What is the Buteyko Breathing Method?
The Buteyko Breathing Method is a breathing therapy developed by Dr. Konstantin P. Buteyko in Russia, starting in the 1950s, until his death in 2003. Development by a number of practitioners in both Russia and the West has continued. The Buteyko Method uses nasal breathing, breath control and breath-holding exercises to treat a wide range of health conditions.
There have been many clinical trials [1] showing that the Buteyko method helps asthmatics reduce their medication needs, while improving asthma symptoms and quality of life.
There are also a number of small studies indicating that it can effectively treat sleep apnea, and lots of anecdotal reports of people whose sleep completely normalized after several months of regular breathing practice.
People have also used the Buteyko Method to improve breathing and circulation, stress and anxiety, general health and athletic performance.
The Buteyko method can be a used along with other types of treatment including asthma medication, dental splints, orofacial myology, manual therapy and CPAP.
Advantages of Nasal Breathing
Nose breathing has many advantages over mouth breathing. Here are some of them:
- Filters air: The nose acts as a natural air filter, trapping particles and pollutants before they enter the lungs.
- Warms and humidifies air: The nasal passages warm and humidify the air, making it easier to breathe and reducing the risk of respiratory infections.
- Increases oxygen uptake: Nose breathing allows for more efficient uptake of oxygen by the lungs, leading to improved athletic performance and endurance.
- Reduces snoring and sleep apnea: Breathing through the nose can help reduce or eliminate snoring and sleep apnea, leading to better quality sleep.
- Improves oral health: Mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth and decreased saliva production, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Overall, nose breathing is a healthier and more efficient way of breathing than mouth breathing.
How can this help me?
If you have, or are developing any chronic health issues you've probably tried quite a few things already, both medical and complementary. Presumably, if you're reading this, they may not have worked too well for you. I'm sure you have some doubts about this program also. You have some questions:
- Does it make sense?
- Does it look like it might help your particular issues?
- Will it be too rigorous and demanding?
- Will you be able to stick to it?
This Buteyko Breathing Course will provide the answers those questions. Sign up. Give the method a try for a couple of weeks, and see if it helps you. There is a 15-day money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.
You need to establish new long-term habits to reverse long established patterns of behavior. As a rule-of-thumb, for each year that you have suffered from a chronic breathing-related issue, it will take a month of vigilant practice to establish more healthy habits, which is why we stress the follow-up and support options available to you.
Buteyko is not a quick fix for long-term problems. It takes quite a lot of work and effort, but if you stick with it, you will find it well worthwhile.
Notes and References
[1] Buteyko Clinical Trials 1998-2017.Buteyko Clinic International