Patent ID: 8881726

Claim:
A method of relieving pain in a patient having one or more fractured ribs, wherein the pain is produced by the patient breathing in and out and wherein the pain interrupts sleeping in the patient, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a continuous positive airway pressure machine having an air flow pressure control device accessible by the patient during use of said continuous positive airway pressure machine, a face attachment for attaching to the face of the patient, and a hose attached at a first end to said continuous positive airway pressure machine and at a second end to said face attachment, wherein said hose is operable to deliver continuous positive air flow pressure from said continuous positive airway pressure machine directly to said face attachment; (b) attaching said face attachment to the face of the patient; (c) activating said continuous positive airway pressure machine to produce a continuous positive airway pressure in the lungs of the patient; and (d) adjusting the continuous positive airway pressure by adjusting said air flow pressure control device to a level at which the patient feels that the pain produced by breathing in and out is reduced or eliminated and thereby preventing interruption of sleep caused by the pain, wherein said adjusting said air flow pressure control device is manually performed by the patient during use of said continuous positive airway pressure machine.