizing secretions in one or more lung
segments to the central airways by
placing the patients in various positions
so that the gravity assist in the drainage
process
It include the manual techniques such as
percussion, shaking, vibration and
voluntary coughing
When secretions are moved to the
larger airways, they are then cleared
by coughing or Endotracheal
suctioning.
Positions are based on the anatomy of the
lungs and the tracheobronchial tree.
The patient may be positioned on a
Postural drainage table that can be elevated at
one endeg;Tilt table
A small child can be positioned on the
physio’s lap.
To Prevent accumulation of secretions in
patients who are at risk for pulmonary
complications
This may include:
Patients with pulmonary diseases that
are associated with increased production
or viscosity of mucus, such as chronic
bronchitis and cystic fibrosis.
Patients who are on prolonged bed
rest.
Postsurgicalpatientswhohave
receivedgeneral anesthesia and who may have
painful incisions that restrict deep
breathing and coughing postoperatively.
Any patient who is on a ventilator if they
are stable enough to tolerate the
treatment.
Patients with acute or chronic lung disease, such
as pneumonia, Atelectasis, acute lung
infections, and COPD.
Patients who are generally very weak or are
elderly.
Cystic fibrosis
Bronchiactesis
Atelectasis
Lung abscess
Pneumonias
Acute lung disease
COPD –emphysema, chronic bronchitis
For patients with a high spinal cord lesion/
spinal cord injury, myopathies etc.
After surgeries (thoracic or abdominal surgery)
On prolonged bed rest
Patient received general anesthesia and
have painful incision that restrict deep
breathing and coughing postoperatively
Who is on ventilator (if stable enough to
tolerate PD)
Patient who is generally weak or old
Increased ICP
Unstable head or neck
injury
Active hemorrhage
Hemoptysis
Recent spinal injury
Empyema
Bronchoplueral fistula
Flail chest
Uncontrolled hypertension
Rib or vertebral fractures
Tuberculosis
Pulmonary embolism.
aged, confused, or anxious patients who don't
tolerate position changes
Loosen the dress
Sputum cup
Pillows
Explain the Rx and teach the patient
deep breathing and cough
Determine segments
Vital signs
Position the patient
Stand in front of pt
Maintain position
Apply manual
techniques
Do coughing or
suctioning
This is used to mobilize secretions by
mechanically dislodging viscous or adherent
mucus from the lungs
It is done by the cupped hand over the lung
segments being drained
Here the PTs cupped hand alternatively strikes
the patients chest wall in a rhythmic fashion to
help loosen thick secretions
The PT should try to keep his shoulder elbow
and wrist loose and mobile during the
maneuver
The procedure should not be painful
Contraindication to percussion
Over #
Osteoporotic bone
Spinal fusion
Over tumor area
Pulmonary embolus
Condition in which hemorrhage could easily
occur (low platelet count ,anticoagulation
therapy)
Patient with unstable angina
Case of chest wall pain (after any surgery
CABG or trauma
This is done in conjunction with percussion
It is applied only during expiration
It is applied by placing both hands directly over the
chest wall or one hand on top of other and gently
compressing
The therapist stiffen his arm and shoulder and
apply light pressure and rapidly vibrating the chest
wall as the patient breaths out
Vibration
The vibrating action is achieved by the PT
isometrically contracting the muscles of the
upper extremity from shoulder to hand
Ask the patient to breathe in deeply and
exhale slowly and completely.
Taking a deep breath and then exhaling
slowly and forcefully without straining will
hopefully stimulate a productive cough
It is a more vigorous form of vibration which is
applied during exhalation using an intermittent
bouncing maneuver coupled with wide
movements of the PTs hand
The PTs thumb are locked together the open
hands are placed directly over the patients
chest the fingers are wrapped around the
chest wall
The PT simultaneously compress and shake
the chest wall
•To drain mucus from the upper lobe apical
segments, the patient sits in a comfortable
position on a bed or flat surface and leans on
a back rest.
•The PT percusses and vibrates over the
muscular area between the collar bone and
very top of the shoulder blades on both
sides for 3 to 5 minutes.
•Encourage the patient to take a deep breath
and cough during percussion in order to
help the airways clearance
The patient lie on his left side and then
turn 45º on to his face , resting against a
pillow with an another pillow supporting
his head
The left arm should kept comfortably
behind his back with right arm resting on
a pillow, the right knee should be flexed
The patient lie on his right side and then
turn 45º on to his face with 3 pillows to
raise the shoulder 30cm (12 in) from the
bed.
The right arm should kept comfortably
behind his back with left arm resting on a
pillow, both knee should be slightly flexed
The patient lies flat on the bed or table
with a pillow under his head and legs and
arms relaxed by his side.
The chest PT is given to right and left
sides of the front of the chest, between
the collar bone and nipple.
Patient lie on his back with his body
quarter turned to the left maintain by a
pillow under right side from shoulder to
hip
Arm should relaxed by his side
Foot of the bed should be raised 35cm
(14in) from the ground
Chest is tilted to an angle of 15º
Patient lie on his back with his body
quarter turned to the right maintain by a
pillow under left side from shoulder to hip
Arm should relaxed by his side
Foot of the bed should be raised 35cm
(14in) from the ground
Chest is tilted to an angle of 15º
•Patient lie prone with the head turned to
one side
•Arm relaxed in a comfortable position by
the side
•A pillow under his hips
Patient lie flat on his back with the
buttocks resting on a pillow and knees
are flexed
The foot of the bed is elevated 46cm (18
in) from the ground
The chest is tilted to an angle of 20º
Patient lie prone with his head turned to
one side
Arms in a comfortable position by the
side
A pillow under his hip
The foot of the bed is elevated 46cm (18
in) from the ground
The chest is tilted to an angle of 20º
Patient lie on his right side with a pillow
under his hips
The foot end is raised 46cm (18in) from
the ground
The chest is tilted to an angle of 20º
Patient lie on his left side with a pillow under
his hips
The foot end is raised 46cm (18in) from the
ground
The chest is tilted to an angle of 20º