How to Position for Postural Drainage

Respiratory disease causes mucus buildup in the lungs.

Illness and chronic disease can cause mucus to accumulate in the lungs, making breathing difficult. Coughing is not always enough to remove excess mucus from the lungs. Postural drainage is a technique that uses different body positions to allow mucus to move out of the lungs and into the throat through gravitational forces. Multiple positions are required to drain all five lobes of the left and right lungs. The patient can be instructed in coughing or deep breathing exercises to assist in clearing the mucus between changes in position. Progress through each position and maintain each position for five to 10 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Pillows, wedges or cushions
• Chair

Instructions

1. Place a pillow against the back of a chair. Sit on the edge of the chair and recline against the pillow so that your upper body is at a 30-degree angle. This position will drain the apical -- top -- portion of the upper lobes of the lungs.

2. Sit in the chair and place a pillow on your lap. Bend over at the waist to approximately 30 degrees and lay on the pillow. This position will drain the posterior segments of the upper lobes.

3. Lay flat on your back on a firm surface. This will drain the anterior segments of the upper lobes.

4. Position cushions or pillows at the foot of the bed or floor. Lay on one side with your legs elevated on the pillows to approximately 15 degrees. Slightly rotate your upper body backwards. This position is repeated on the opposite side and will drain mucus from the lingula of the left lung and the middle lobe of the right lung.

5. Lay on one side with your legs propped up at approximately 30 degrees above the level of your head. This position will be repeated on the opposite side and will drain the anterior segments of the lower lobes.

6. Lay on your stomach with your legs elevated at a 30-degree angle and a pillow under your hips to elevate them above the level of your head. This position will drain the posterior segments of both lower lobes.

7. Lay on one side with your legs elevated to approximately 30 degrees. Slightly rotate your upper body forward. Repeat on the opposite side to drain the lateral segments of the lower lobes.

8. Lay on your stomach with two pillows under your hips to drain the superior segments of the lower lobes of both lungs simultaneously.

References

• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: An Introduction to Postural Drainage & Percussion
• University of Miami Jackson Memorial Medical Center: Postural Drainage