Medpedia

This is an intriguing article from the New York Times about a breathing technique called the Buteyko method, which, according to the article, can work wonders for severe asthma. It's unclear whether this is a clinically proven technique, but the article does mention clinical trials that have been conducted about the Buteyko method. I would be interested in opinions from the Asthma Community. Is this a widely known technique? Please read the article here.

Though generally speaking, using good breathing techniques for anyone is a good thing. Learning how to breath correctly helps to reduce stress and develop endurance from ages 9 to 90. After review of the "Buteyko Method", I personally believe it to be more hype than substance. Yes, it does teach good breathing techniques that would benefit many people. For example, while reviewing the "Buteyko, Escape From Asthma" pamphlet, the cause of asthma is "breathing too much".

The assertion that one can cut substantially the need for medication and or medical intervention is simple not true. The pamphlet mentioned above is over simplistic and may cause one to believe that they have no need for medical intervention. One of the things that I find most disturbing is the "proof" that this is a valid alternative treatment for asthma. Buteyko lists "news / clinical trials" on www.buteyko-usa.com/PractitionersNewsInfo/News.asp. Half of the sources were unverifiable, but mostly just anecdotal stories about how this technique might help people with chronic hyperventilation syndrome / breathing too fast.

I cannot find a single long-term study concerning the "Buteyko Method". The following link will take you to the .pdf file from the Buteyko website where Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome is blamed for causing a myriad of diseases and disease processes.

www.buteyko-usa.com/pdf/EscapeFromAsthma.pdf

As I stated earlier, good breathing techniques benefit everyone young, old, athletic and not so athletic. But there is not enough scientific information out there on this technique to be a cornucopia of cures for asthma or anything else. Bottom line, would I subscribe to this method of treatment for asthma? Many of the techniques used in treating asthma or COPD involve teaching correct or good breathing techniques. The problem lies with (1) the hype and (2), the apparent failure to address patient compliance.

The Buteyko method may be of some beneficial help to, with the exception of being asthmatic, the otherwise healthy individual. I believe in Evidence Based medicine, show me the the long-term studies...etc, show me the evidence. For right now, it's not there. It takes more than anecdotal stories to sway me.

Dear Angela,

Please see my posts about the Buteyko Breathing Method under question

Is the Buteyko method a reliable treatment for asthma?