The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only and not intended to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice. Any use of the information on this website is at the reader’s discretion. The author and the publisher specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or application of any information contained on this website. A health care professional and/or doctor and/or Buteyko practitioner should be consulted regarding your specific situation.

1968, medical approbation, Institute of Pulmonology, Leningrad, USSR (bronchial asthma, hypertension and angina pectoris)

50 patients with severe bronchial asthma, hypertension and angina pectoris, all of them with many years of heavy medication, most with steroid deficiencies and organic complications; success rate 95% (Khoroscho, 1982).

Khoroscho A, Interview with Buteyko [in Russian] 1982, in Buteyko method. Its application in medical practice, ed. by K.P. Buteyko, 2nd ed., 1991, Titul, Odessa, p.168-180.

1981, medical approbation, Sechenov’s Med Inst, Moscow, USSR (asthma, with pneumonia, rhinitis, chronic tonsillitis)

52 children (34 in-patients and 18 out-patients; 3-15 years old) with regular asthma attacks (once per day or more); 41 of them had pneumonia, 27 rhinitis, 36 chronic tonsillitis. All had problems with breathing through the nose, palpitations, and were bronchodilator users. In 1-5 days the patients were able to stop the attacks, cough, blocked nose, and wheezing, using the method. Observations in 1-3 months showed considerable improvements (cessation of heavy attacks or a total disappearance of the symptoms) in 83%, some improvement (less heavy attacks and considerable reduction in medication) in remaining 17%. Their average CP increased from 4 to 30 s, aCO2 from 25 to 36 mm Hg. Higher blood concentrations of IgA, IgM, IgG, and IgE were found, according to laboratory reports. Blood pressure normalised, forced expiratory volume raised over 5 times. Significant increases in lung volume, expiratory speed, and other parameters were found. Average breath holding time (CP) increased from about 3-6 s to over 30 s. For more information on this trial, visit http://www.buteyko.com/research/trials/index_trials.html.

USSR MINISTRY OF HEALTH

ORDER

April 30, 1985

N 591

Moscow

ABOUT THE ACTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE METHOD OF CONSCIOUS REGULATION OF THE DEPTH OF BREATHING IN THE TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

In recent years, methods of drug-free therapy have vastly penetrated into bronchial asthma treatment. The efficiency of the modified voluntary breathing depth reduction method (the Certificate of Authorship for Innovation N 1067640 of September 15, 1983 "Haemohypocarbia Therapy Method" granted to K. P. Buteyko) for bronchial asthma therapy in children and adults, as combined with regular medication and physiotherapeutic techniques, has been experimentally confirmed in several science and research institutes.

Therefore, in order to induce the further development of drug-free bronchial asthma therapy methods and initiate use of the voluntary breathing depth adjustment method in medicine, I hereby command:

1. The USSR Ministry of Health 1st Moscow Medical Institute named after I. M. Sechenov (Mr. V. I. Petrov) shall continue research of the voluntary breathing depth reduction method for bronchial asthma therapy in children and adults, execute the Practices for doctors, and deliver the latter in good manner for the USSR Ministry of Health approval by December 1, 1985.

2. The USSR Ministry of Health CSRI of Tuberculosis (Mr. A. G. Khomenko), NSRI of Pulmonology (Mr. N. M. Putov), and the RSFSR MSRI of Tuberculosis (Mr. A. A. Priymak) shall organize research of the voluntary breathing depth reduction method for bronchial asthma therapy in children and adults in 1985, execute the Practices for doctors, and deliver the latter in good manner for the USSR Ministry of Health approval by December 1, 1986.

3. In 1985-1986, the Institute of Breathing Physiology and Pathology (Mr. M. T. Lutsenko), Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (Mr. V. P. Kaznacheyev), and the Institute of Therapy (Mr. Yu. P. Nikitin), all Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Medical Science, shall organize research of the voluntary breathing depth reduction method therapy of patients with various inner organ pathologies, execute the Method Implementation Practices, and deliver the latter in good manner for the USSR Ministry of Health approval by December 1, 1987.

