A patient’s guide
                          Postural drainage
                                       A patient’s guide
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                                   A patient’s guide
       What is postural drainage?           When should you NOT use 
       Postural drainage is a sputum        postural drainage?
       clearance method using gravity       You should not do postural 
       to aid the removal of sputum         drainage as part of your 
       from the deeper parts of             physiotherapy regime if you 
       your lungs. It is most effective     have or develop any of the 
       for people who produce a             following:
       moderate to large amount of          • Gastro-oesophageal reflux 
       sputum (half a pot per day).           (acid reflux/acid stomach)
       The technique is usually used        • Nausea
       in conjunction with the Active       • Significant increase in 
       Cycle of Breathing Techniques          breathlessness
       (ACBT), there is a leaflet 
       available on request, and it         • Current haemoptysis (fresh 
       can also be used with manual           blood in your sputum)
       techniques (chest percussion/        • Recent rib, spine or muscle 
       shaking).                              injury
       Your physiotherapist will            • Bronchospasm (wheeze)
       discuss the leaflet with you,        Do not do postural drainage 
       ensuring you are aware there         for at least an hour after 
       are alternative chest clearance      eating a large meal.
       techniques. They will also 
       advise you that the risks are        Discuss with your 
       included in the ‘when should         physiotherapist about 
       you not use postural drainage’.      alternative chest clearance and 
                                            postural drainage techniques.
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                                                 A patient’s guide
      When should you do your                                   What do you need to do 
      treatment?                                                before starting postural 
      • You should aim to do your                               drainage?
          physiotherapy sessions(s)                             • Wear comfortable clothing
          at a convenient time for                              • Allow enough time to 
          you, balancing this with                                 complete your physiotherapy 
          when you are at your most                                treatment. This can be from 
          productive of sputum                                     10 minutes up to half an 
      • Start so that you are draining                             hour
          the most affected area of                             • Remember to take your 
          your lungs first. For you this                           prescribed inhalers at the 
          is: ............................................         appropriate time, eg: 
          .................................................
          .................................................        DNase 
          .................................................        1 hour before physiotherapy
          .................................................        Bronchodilators 
      • You should aim to stay in                                (Salbutamol/Atrovent) 
          each position for at least 10                            10 mins before physiotherapy
          minutes for most effective 
          treatment                                                Nebulized antibiotics  
                                                                 (Colomycin/TOBI) 
                                                                   Within 30 mins after 
                                                                 physiotherapy
                                                                   Nebulized steroids 
                                                                 (Becotide)  
                                                                   Within 30 mins after 
                                                                 physiotherapy
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                             A patient’s guide
      What positions should you use?
      On the following pages are a few of the most commonly used 
      postural drainage positions, with a short explanation of how to 
      assume these positions at home.
      Your postural drainage position will have a tick in the box.
      Upright sitting 
      This position helps to drain 
      the upper part of your lungs 
      (uppers).
      Sit in a comfortable upright 
      position. You can lean slightly 
      forwards to affect the back of 
      your lungs or lean backwards 
      to affect the front of your 
      lungs.
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