Self-Management of Asthma Through Normalisation of Breathing

The Buteyko Breathing Method is a self-management therapy for asthma. The author is a member of the research team for the clinical trial at Brisbane's Mater Hospital, a physiotherapist and accredited Buteyko Practitioner. The clinical trial compared the efficacy of the Buteyko Breathing Method with conventional treatment of asthma. The control group, was on a regime of medical management, physiotherapy exercises, and asthma education, recorded no improvement. The Buteyko Method group significantly reduced bronchodilators (90%), asthma symptoms, and steroid medication, with significant improvements in their quality of life. The initial clinical testing demonstrated resting hyperventilation and hypocapnia in all 39 participants. The Buteyko techniques teach asthma sufferers to reduce their breathing to normal levels. Statistical analysis after 3 months showed a significant difference between the groups' ventilation and a correlation between reduction in minute volumes and bronchodilator usage for the Buteyko group. The paper explains the study findings and recommends that everyone involved with the management of asthma respond to its unequivocal results. In particular, there is a need to review traditional management practices which may encourage asthma sufferers to increase their breathing volume. This is inappropriate if their asthma arose from or is exacerbated by over breathing. The Buteyko Method stems from an orthodox approach to respiration. It recognises hyperventilation and hypocapnia as causes of physiological distress and treats it appropriately and effectively by normalising breathing.