When should chest physiotherapy be scheduled to avoid vomiting?

Chest physiotherapy is a technique used to help clear mucus from the lungs, especially in children with respiratory conditions. To avoid triggering vomiting during this treatment, it’s important to consider the timing of meals.

Scheduling chest physiotherapy 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal allows for the stomach to be relatively empty during the procedure. This timing helps minimize the likelihood of the child experiencing discomfort or nausea that could lead to vomiting. If the therapy is done too close to mealtime, especially right after eating, the movement and manipulation involved in chest physiotherapy can stimulate the gag reflex or cause the stomach contents to be disturbed, increasing the risk of vomiting.

Furthermore, planning therapy at these intervals ensures that the child receives both the nutritional benefits of their meals and the therapeutic benefits of physiotherapy without the negative consequence of vomiting. This timing is crucial for the comfort and safety of the child undergoing treatment.