4. In December 1986, the USSR Ministry of Health Academic Medical Council (Mr. O. K. Gavrilov), USSR Ministry of Health Agency for Maternal and Infant Prophylaxis (Ms. I. I. Grebesheva) and the USSR Ministry of Health Agency for Prophylaxis (Mr. A. M. Moskvichev) shall organize a conference on "Drug-free Methods of Bronchial Asthma Therapy".

5. By June 15, 1986, the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Medical Science (Mr. Yu. I. Borodin) shall file an application to the RSFSR Ministry of Health for supplementary appropriations into a research group acting as a research and methodology center for further research of the voluntary breathing depth reduction method therapy for various pathologies.

6. By June 1985, the USSR Ministry of Health 1st Moscow Medical Institute named after I. M. Sechenov (Mr. V. I. Petrov) shall file an application to the USSR Ministry of Health for supplementary appropriations into the Department of Remedial Gymnastics (Prof. V. A. Siluyanova) in order to organize further research of the voluntary breathing depth reduction method.

7. By June 1, 1985, Chairman of the National Research and Technology Program Coordination Committee (Mr. A. G. Khomenko) shall include research of the drug-free bronchial asthma therapy with the help of voluntary breathing depth reduction method in the 12th five-year plan Program.

8. Implementation of this Order shall be controlled by the USSR Ministry of Health Academic Medical Council (Mr. O. K. Gavrilov), USSR Ministry of Health Agency for Maternal and Infant Prophylaxis (Ms. I. I. Grebesheva) and the USSR Ministry of Health Agency for Prophylaxis (Mr. A. M. Moskvichev).

The minister S. Burenkov

Clinical trial conducted at the Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blinded randomised controlled trial.

Simon D Bowler, Amanda Green and Charles A Mitchell

- The study was carried out from January 1995 to April 1995.

- This study uses the gold standard of trials (blinded randomised controlled trial).

- The asthma patients were taught Buteyko the proper way, by actual Buteyko instructors.

- Quite a large group of asthma patients were taught.

Buteyko group:

Respiration after 3 months (l/min): 9,6

Bronchodilators after 3 months: 96% less

Inhaled steroids after 3 months 49% less

Reduction of symptom scores after 3 months: 71%

Control group:

Respiration after 3 months (l/min): 13,3

Bronchodilators after 3 months: 7% less

Inhaled steroids after 3 months: remained the same

Reduction of symptom scores after 3 months: 14%

Additional results from the trial:

1: Asthma patients have lower CO2 values than the normal population

The study showed a big difference between end-tidal CO2 values of asthma patients and people without asthma: the normal group had an average end-tidal CO2 of 43 mmHg whereas the asthma patients had an average end-tidal Co2 of 34 mmHG. That's a big difference in CO2 levels which agrees with Professor Buteyko's claim that asthma is caused by low CO2 values.

2: Asthma patients breathe more than the normal population

Minute breathing volume was higher in asthma patients than in the group of normal people (without asthma). This agrees with Professor Buteyko claim that overbreathing (hyperventilation) causes asthma.

3: Asthma patients who practice Buteyko need less medication as they become better at Buteyko

The finding that the relative reduction in beta2-agonist medication was related to the proportionate reduction in minute volume with Buteyko is extremely meaningful. This really means that the more progress asthma patients make with Buteyko, the less medication they need. This is such an important finding that the title of the study could well have been: "Asthma patients who practice Buteyko Breathing need less medication as they become better at Buteyko"!

4: Buteyko does what it promises: change breathing habits and reduce disease symptoms

The finding that Buteyko lowers the average minute breathing volume from 14 liter/min to 9.6 liters/min proves that Buteyko Breathing really does significantly change breathing habits. The finding that asthma symptoms went down by 71% proves that Buteyko does improve health and reduces chronic disease symptoms. So these two finding combined together in effect prove that Buteyko Breathing does do what it promises.

