What is Chest Physiotherapy?

When you are healthy, and your lungs are clear, it becomes easy to breathe. Occasionally, you feel like coughing, which is normal as it protects your lungs and gets rid of mucus or any foreign matter. 

A thin layer of mucus in your lungs picks up any particles as these are moved across the lung tissues by tiny hairs called “cilia.” The trachea and larynx are the places in your body where the mucus gradually moves towards, and from there, it can be swallowed or expectorated. 

Coughing alone is not enough if your mucus becomes too thick. You have to visit a doctor to check if you have any respiratory condition or not. A professional chest physiotherapist is the one who helps in getting rid of excess mucus in the lung. In this blog, we will learn everything about what is chest physiotherapy, why you should get one, and how it can help you treat your respiratory problems. Are you ready? Keep reading to satisfy your intellect. 

What is chest therapy?

Chest therapy is a form of physiotherapy that combines the use of several techniques and devices to make it easier to loosen the mucus in your lungs. Traditional chest physiotherapy techniques were first used more than 100 years ago to treat respiratory health and have evolved over time. Those methods include breaking up the mucus using vibration or the PDPV technique (postural drainage, percussion, and vibration). Now these traditional treatment methods might be used with pulmonary rehabilitation or bronchodilator therapy treatment plans. 

Reasons to get chest therapy

Your doctor will advise you whether chest physiotherapy is the right choice for you based on the observations –

• The amount of mucus you cough up from your lungs.
• What are the sounds of your breathing?
• If there is any abnormal chest X-ray.
• How much oxygen is in your blood?
• Changes in vital signs.

The answer to all the above observations will provide you with the reason to get the chest therapy done. 

Benefits of chest therapy

Chest physiotherapy comes with many benefits starting from clearing mucus to enhance the overall quality of life. Let’s understand this in more detail. 

Clearing mucus

The supreme aim of chest physiotherapy is to be able to clear mucus and secretions from airways. A professional physiotherapist can help you in this case with techniques like PDPV to make a clear airway for excess mucus. By doing so, the patient can reduce the risk of respiratory infections like pneumonia and hence improve lung functioning. This is especially useful for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis who face difficulty in clearing mucus on their own.

Lung expansion

Exercises included in chest physiotherapy techniques aimed at promoting better ventilation and oxygenation of the lungs. Examples of some exercises are incentive spirometry, diaphragmatic breathing exercises and deep breathing exercises. All this leads to improved respiratory efficiency and reduced breathlessness so that you can engage in your daily activities with greater ease. 

Prevents respiratory complications

Chest physiotherapy is a very significant technique and like a blessing to people fighting respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia. As it keeps the airways clear and promote the lung expansion, chest physiotherapy therefore reduces your visits to hospitals and improves patient outcomes. 

Improves respiratory efficiency

We have mentioned that chest physiotherapy results in strengthening respiratory muscles and expansion of the lungs. Thus, this means that your lungs can take in more oxygen and effectively expel more carbon dioxide. When it does so, it takes less effort to breathe, makes daily activities easier, and reduces fatigue. 

Enhance the quality of life

The ultimate aim of chest physiotherapy is to improve the quality of life for those individuals who are experiencing respiratory issues. It empowers individuals to manage their symptoms like wheezing and coughing. When patients feel that their symptoms are alleviated, they can comfortably participate in physical activities and social interactions without feeling limited by their condition.

Additionally, by reducing the frequency and severity of exacerbations and hospitalizations, chest physiotherapy allows individuals to spend more time with their families and pursue their passions without the burden of respiratory illness holding them back.

Overall, chest physiotherapy not only improves respiratory health but also enhances the overall quality of life for individuals with respiratory conditions, enabling them to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.

To make a long story short

In conclusion, chest physiotherapy offers a range of benefits for individuals with respiratory conditions, as well as those recovering from surgery or acute illnesses. From clearing mucus and promoting lung expansion to preventing respiratory complications and alleviating symptoms, physiotherapy plays a crucial role in improving respiratory health and enhancing quality of life. If you or a loved one is struggling with a respiratory condition, consider incorporating chest physiotherapy into your treatment plan for better respiratory health and overall well-being.