Emphysema and Massage ??

[sancho]

Hi,

I know there are all kinds of people on this board with lots of knowledge and life experience so I thought I would throw this question out there.

My father is 71 and has severe (I mean SEVERE) Emphysema. After 50 years of smoking 2 packs a day and never (really, never, in 50 years) going to a doctor, he has quit smoking and is under a doctor's care (living in an assisted living community). He is getting respitory treatments, all kinds of meds and oxygen. But he is still "too tired" (maybe unmotivated) to get out of bed and is still very short of breath (and anxious about it).

My aunt heard from a friend from Europe that there are physical therapists that do massages to loosen the phlegm from the lungs and help to clear them. Has anyone else heard of this or done it ( or had it done) and if so, where would I start to find someone ?

Any other treatments out there that others know of or have tried?

Thanks,

Lauren

[NY25]

Lauren - you will probably get better/more response if you post this question in the Open Discussion forum. You've (probably inadvertently) posted this in the forum on Computer Downloads. I'd suggest reposting, so many more people see your post.