5: Buteyko reverts hyperventilation

The finding that Buteyko lowers the average minute breathing volume from 14 liter/min to 9.6 liters/min is also a highly significant finding for people suffering from hyperventilation. Those suffering from hyperventilation can learn and practice Buteyko Breathing to reverse and improve their hyperventilation symptoms.

References:

Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blinded randomised controlled trial. (1998) Published: Medical Journal of Australia, 1998 Dec 7-21;169(11-12):575-8. By: Bowler SD, Green A, Mitchell CA.

Self-Management of Asthma Through Normalisation of Breathing - The Role of Breathing Therapy by Tess Graham, Physiotherapist, Practitioner of the Buteyko Method

Article Review "Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blinded randomised controlled trial" by drs. Eduard Reuvers, 2017.

Letter About Asthma by K.P. Buteyko MD-PhD:

Two hundred years ago asthma was considered a mild ailment. Having asthma generally meant having a long life free of other diseases. However, no one could explain how asthma prevented other ailments or why asthmatics lived longer than others. Today, we know that asthma is not an ordinary disease.

Bronchospasm, the main component of asthma, acts as a protective mechanism, helping to maintain biological constants and important functions at near-normal levels.

We have also learned that asthma or bronchospasm cannot exist unless the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) level in the lungs is abnormally low. Since the metabolic and immune systems can function correctly only if the CO2 level is normal, the limit of the asthmatic's CO2 level protects him or her and allows for a long and healthy life. It is this powerful defense mechanism that provides the asthmatic with an improved biological system. Evidently, bronchospasm is one way the organism has adapted to its environment.

Modern drug treatment for asthma is aimed at neutralizing this protective mechanism. The organism then fights back again and again with more intensive bronchospasms leading to a rapid deterioration of asthma from drug treatment. It is not possible to cure asthma by removing a protective mechanism like bronchospasm. Only when the condition responsible for the bronchospasm is removed, can asthma be reversed.

Quote from the book Normal Breathing: the Key to Vital Health by Dr. Artour Rakhimov, Alternative Health Educator and Author:

Q: There are many medical studies indicating that acute hyperventilation produces asthma attacks in asthmatics. However, several studies found that acute hyperventilation with CO2 enriched air also results in asthma attacks. Therefore, as some doctors claimed, low aCO2 could not be considered as a single cause of asthma. Is this opinion correct?

A: Before being tested with CO2 enriched air in laboratories, typical asthmatics had many hundreds of times the following course of events. On the background of chronic hyperventilation (all known studies reported the presence of hyperventilation for initial stages of asthma), asthmatics experienced the influence of some other triggering factors (like exercise, overeating, oversleeping, allergies, etc.), which resulted in additional hyperventilation and further bronchoconstriction or in further inflammation of airways with the same results: feelings of air shortage (due to airway obstruction), chest tightness, laboured breathing, etc. all signs of an asthma attack. (Sometimes, this airway obstruction could be due to, for example, excessive mucus production or inflammation. That could result in anxiety and panic causing acute hyperventilation.)

In all cases, these asthmatics breathed normal air with about 0.04% CO2 concentration. Thus, before the attacks, the following physiological changes were repeated many hundred times: abnormally hard work of the respiratory muscles, increased air flow through the respiratory tract, increased amplitude of pressure variations in internal organs, etc. All these changes, before the attacks, were sensed many hundred times by the millions of nerve cells of the nerve system. Finally, further lowered aCO2 and some other factors produced additional bronchoconstriction and the attacks.

Now, exactly the same asthmatics arrive in the laboratories, where they perform the same acute hyperventilation, which is accompanied by all these described additional features (again sensed by the millions of nervous cells) with one difference, the inspired air is CO2-rich. Such air has never been experienced by these asthmatics before, but the whole nervous system learned that such a situation causes bronchoconstriction. What would be the result now?

