Ever felt some sticky and thick liquid sliding down your throat? Or even more – Have you noticed the weird liquid coming out when you have a cold? Let me tell you, that infamous substance is called Mucus. But before you jump to conclusions, just know that mucus is not an ordinary substance. It is present in various parts of our body including the mouth, eyes, sinuses, and intestines. One thing more, the mucus plays an important role in shielding your body from viruses or irritants as whenever a bacteria enters your airway (nasal cavity, throat, windpipe, etc) it gets stuck in the mucus.
The mucus which we all have experienced is normally clear but when it turns into a greenish or yellowish color that means something’s off – most likely a bacterial infection. These types of infections can lead to different diseases like bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or even long-term lung irritation. However, it can be critical if a baby has caught any of these diseases
But a question may arise in your brain “How can you cure these types of diseases if you encounter them?”. In this blog, we will discuss how you can treat chest congestion in babies with a technique called Chest Physiotherapy for infants.
What is Chest Physiotherapy (CPT)
Chest Physiotherapy is a method that is used to remove (drain) all the excess mucus from your lungs. This technique is now mostly used for babies or infants suffering from respiratory issues and is no longer used for adults due to the introduction of more advanced processes.
It is used for babies with many respiratory conditions like bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia as it helps clear airways to make breathing easier. Although there are more ways to get rid of extra mucus, Chest physiotherapy for infants remains a top priority among doctors.
How to do Chest Physiotherapy on Babies
There are two methods you can follow to relieve chest congestion in babies – traditional palm pressing and using the percussor cups. However, the percussor cups are more famous and effective for CPT. Here’s how you can do chest physiotherapy for babies using percussor cups.
- Place your child in a way (better if in your lap) so the part of the lung that has to drain mucus remains higher than other parts.
- While doing chest physiotherapy for babies make your child wear a shirt – even a thin T-shirt would do.
- Hold the percussor cup in your fingers and gently but firmly pat over the child’s upper back (between the shoulder blades), mid back (just below the shoulder blade), and chest area (the front of the ribcage).
- Percussion may only take 20 to 40 minutes.
Precautions for Doing Chest Therapy for Babies Using Percussor Cups
- Never use the percussor cups directly on the skin. Always make sure that the baby is wearing a shirt.
- Do not use the percussor cups directly after a meal. Wait for at least an hour after the child has had his or her food.
- Only do chest physiotherapy for infants with bronchiolitis when the physician has prescribed it.
- Do not percuss over the spine, breastbone, stomach lower ribs, or back as it can lead to serious injuries.
When is Chest Physiotherapy for Infants is Needed
If your child has a cold, you may think of it as a normal flu. Sometimes it is but sometimes it’s not. There are small structures on the lining of our lungs called Cilia which are responsible for clearing out excess mucus from our lungs. When the cilia cannot get rid of the mucus then it can lead to respiratory diseases like bronchiolitis. We perform chest physiotherapy for infants with bronchiolitis to help them drain mucus from their lungs.
When to Avoid Chest Physiotherapy for Babies
While chest physiotherapy is beneficial for babies to clear out excess mucus from their lungs, there are some situations when you should avoid doing chest physiotherapy for babies. Let’s discuss when you should avoid doing chest physiotherapy for babies.
Severe Respiratory Distress
If your baby is suffering from severe respiratory issues then performing CPT can worsen the baby’s condition. In CPT, you have to apply pressure on the lungs, and if the baby has breathing issues then the pressure can lead to blockage of airways of the baby.
Underlying Heart Conditions
There is a possibility that a child may have some kind of underlying heart issues. CPT can disturb circulation and trigger any type of cardiac problems. It is better to consult a pediatrician (child specialist) before performing CPT on your baby if it has any heart conditions.
Cervical Spine Issues
You must avoid CPT if your child has any cervical spine (neck area) issues. Chest physiotherapy for babies can be dangerous for babies with neck-spine problems as certain positions can worsen the conditions or lead to serious injury.
Recent Surgery
If your child has recently undergone a chest or spinal surgery then avoid performing CPT. Applying pressure can affect the wounds or the bones very badly. It would be good to try other ways which we have discussed below to release excess mucus.
Alternatives of Chest Physiotherapy for Babies
No doubt CPT is a proven and effective method of clearing stuck mucus from the lungs but there are some other ways that can help. Explore various natural ways to cure chest congestion in babies.
Drinking Liquid
You might have heard “Drink plenty of water or liquids to prevent or cure this or that” but let us tell you this time it actually works. Giving your baby warm liquids will help thin the mucus and eventually, it will come out of the throat.
Use a humidifier
Steam can also help loosen up mucus and clear congestion. You can either buy a humidifier from a local drugstore or you can simply lean over a hot bowl of water, cover your head, and inhale the steam.
Percussive Massage
A gentle percussive massage can be helpful in draining the mucus from the baby’s throat and lungs and getting the phlegm out of the throat easily as well. It is a very effective alternative to chest physiotherapy for infants with bronchiolitis.
What We’ve Learned
If you’re reading this part then you’ve probably gone through all the information provided related to chest physiotherapy for infants. All the methods for CPT discussed above are beneficial and can be implemented to get rid of excess mucus and clear the lungs and airways of your child.
While CPT is highly effective, consulting a doctor is necessary before opting for chest physiotherapy for infants if your baby is suffering from severe respiratory problems. If you are residing in Abu Dhabi and are looking for any medical centers or hospitals offering the best chest physiotherapy in Abu Dhabi, you can visit Abu Dhabi Medical Center.
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