Buteyko method
The Buteyko method or Buteyko Breathing Technique is a form of
Buteyko asserts that numerous medical conditions, including asthma, are caused or exacerbated by chronically increased respiratory rate or hyperventilation. The method aims to correct hyperventilation and encourage shallower, slower breathing. Treatments include a series of reduced-breathing exercises that focus on nasal-breathing, breath-holding and relaxation.
Advocates of the Buteyko method claim that it can alleviate symptoms and reliance on medication for patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic hyperventilation. The medical community questions these claims, given limited and inadequate evidence supporting the theory and efficacy of the method.[1][2]
History
The Buteyko method was originally developed in the 1950s by
Buteyko was a Ukrainian psychologist, who moved to Russia in his 20s. He was born in Ukraine, and studied at Kyiv Politechnics.[4]
The first official study into the effectiveness of the Buteyko Method on asthma was undertaken in 1968 at the Leningrad Institute of Pulmonology. The second, held at the First Moscow Institute of Pediatric Diseases in April 1980, eventually led to the head of the ministry of health to issue an order (No 591) for the implementation of the Buteyko method in the treatment of bronchial asthma.[5] Later, this method was introduced to Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States, where it has received increasing exposure.[3] Anecdotal reports of life-changing improvements attributed to the Buteyko method abound on the Internet and in books.[6]
The Buteyko method is one of a number of breathing retraining methods in use for treating lung diseases, including conventional techniques such as
In 2019, the popular Indonesian singer
Method
The Buteyko method emphasizes the role of carbon dioxide and hyperventilation in respiratory diseases as well as overall health. It is known that hyperventilation can lead to low
The Buteyko method is not widely supported in the medical community, in part due to the lack of research supporting the theory that hyperventilation and hypocapnia causes disease,[6] with one review noting the absence of convincing evidence to indicate that trying to change asthmatics' carbon dioxide level is either "desirable or achievable."[9] Some studies that looked to corroborate the theory sought evidence such as by measuring the carbon dioxide levels in practitioners of Buteyko but failed to find conclusive support, leading some to propose alternate theoretical pathways for this method to improve symptoms.[6]
Although variations exist among teachers of the technique in different countries, the main objective is "normalization" of breathing and the three core principles of Buteyko remain the same: nasal breathing, reduced breathing, and relaxation.
Nasal breathing
The Buteyko method emphasizes the importance of nasal breathing, which protects the airways by humidifying, warming, and cleaning the air entering the lungs. Many asthmatics have problems sleeping at night, and this is thought by Buteyko practitioners to be linked with poor posture and/or mouth breathing. By keeping the nose clear and encouraging nasal breathing during the day, night-time symptoms can also improve. Strictly nasal breathing during physical exercise is another key element of the Buteyko method.[1]
Reduced breathing exercises
The core Buteyko exercises involve breath control: consciously reducing either breathing rate or breathing volume.[10] Many teachers refer to Buteyko as 'breathing retraining' and compare the method to learning to ride a bicycle. They say that after adequate practice time, the techniques become instinctive and the exercises are gradually phased out as the condition improves.
Buteyko uses a measurement called the Control Pause (CP), the amount of time between breaths that an individual can comfortably hold breath.[6] According to Buteyko teachers, people with asthma who regularly practice Buteyko breathing will notice an increase in CP and decrease in pulse rate that corresponds to decreased asthma symptoms.
Relaxation
Buteyko practice emphasizes relaxation to counter asthma attacks. The first feeling of an asthma attack is unsettling and can result in a short period of rapid breathing. Buteyko method claims that by controlling this initial over-breathing phase, asthmatics can prevent a "vicious circle of over-breathing" from developing and spiraling into an asthma attack.
Medical evidence
Advocates of the Buteyko method claim that it can treat a wide range of other diseases and symptoms (numbering up to 150), including diabetes. However, studies into the effectiveness of Buteyko have focused almost exclusively on asthma with a small amount of research on sleep apnea.[6] Members of the medical community have been skeptical of the efficacy of Buteyko due to the often "exaggerated and unsubstantiated claims" earlier made by Buteyko practitioners.[7]
There are few high quality studies such as
In 2015 the
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Baggoley C (2015). "Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Natural Therapies for Private Health Insurance" (PDF). Australian Government – Department of Health. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
- ^ PMID 25323740.
- ^ PMID 15907677.
- ^ "History of the Buteyko Method - Dr. Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko".
- ISBN 978-5-7030-0456-2.
- ^ a b c d e f g Courtney, Rosalba (Summer 2008). "Strengths, Weaknesses, and Possibilities of the Buteyko Breathing Method". Biofeedback. 36 (2): 59–63.
- ^ S2CID 5415920.
- ^ "Buteyko: Why Indonesia singer Andien sleeps with tape on her mouth". BBC News. 12 July 2019.
- ^ PMID 15888863.
- .
- ^ PMID 32212422.
- ^ PMID 10853868.
- S2CID 25254146.