Chest Cupping

In line with todays headlines of more and more cases of Swine Flu popping up across the country I want to share a technique that could save the life of someone you love if this flu turns into a pandemic and health services are hard to access. Or in the event of an EOTWAWKI scenario and health services have been totally interrupted.

Its called chest cupping. I learned this technique years ago when I did a practicum as a CNA and was fortunate enough to do rounds with a respiratory therapist. This technique is not hard and if done correctly with cupped hands should not result in injury. However, as a disclaimer, use at your own discretion and caution. I will add a link at the end that will describe this and other methods that can be used to assist a patient breathe easier and help clear mucus secretions....but pay specific attention to the warnings.

The basic concept of chest cupping is that the percussion of your cupped hands in a rhythmic motion on the sides along the rib cage and across the back in the lung lobe region will result in the loosening of thick mucus that accompanies the flu and often results in the flu turning into pneumonia. It makes flem easier to cough up and improves oxygen intake. The patient will have immediate relief and be able to breathe much easier and deeper.

This is not a flat of hand slapping motion but rather a cupped hand (picture using your hand to get a drink of water) motion.

Read more about it and other techniques here- http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Chest+Physical+Therapy

You also may find the following link to narratives from people who lived through the 1918 pandemic intresting. 2008 marked the 90th anniversary of the pandemic that killed millions of people world wide.
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008/r080821a.htm?s_cid=mediarel_r080821a_x