What is Chest Physiotherapy?

Chest Physiotherapy or CPT is a technique that is used to drain the lungs of excess mucus. It is used as a treatment for a lot of respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. In more recent times, studies have shown that it has been successfully used in Covid-19 cases to prevent the need for artificial ventilators.

It is most commonly used in the case of cystic fibrosis, which is a genetic condition that causes lung infections and restricts one’s ability to breathe over a period of time. The mucus becomes thick and sticky, and it causes the airways of the lungs to clog up. Germs and bacteria are also trapped, which causes infections and inflammation.

 

Purpose of Chest Physiotherapy

CPT is generally performed to loosen up and expel mucus that is excess. This is done so that the mucus doesn’t build up in the lungs to cause problems such as cystic fibrosis. There are also aims of removal of blocked airways and airway secretions.

If the objectives of chest physiotherapy are achieved well, an increase in local lung expansion should take place. It should also create a parallel increase in perfusion to the affected area. When secretions are cleared from the larger airways, airways resistance and obstruction should all decrease as well.

Smaller airways when cleared should help facilitate lung compliance. By the end of all the treatments, if both large and smaller airways are successfully cleared up, then the work of breathing and oxygen consumption should decrease, and gas exchange should improve. Furthermore, if these objectives are achieved, the incidence of postoperative respiratory infections, morbidities, and hospital stays for those with acute and chronic lung diseases should be reduced.