The result due to the changed stimulus would be defined by how much of the previous stimulus is left. Low carbon dioxide already created many chronic abnormal changes. Finally, some other triggers which cause the attacks can also be at work when the person deliberately hyperventilates, even with a temporary increase in carbon dioxide stores. It was not a sudden drop or increase in carbon dioxide stores that causes or prevents asthma attacks, but those chronic changes which affect every cell of the respiratory tract in asthmatics. Therefore, since less than 1% stimulus is absent (low CO2), while the remaining 99% is left, the reaction would be exactly the same, as for the whole stimulus.

But assuming that the human nervous system is incapable of learning from the previous experiences repeated hundreds of times and that all these events sensed and recorded by the nervous system did not produce habituation and conditioning, one can assert that low carbon dioxide is not the cause of asthma.

Therefore, even in conditions of artificially increased aCO2, the influence of so many areas of the nervous system should be more powerful, than that of the breathing center. Meanwhile, if such tests with CO2-rich air were repeated many times, the effect of gradual relearning can be observed and acute hyperventilation with CO2-rich air would not cause bronchoconstriction and the attacks.

Moreover, physiological studies found the confirmations of this psychological effect based on the physiology of the nerve cells. It is known that, for example, some breathing maneuvers (chapter 2), e.g., Valsalva and Miller maneuvers, or breathing air with the same composition at the end of the breath hold, as in the lungs, extends breath holding time (BHT). Why? All previous life, movements of respiratory muscles resulted in the new oxygenated air coming into the lungs. Normally, the nervous system learned millions of times, that such respiratory movements are signs of new (fresh) air flow. When, all of the sudden, the conditions are different, only the breathing center creates the stimulus to breathe, while the rest of the nervous system is “happy” and does not contribute to the urge to breathe.

It is now a clear fact, which has been confirmed by all published studies, that development and first stages of asthma are always accompanied by hyperventilation. The situation with medical respiratory professionals and asthma was accurately reflected by Peter Kolb,

“… asthma is a disorder which is investigated by thousands of respiratory specialists with millions of dollars worth of equipment to measure breathing. Yet after more than half a century of work by all these people measuring patients’ breathing, they haven’t picked up that asthmatics are just breathing too much” (Kolb, private communication, 2001).

About The Buteyko Method

A Summary of the Pathophysiology of Chronic Hyperventilation by Ira Packman, M.D.

The fact that chronic hyperventilation (CHV) has an effect on the lungs is easily understood and explained. The systemic (whole body) effects however, are physically and physiologically distant from the lungs and therefore are more difficult to understand. The multi-system, wide spread systemic ramifications of chronic hyperventilation are numerous.

These effects are all caused by the initial effect of pulmonary hypocapnia (low CO2) which causes spasm of the airways leading to asthma. The loss of CO2 from the lung on a long term basis causes a compensatory response throughout the body. This concept is called homeostasis which means that the body is always trying to stay in balance and return to its most comfortable state.

A partial list of homeostatic controls would include:

• Constant body temperature

• Constant whole body water volume

• Glucose levels

• Mineral balance including sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc etc.

• Acid base balance (Ph control)

The acid base/Ph control mechanisms are very sensitive and closely controlled, because the Ph of the body affects the function of every body system. It is this system that is activated when patients chronically hyperventilate.

Understanding this concept, we can follow what happens with CHV.

• The lungs continuously blow off too much CO2 causing local pulmonary hypocapnia (low CO2) and arterial hypocapnia.

• The arterial hypocapnia immediately changes the Ph of the circulating blood causing an increase in the Ph (alkalosis).

• The increase in the Ph causes a decrease in the delivery of Oxygen to all the bodies tissues due to the Bohr Effect (In an alkalotic environment, the hemoglobin molecules in the red cells hold onto the oxygen molecules more tightly and will not release the O2 to the tissues).

