Chest Percussion
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Chest percussion involves the creation of deliberate vibrations, as a type of calculated hitting over the chest that can effectively break up thick secretions commonly associated with respiratory infections. An adaptation of the Hitting Method of the Tao System of Traditional Chinese Medicine, chest percussion involves striking the palm side of a cupped hand along the center of the upper rib cage downward until the bottom of the rib cage, tapping 10 to 12 times every 4 or so inches apart. The cupping will deliver a maximal vibration that will penetrate the chest cavity, bronchial tree, and into the depths of the lungs, where the mechanical stimulation will loosen thick mucous secretions. Once loosened, the action of the cilia (tiny hairs that direct the flow of air and sputum) will clear the mucus and restore your fuller breathing capacity. Similar rapid but low intensity cupping over the sternum is useful in stimulating the thymus, an important organ of immunity.
ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:
Chest percussion is most commonly used to treat cystic fibrosis patients, however people with lung diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will also benefit from the technique.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT: 1-2 sessions a day
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Chest percussion should not be performed on people suffering from bleeding from the lungs, neck or head injuries, fractured ribs, collapsed lungs, damaged chest walls, tuberculosis, acute asthma, recent heart attack, pulmonary embolism, lung abscess, active hemorrhage, and some spinal injuries, those who have recently had surgery or who have open wounds or burns, and those taking blood-thinning medications.
Health Headlines
upcoming Events
U.S. Events
congresses
fellowships
-
FELLOWSHIP IN INTEGRATIVE CANCER THERAPIES, Module III
Boca Raton, FL | FEB. 18-19, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN INTEGRATIVE CANCER THERAPIES, Module IV
Boca Raton, FL | FEB. 20-21, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN ANTI-AGING & REGENERATIVE MEDICINE,
Modules II & V | Boca Raton, FL
MAR. 19-21, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN ANTI-AGING & REGENERATIVE MEDICINE,
Modules I, VII & X | Orlando, FL
APR. 15-17, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN AESTHETIC MEDICINE, Module II
Orlando, FL | APR. 14-15, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE, NUTRITION & SPORTS MEDICINE Module I
Orlando, FL | APR. 14-16, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE, NUTRITION & SPORTS MEDICINE, Module IV
Orlando, FL APR. 16-17, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN ANTI-AGING & REGENERATIVE MEDICINE,
Modules IV & V | Los Angeles, CA
May 14-16, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN INTEGRATIVE CANCER THERAPIES, Module V
Boca Raton, FL | MAY 20-21, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN INTEGRATIVE CANCER THERAPIES, Module VI
Boca Raton, FL | MAY 22-23, 2010 -
FELLOWSHIP IN ANTI-AGING & REGENERATIVE MEDICINE,
Modules III & XI | Boca Raton, FL
JUNE 25-27, 2010
symposium
-
Advanced Hormone Symposium
Chicago, IL | Oct. 8-10, 2010
workshop
-
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Workshop
| Los Angeles, CA
May 14-16, 2010
International Events
- Milan | Mar. 18-20, 2010
- Kuala Lumpur | Apr. 29 - May 2, 2010
- Bangkok | May 27 - May 29, 2010
- Bucharest | May 2010 (pending)
- Seoul | May 2010 (pending)
- Melbourne | Aug. 21-22, 2010
- Dubai | Oct. 26-27, 2010
- Jakarta | October 2010 (pending)
- Bali | October 2010 (pending)
- Sao Paulo | Nov. 5-6, 2010
- Mainz-Frankfurt | Nov. 8-10, 2010
- Shanghai | November 2010 (pending)


