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For example, there may be congestion in the upper front and upper back parts of the lungs. You may use more than one position depending on where the chest congestion is located. Stay in the prescribed position for 15 - 20 minutes. Position yourself as in the photo, but rest on your right side. To drain the bottom part of the left lung, lay flat on your right side. Check with your doctor first before lowering the bed. If using a hospital bed, it is also possible to lower the head of the bed while the hips are propped. The hips should be propped up about 18 –20 inches. Proper pillow placement is important to protect the skin. To drain the bottom part of the right lung, lay flat on your left side. To drain the upper back part of the lungs, the person should be sitting up and leaning slightly forward.Ĭongestion in the bottom parts of the lungs: To drain the upper front part of the lungs, the person should be sitting up and leaning back.Ĭongestion in the upper back part of the lungs: Check with your doctor first before lowering the bed.Ĭongestion in the upper front part of the lungs: The hips should be propped up about 18 -20 inches. To drain the bottom front parts of the lungs, the person should lie on his/her back with the hips propped up on pillows. Check with your doctor first before lowering the bed.Ĭongestion in the bottom front part of the lungs: The hips should be propped up about 18-20 inches as shown below. To drain the lungs in the lower back, the person should lie face down (prone) with the hips propped up with pillows. See below.Ĭongestion in the lower back part of the lungs: Place the person in the position that relates best to the location of the mucous. Mucous can move around, so it is important that you check each time you do this. Each person and each day may be different. For example, you may feel "rattling" in the upper parts of the chest or only in the back. The chest should be felt to see where the mucous is located. Keep in mind that these positions are the "ideal." Due to the type of injury or spasms, there may be limitations on positioning. All of these practices help keep the lungs healthy. This is also a good time for a person to do deep breathing exercises or incentive spirometry. Clapping and vibration are done when the person is placed in certain postural drainage positions.įor best results, postural drainage, clapping and vibration should be done regularly in order to prevent serious infections like pneumonia. It helps the mucous move from the small air sacs to the larger airways where it can be coughed or suctioned out. This will help loosen the mucous by shaking it loose. Do not do this if it makes breathing harder or if it affects the heart rate.Ĭlapping and vibration may be added to the postural drainage routine.

This method and the specific positions should be discussed with the doctor first. For example, as soon as a person shows signs of getting a cold or has flu-like feelings, postural drainage and increased fluids should be started to prevent more serious lung infections. It can be an important way to prevent pneumonia. It allows gravity to help drain the mucous to the top of the lungs where it can be removed more easily. Postural drainage is a method for clearing the lungs by changing position.