Anyone else enjoy percussion?

I read a lot of posts about auscultation, which I have a huge passion for. But not so much about percussion. I have for many years liked not only the feeling of my doctor percussing my chest, back or abdomin, but also seeing it being performed on a patient. Is there anyone else like me? I would love to hear of any percussion experiences you may have to share?

Can't say that I do. I'm obsessed with palpation and auscultation, but not at all into percussion. A cold stethoscope is at the top of my list

I love it as well. 😃 It's part of a thorough exam! I love the feeling of the doctor tapping on my chest, back, or tummy.

For me, a thorough medical examination should always start right "on the top" by controlling my eyes, nose, ears, mouth, teeth, throat and then moving slowely down to my neck, chest, arms and so on. Afterwards the same procedure begins on my neck, back if possible stand in my feet - bending over to look at my spine. Why dont perform slso a walking test? So this keeps the doc busy for about 10 - 15 minutes.

Afterwards to my hips, upper legs, knees and then all the way down my legs until my feet incl. all the toes.

That meens another 5 - 10 minutes..

Then arrives to the great moment of the pubic area incl. testicles and penis, At that time I have to get up and stand right in front of the doc for the hernia check.

Afterwards turning around to get my prostate checked. Sweet dreams!.

Have I forgotten anything?

Altogether this would take about 30 -to 40 minutes time - my greatest wish: all done stark naked, right from the beginning of my examination.

Of course I realise - for "legal" reasons this isn't possible any more in our days, at least for an adult person - parts of the body must remain covered!

As a play doctor, I find percussion one of the hardest techniques to carry out convincingly. I think it takes a lot of practice, so I don't use it extensively when I examine a guy.

I agree with Sydplay doc that it is a difficult technique to master but I find that most of my regular patients enjoy it so I always include it.

I quite enjoy the percussion component of the exam. In a play exam scenario I try my best to replicate percussion.

Yes having the fingers tap on my abdomen feels great and a good sensation

I enjoy percussion. I always percuss chest and back and do a very thorough abdominal percussion on my patients. It's not that hard with a little practice, the liver is the easiest and highest information yield in the belly exam. I realize that doctors don't do this much anymore, but this one always will. A few of my favorite patients have had slim but muscular abdomens that when percussed, give a great tympanic or dull sound effect. My doctor at least percusses my liver, which I enjoy.

One should always percuss the chest. It's the only way to determine if there's a pleural effusion. Percussing the liver is not nearly as effective as palpation in determining liver size.

I like the idea of it, just not trained/technically knowledgable enough to get any information from it!

I enjoy receiving percussion IF the arthritis in my chest wall and ribcage is not flared up and my lungs are not bothering me. Otherwise, I find it very painful! I generally enjoy receiving abdominal percussion and on my back. I find palpation the same, especially if the area has swelling, infection, condition etc, it is uncomfortable at best and horrid at the worst.

Yes, the skill is definitely challenging to master.

I also enjoy receiving percussion along with palpation. Having had experiences as a student with trainee medics, I can understand what others are saying about it being a difficult skill to master. However, in a play exam, while I want it to be realistic, I'm not looking for a medical diagnosis, so to me it doesn't matter if the play dr is able to do it 100% accurately, it's the inclusion of it that is important to me.

I enjoy receiving percussion and am receiving it twice daily at the minute from a visiting nurse as I have Cystic Fibrosis . I hate the vibes that follow it though.

I agree the skill is definitely a difficult one to master.

The two nurses that visit both carry it out. The female one is in her 50's and the male one is 30 . The male nurse trained at a well known chest hospital. Personally I think his percussion is better . The female nurse does the vibes better .

I love the sensation of percussion.

Yes there is nothing better than cupping and clapping for good pulmonary toilet. It is becoming a lost art here which is unfortunate.

Yes Liquidsky I can totally agree with what you have said. When I first started in ITU we were taught proper auscultation via a stethoscope and by feeling the chest wall by a senior physiotherapist ( who said during their training they did not use stethoscope but relied mainly on touch ). We we all taught to perform percussion and vibs as most ITU patients do need extra chest physio at times.

Recently I was shock to know that cupping seems to be a dying art, as a friend was having chest physio as they were chesty and when percussing the chest cupping was not used at all.

In my clinical area the art of touch to assess the chest for respiratory secretions is also being slowly being lost and even proper auscultation by the junior nurses. Clinical skills seems to be fast becoming a dying or lost art, their is too much reliance on technology, instead of detailed physical exam, for instance instead of a detailed chest auscultation they would want a Chest Xray.

I LOVE percussion! Our bodies are the coolest instrument and the tapping on my belly also feels great. I feel like a drum, and it's incredibly empowering. I get super wet...