Condition
Postural drainage, modern airway clearance, and physiotherapy management for bronchiectasis.
ICD-10-CM: J47
Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition where the airways become widened and prone to holding mucus, leading to repeated chest infections, a persistent cough, and breathlessness. It sounds daunting, but consistent airway care can greatly reduce symptoms and flare-ups.
Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of management, teaching airway clearance techniques and exercise to keep the lungs clearer and the body fitter. In this guide we cover postural drainage, modern airway clearance methods, and evidence-based physiotherapy management for bronchiectasis — practical guidance for clinicians and clear, supportive explanations so patients understand how daily clearance and staying active help them breathe more easily and stay well.
A guide to bronchiectasis physiotherapy covering lobe-specific postural drainage, modified positions for elderly and cardiac patients, the move away from prolonged head-down tilt, and how nebulised hypertonic saline fits into modern airway clearance.
