Other Treatments for Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

In addition to medications and surgery, other treatments are often used to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with COPD. These treatments help reduce phlegm and other pulmonary secretions. Reducing these makes breathing easier.

Directed Cough

In general, coughing helps clear mucus from the lungs. However, directed coughing allows you to cough from deep in your lungs to get the mucus to move up the airway and out of the body. It works best after using an inhaler. It is important to maintain control while doing this. If your cough becomes uncontrolled, the airways will close up and the mucus will not be able to come out.

Postural Bronchial Drainage

This procedure is designed to help remove secretions from the airways. You are instructed to lie in various positions. The different positions allow gravity to drain fluids from different parts of your lungs. This may be done after inhaling an aerosol that loosens secretions.

Chest Percussion

In this procedure, a respiratory therapist lightly claps the chest and back. This helps to dislodge large amounts of secretions and makes them easier to cough up and spit out.

While this may be used, the evidence supporting the effectiveness of postural drainage or chest percussion is weak

Talk to Your Doctor First

Although these treatments are not generally used as part of overall COPD management, they may provide benefit to some people under certain circumstances. Talk to your doctor before using these treatments because some may be more effective for you than others.