Who
does Buteyko help?
The
Buteyko Institute Method is effective for adults of any
age experiencing the following
(click on each to read more):
If
you have a condition not listed which you suspect may
be influenced by your breathing pattern please contact
a Buteyko practitioner
for consultation.
Children
and the Buteyko Institute method
The
Buteyko Institute method is suitable for children from
3 years of age.
No matter what the past medical history, all children with breathing disorders will benefit from learning Buteyko.
Read more.
Asthma
Asthma is a disorder characterised by breathing difficulty due to symptoms of bronchospasm (tightness), inflammation of the airways and increased mucous production. It can be diagnosed at any age and may range from mild to life threatening.
Diagnosis of asthma is made from medical and symptom histories and, possibly, pulmonary lung function tests: assessing resistance to airflow through the airways, and whether improvement was noted on taking short acting reliever medication (i.e. Ventolin). The most common outcome of a diagnosis of asthma is the prescription of asthma reliever and preventative medications.
The Buteyko breath correction course is an educational program that teaches reduction of acute and chronic hyperventilation (overbreathing) via breathing exercises and lifestyle changes. The principle aim is the normalisation of the breathing pattern. This results in significantly less asthma symptoms, with the majority of those that do occur being overcome by application of the breathing exercises. Outcomes should not be regarded as a ‘cure’ but rather as effective management.
One
of the important outcomes of lessening reliever medication
required is the reversal of tolerance to relievers, which
frequently occurs with regular use. Short acting relievers,
such as Ventolin, regain their effectiveness and, once
again, become valuable emergency medications.
Click
here to read a letter on the New Zealand Medical Journal
website warning of the dangers in overuse of asthma bronchodilator
medications and a role for Buteyko in reducing dependance
on asthma medications. The author, Dr Patrick McHugh,
is Clinical Director, Emergency Department, Gisborne Hospital
and author of two Buteyko studies.
Buteyko breath correction practitioners follow international ‘best practice’ guidelines for asthma medication instructing clients to use reliever medication as needed and preventer medication as prescribed by their doctor.
Ideally
participation in a Buteyko course should be discussed
with your GP and/or respiratory specialist. Doctors, specialists
and allied health professionals are welcome to contact
Buteyko Breath Correction for further information. Whilst
referrals are not essential, where they are provided your
referring doctor will be kept informed of your progress.
I
have found Glenn extremely consultative about my patients,
completely professional in his approach, and especially
co-operative about my recommendations for medication.
At no time has he suggested alteration to inhaler programmes
without full consultation and I have been impressed to
find that his suggestions have invariably been wise treatment
changes. I therefore have complete confidence in referring
my patients to him for Buteyko teaching and enjoy their
renewed enthusiasm for life and control of their asthma.
Graeme F Washer
Mb, ChB, FRACS
