Definition: Chest percussion, also referred to as chest physiotherapy, is an airway clearance technique that involves clapping on the chest and/or back to help loosen thick secretions. Doing this makes mucus easier to expel, or cough up.
Chest percussion is often coupled with postural drainage and vibration, and can be performed using either cupped hands or a mechanical airway clearance device.
Chest percussion works best after a bronchodilator treatment
.Also Known As: chest physiotherapy, chest PT, airway clearance technique
