★★★★★
Using my fingertips, I would firmly tap, moving my hands around both lung areas of the back several times a day/night and it helped break up the mucous every time! He was then able to cough up the mucous and got better much quicker.
Also, in addition to using a warm mist humidifier overnight while he slept, I would take him into the bathroom with a book to read him, turn the shower water on hot, full blast and have him inhale the steam. Between the back tapping and the steam, he would be good as new in no time! :)
Pulmonary Cupping or Back Whacking
★★★★★
Years ago I had pneumonia and even though after one week I felt better I was actually worse as all the crap in my lungs had sunk to the bottom. They put me on a new antibiotic that in the end did the trick, but when I asked my doctor "what else can I do?" she said "find someone to slap your back". I didn't then, but in the past few years I have had many many simple colds that turn into chest colds (I'm a smoker, have to quit that I know) and as everything else improves, my cough is persistent for a long time after. Unless I call my nurse friends over to whack my back that is. They can tell by the sound when they're cupping where the congestion is. Sort of like knocking on a wall to find the stud, the sound density is different. Once they find the spot or spots where the mucus is, they go to town and I hack it up. I can't recommend it enough, it always works and gets rid of the cough in 48 hours or less. You have to do it a few times, but it always works.