• The kidneys see the alkalosis/Ph change and know that it must correct the bodies Ph back towards neutral (neutral Ph is a Ph of 7.40). Once CHV becomes long standing the kidneys response becomes an ongoing process in which the kidneys excrete bicarbonate in an attempt to correct the alkalosis which was created by the CHV.

• The net result is a depletion of the bicarbonate buffers due to continuous over excretion of bicarbonate which also causes the loss of electrolytes including magnesium and phosphorous which are lost with the bicarbonate.

• The loss of phosphorous also decreases the production of ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) and ADP which are the bodies’ main source of energy.

• This then causes a decrease in the functioning of many organs including the muscles, heart, lungs, bone marrow, immune system and liver.

• These functional changes, coupled with the arterial spasm that occurs directly due to the low CO2 levels in the blood, are expressed in the long term as muscle fatigue, hypertension due to arterial spasm, decrease in the oxygenation of the brain, migraine headaches due to arterial spasm, spasm of the arteries supplying the gut, decrease brain function with memory changes, alterations in the production of proteins and metabolism of lipids in the liver causing elevated cholesterol.

This is just a partial list of the systems, organs and bodily functions which are affected by CHV and the subsequent low CO2 levels in the lungs and blood.

This concept regarding the origins and causes of these diseases is very radically different from the way medical schools teach about these diseases. It is revolutionary and may be too simple for many academicians to accept or understand.

Getting Started

by Peter Kolb

While the Buteyko method introduced into the west has been getting excellent results, it does not entirely accord with Professor Buteyko’s recommended practice. During two weeks he spent in New Zealand in December 2000, he demonstrated the Buteyko technique as it should be practiced.

Aim

Firstly, it needs to be understood that breathing too much is a bad habit that leaves you with a debilitating shortage of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. It usually results from long term, undischarged stress. Any stress makes you breathe more. If this is sustained over a long time period it becomes a habit. The physiology behind this habituation process is well understood. Buteyko therapy aims at reversing this, by habituating to less breathing. You do this by developing and sustaining a feeling of a slight shortage of air over a long time period. This gradually restores your carbon dioxide and bicarbonate levels back to normal.

Maximum Pause

While it is possible to stifle an asthma attack with a long and uncomfortable breath hold know as a maximum pause (MP), this procedure does not reverse your asthma and does not retrain the respiratory center to pace your breathing correctly. Professor Buteyko is emphatic that the maximum pause has no therapeutic value in restoring healthy breathing, which is the aim of his therapy. It is also dangerous for people with various disorders such as hypertension, heart disease, epilepsy, kidney disease and diabetes. It can also destabilize your breathing, making it worse. Unfortunately the maximum pause has been introduced into a westernized version of the Buteyko technique, much to the annoyance of the Professor.

An understanding of the physiology behind the Bueyko method leaves no doubt that the maximum pause cannot improve your breathing.

DIY/Self-help

Professor Buteyko is firmly opposed to the DIY/self-help approach. The Buteyko technique relies 100% on patient compliance for effectiveness. Learning it from a script is like learning Yoga or martial arts from a book. Most people will experience changes in their bodies as their CO2 levels rise. These changes vary from one individual to another. Buteyko practitioners help you deal with these changes, keep you motivated and ensure that you do the breathing exercises correctly. Support for your Buteyko practitioner enables him to continue his work of bringing the technique to other sufferers.

Nevertheless, very few people around the world have access to a Buteyko practitioner. So here are some basics to help get you started.

Medication

Do not make any changes to medication. Steroids must be taken as prescribed. Because of carbon dioxide shortage asthmatics often don’t make enough Cortisol (natural steroid) and must have supplements. Steroids are not just anti-inflammatories but they are needed by the body and without the right amount it can be almost impossible to get breathing back to normal. Your doctor will be able to review your need for steroids when you stop having asthma symptoms.

