How does it work

Detailed explanation

In 1952, Russian respiratory Professor Konstantin Buteyko discovered that the volume of our breathing has notable affects to our health.

He listed approximately 130 diseases that are caused by over breathing, or hyperventilation.

Over breathing means breathing more air than the body needs. Studies show that people with asthma, for example, breathe 2-3 more than normal when they don't have symptoms (Bowler et al, MJA Dec 98). Breathing 20 times per minute instead of 10-12 (normal, 4-6 litters of air) is unlikely to be noticed ("hidden hyperventilation"), but over a week it could be 40,000 extra liters of air

Over breathing causes too much carbon dioxide to be exhaled from the lungs. It violates the delicate balance of oxygen/carbon dioxide and affects the pH level of the blood.

Lower level of carbon dioxide also causes smooth muscles that are wrapped around all the tubes in the body (airways, blood vessels) to constrict, excessive histamine is produced, and extra mucus is produced (sounds like asthma?)

Over time, the respiratory center adjusts to accept these lower levels of carbon dioxide as normal.

Since carbon dioxide is so critical in regulating body functions, it is logical to assume that the body must have some way to prevent loosing it, just as it has a way to prevent building too much of it (you faint). This defense mechanism is the narrowing of tubes in the body (airways or blood vessels). This is why asthmatics have difficulties with EXhalation.

Dr. Buteyko perceived asthma and other conditions as defense mechanisms of the body instead of diseases. Symptoms are perceived as the body's efforts to correct itself.

The rational behind the Buteyko exercises is to reset the breathing center, normalize the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide, stop the hyperventilation, the root cause, and by that eliminate the symptoms.

When healthy breathing returns, the symptoms of your condition are alleviated and begin to disappear as the body does not need to correct itself anymore. As they disappear, you no longer need as much medication or use of a C-PAP machine. As you feel better, you develop a stronger immune system and can become more active.

This makes you more fit and better able to cope with your condition, so that eventually it is possible to be symptom free and have no need of medications!

Breathing is the most important thing we do. It affects all seven systems in our bodies very profoundly. If we have healthy breathing patterns, the whole body responds.

More detail can be found at http://www.buteyko.co.nz/buteyko/work/default.cfm