Postural Drainage
Caution: Always do postural drainage on an empty stomach, and
If you have a chronic mucus problem or increased mucus from an infection, lying with your chest lower than your abdomen can loosen and drain excess mucus from your lungs. Find positions that are comfortable for you. You can lie on a bed or on the floor, using pillows as shown, or you can prop a bed up on one end. Maintain each position for at least
Check with your doctor before trying these positions.
On Your Back
To drain the front of your lungs:
Lie on a slanted surface with your chest lower than your hips.
Place a small pillow under your head and two pillows under your knees. Lie with your knees bent over the pillows.
Rest your arms at your sides and take deep breaths from your belly; this is called diaphragmatic breathing.
On Each Side
To drain the sides of your lungs:
Place a small pillow under your head and two or three pillows under your hips.
Lie on one side with your chest lower than your hips.
Breathe using diaphragmatic breathing. After
five-to-ten minutes, switch to the other side.
On Your Stomach
To drain the back of your lungs:
Put two or three pillows under your stomach.
Kneel over the pillows, so that your chest is lower than your hips.
Rest your arms by your head and breathe using diaphragmatic breathing.