BUTEYKO
WHAT
IS IT?
Buteyko
is a system of
exercises that relieves asthma without using drugs.
Dr K. Buteyko, a Russian physician, found that one of the
main causes of asthma - and many other health problems - is
overbreathing (also called hyperventilation).
Asthma
sufferers are taught how to change their breathing patterns with
simple exercises. The
aim is to relax your chest and airways and slowly learn to breathe
less. This reduces
wheezing, tightness in the chest, breathlessness and other asthma
symptoms.
This
eventually leads to less reliance on asthma medication (always in
conjunction with your doctor) and a great improvement in your
quality of life.
WHAT
CAN IT HELP?
As
well as treating asthma, Buteyko can improve athletic performance,
reduce stress levels, and improve general health and well-being.
Hyperventilation causes the chemistry in the body to go
wrong, making the nerves over-sensitive and causing narrow airways
in the lungs, muscle tension, pins and needles around the mouth or
in both hands or feet, and sometimes causing you to feel depressed
or like you are in a dream.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS:
Do
I need a lot of treatments ?
No,
in fact Buteyko doesn’t involve treatment as such.
The therapist will train you to use the exercises.
Most people need four or five sessions; they can then treat
themselves.
Can
I stop using my asthma pumps ?
We
don’t advise that you stop taking prescribed drugs without
checking with your doctor first.
Most people find they are less reliant on medication with
Buteyko because their breathing is more relaxed.
Your
therapist is .....
(not
available at present)