THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND THE METHOD
Over 30 years ago, a Russian scientist,
Professor Buteyko, developed a practical method that got consistent
results in treating asthma, sinusitis, snoring and emphysema (among many
other illnesses). Widely used in Russia for the past 20 years, western
doctors have also begun to hold Clinical Trials. A hospital in Australia
held such a Clinical Trial for asthma patients – the 30 patients
achieved an average of over 90% reduction in reliever medication within a
6 week period. The control group reduced theirs only 5%!
It has long been recognised medically
that hyperventilation (over breathing) causes airways and arteries to
narrow. Professor Buteyko was among the first to recognise that BREATHING
LESS WOULD CAUSE THEM TO OPEN AGAIN!
Simple logic, like eating too much
without exercise causes weight gain, so to lose weight, eat less and
A working definition of Hyperventilation:
Habitual hyperventilation (sometimes
known as hyperventilation syndrome) occurs as the result of breathing a
larger than volume of air than the body can use, washing out too much
carbon dioxide (CO2) over an extended period. This may be only 10% too
much, or 300% too much. The more a person overbreathes, the more pressure
is put on the body. After a time, any extra stimulation (whether physical
or mental) can result in the overload we know as illness.
As healthy person breaths out, the
CO2 level in the blood stream will build up to about 6.4%, and a
chemo-receptor in the brain will trigger the next breath in. This is
self-regulating, to be maintained whatever the level of activity. Over
time, if the habit of overbreathing develops, the chemoreceptor learns to
register an unhealthily low level of CO2 as normal.
However, when carbon dioxide levels in
the bloodstream are reduced below 5%, the body begins to respond in one or
more of the following ways:
It is unable to release oxygen from the
red blood cells as efficiently, so the mind and body react more slowly,
and memory and energy levels are affected.
Airways may begin to close down in
sinuses and lungs, in the body’s instinctive attempt to prevent the loss
of more CO2, with an increase in mucous production – this could result
in sinusitis, asthma, snoring, bronchitis, and long term, emphysema.
Alkali levels increase, which has a
negative impact on the immune system. Underactive and there is a tendency
to catch colds, flu, etc., in extreme cases the body cannot combat
cancer. Overactive, and you have auto immune diseases such as ME, lupus,
MS, allergies, diabetes etc.
Arteries begin closing down, and veins
swell, preventing proper blood flow, increasing pulse and blood pressure
Weight changes (up or down) as the
Increased anxiety levels and adrenaline
What You Can Expect
The core of the Buteyko Method is to
raise awareness of the way the client is breathing, and to use specific,
gentle exercises to retrain the client to breathe appropriately for the
level of activity they are doing. They will be trained to always breathe
through the nose, and for many people, this in itself feels miraculous
after years of mouth breathing. Over time, the exercises permanently
retrain the chemo-receptor responsible for breathing rates, and many
clients will eventually only need to monitor their breathing every so
often. Exercises can be resumed in any stressful period to prevent a
return of symptoms.
Clients are taught a method of self
assessment and record keeping, given an action plan, and ideally, will
also be taught relaxation techniques to reduce stress and breathing rates
at the same time.
After an assessment consultation, these
simple exercises are generally taught over 5 sessions during one week, or
if that is inconvenient, over a weekend. People with mild symptoms may
expect noticeable relief after the first session. Even people with severe
symptoms will feel an increase in energy and a decrease in symptoms over
the initial 5 sessions. The more presenting symptoms, the more time it
will take to stabilise the breathing, but improvements will be rapidly
felt. After that, the Practitioner may recommend a follow up programme,
depending on the severity of the condition.
Clients are encouraged to keep in
contact with their doctor, and only to decrease prescribed medication with
Individual sessions are around £40 - £60 and
last about an hour and a half. The basic Buteyko course for people
with mild to moderate symptoms is generally 5 sessions. More complex
or severe issues may require up to 10 sessions.