Effective Chest Physiotherapy for Phlegm Removal from your lungs
Improve your breathing with our specific Chest Physiotherapy treatment techniques that assist in removing phlegm and secretion from the lungs.
Overview
How do I remove phlegm | Chest Physiotherapy
This is for individuals who have difficulty removing phlegm/secretion from their lungs. It incorporates several physiotherapy treatment techniques to improve drainage of phlegm, ability to cough and reduce effort required to remove phlegm and secretions.
Why is there a need for Chest Physiotherapy?
Mucus membranes line your mouth, nose, throat, sinuses and lungs, producing mucus to protect your airways. They trap bacteria and other particles you breathe in which may make you sick.
When the lungs are functioning normally, little hairs (known as cilia) move the mucus higher up in the airways towards your mouth to be cleared via coughing.
In individuals with chronic conditions like bronchiectasis, cilia does not function normally and mucus gets stuck in the lungs, along with all the bacteria it has trapped.
If you have weak respiratory muscles which limits the ability to fully expand your rib cage, you will struggle to take a big breath in and force air out to produce an effective cough.
Without external efforts to remove the mucus, there is an increased risk of chest infections and inflammation.
Chest Physiotherapy helps clear out the mucus and, along with it, any harmful bacteria that’s been collected, making it easier for you to breathe.
Heart and Lung Physio provides Chest Physiotherapy in Central Singapore (Novena).
Contact our clinic in Singapore today to request for a chest physiotherapist.

Heart & Lung Physio Assessment and Rehabilitation Process
Your primary doctor will refer you to us, specifying the below information:
- Reason for referral (i.e. secretion clearance)
- Type of lung condition
- Which lobes of your lung are affected, attached with any latest chest X-ray film
- Current medications that you are on
- Any precautions or contraindications to note
An initial assessment will be carried out by our therapist to assess:
- History of your lung condition
- Any coping mechanisms
- Any previous exercises taught to assist in clearing your phlegm
- Any functional limitations due to your lung condition
With the above information, our physiotherapists will be able to prescribe the appropriate and safe chest physiotherapy techniques to assist in clearing your phlegm.
Our physiotherapists are also trained in assisting in maintenance of lung hygiene, for individuals with long-standing phlegm clearing issues and require further adjuncts to assist in clearing of phlegm:
- Suctioning of phlegm, titration of frequency of suctioning
- Use of cough assist, titration of cough assist settings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chest Physiotherapy?
How do I know if my cough is weak and require chest physiotherapy?
My loved one has just been discharged from the hospital with home suctioning device and/or cough assist, do you provide home visits or caregiver training for such cases?
Our therapists are trained in the usage of both the suctioning device, as well as the cough assist machine. A home visit can be scheduled with our therapist, for them to do a routine visit to your home to assist in chest physiotherapy for your family members.
My loved one has been discharged home with a home ventilator machine, can I sign up for this service?
Our therapists have experience in managing ventilated patients, and will be able to assist in chest physiotherapy for your loved ones safely and effectively.
If you are unsure of whether you are eligible to enrol into our chest physiotherapy programme, drop us an enquiry on our enquiry page. Our physiotherapists will get back to you as soon as possible!
Who should have chest physiotherapy?
Our doctor may recommend Chest Physiotherapy to help loosen and cough up lung secretions from conditions such as:
- Bronchiectasis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Lung infections, which include pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and lung abscess
- Neuromuscular diseases, which include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Surgery, which includes lung removal and other surgeries that make it difficult to take a deep breath.
- Immobility, in which you have a low activity level due to being bedbound or in a wheelchair. Chest PT help prevent pneumonia and other breathing problems due to long-term immobility
