Chest physiotherapy (CPT) are treatments generally performed by physical therapists and respiratory therapists, whereby breathing is improved by the indirect removal of mucus from the breathing passages of a patient.

There is no strong evidence to recommend chest physiotherapy as a routine treatment for adults who have pneumonia.

Clearance of secretions and improved ventilation of small airways should increase lung compliance.

If clearance of secretions from both large and small airways occurs, it is reasonable to assume that the work of breathing and oxygen consumption should decrease and that gas exchange improve.

[3][4] Further, if these objectives are achieved, the incidence of postoperative respiratory infection, morbidity, and hospital stay for those with acute and chronic lung diseases should be reduced.