Bronchodilators must be taken only when needed. As you progress, discuss with your doctor the possibility of weaning yourself off long acting bronchodilators and replacing them with short acting ones. That will give you more control over using them when needed. You should find that within days you will be able to overcome asthma attacks with reduced breathing and won’t need the bronchodilators. Nevertheless, you must always carry them with you for emergencies.

Nose breathing

Always breathe through your nose. If your nose is blocked perform the following exercise: After breathing normally (do not make any exaggerated breathing manoeuvre), hold your breath for as long as is comfortable, and then gradually resume very gentle breathing. It may help to pinch your nose, nod your head a few times or do some other form of exercise. In stubborn cases or when the blockage is due to a cold, you may have to try a few more times.

To avoid breathing through your mouth in your sleep, you might like to experiment with a little light medical paper tape to keep your mouth closed. Mouth taping at night is not recommended by Professor Buteyko, but most people find it extremely valuable. If you do, protect your lips with suitable cream, use a low tack tape (some are quite aggressive), and make sure you fold a tab or handle at each end for rapid and easy removal. Do not go to sleep with tape on your mouth if this causes any form of anxiety.

Comfort

Make sure you’re comfortable before starting the exercises. Remove unnecessary clothing since the improved blood carbon dioxide will dilate blood vessels in the skin, thereby warming you up.

Posture

To get your posture right stand with your back to a wall, heels, shoulders head and bottom touching the wall. Now drop your shoulders. Keep this upper body posture when sitting.

Relaxation

While maintaining your posture, relax all the muscles in your chest, neck, shoulders, arms, tummy and particularly the diaphragm. It’s a good idea to tense them up a bit first before relaxing them so that you can properly identify them and make sure they are all relaxed.

Normal Breathing

Take off your shirt and stand in front of a full length mirror. Watch your chest and tummy for breathing movement. Make sure that your chest does not move at all, and only the upper part of the tummy moves, between navel and breast bone. The second thing to check for is that the tummy moves out with each in breath and not the other way around. Many people get this wrong. Your out-breath must be free, relaxed and unforced.

Reduced breathing (RB)

Your aim is to develop a feeling of slight hunger for air, sustain this over a period and do this frequently. In fact, this should become a habit so that you do it all the time until you have achieved your health goal.

Try to feel your breathing and become aware of your breathing pattern. Now try to maintain this pattern while taking in just a little less air on each breath so that you develop a slight hunger for air. Initially try to sustain this for two minutes, then five and then ten.

If you follow all the steps correctly, then you should feel really calm, good and even a little sleepy. If you already practice relaxation techniques, yoga etc, you can combine them with reduced breathing.

Measuring your breathing

Hyperventilators breathe more than normal in order to achieve lower than normal blood carbon dioxide levels. It follows that if you have to breathe more than normal, then you will also not be able to hold your breath as long as you should. Professor Buteyko has cunningly used this principle to measure your blood carbon dioxide by testing how long you can hold your breath.

You start the pause somewhere in your normal breathing cycle. This is how you start the pause: Look up with your eyes and at the same time pinch your nose and start a stop watch. Just before it starts to get uncomfortable, stop the stop watch and resume normal breathing. You should be able to resume normal breathing without any effort and without taking deeper or more frequent breaths.

Some precautions:

• Do not take a deeper breath before the pause.

• Do not make any attempt to empty the lungs before the pause.

• Do not worry about which phase of the respiratory cycle you happen to be in before starting the pause. A pause is just an interruption of normal breathing.

The time in seconds is called a Control Pause (CP). Asthmatics typically have a CP of 5 - 15 seconds. (But not everyone with such a low CP has asthma.) Your aim is to achieve a CP greater than 40 seconds, although for perfect health Professor Buteyko recommends a CP of at least 60 seconds.

Doing a Set

When at rest, correctly seated, comfortable and relaxed and after breathing normally for at least five minutes you are ready to do a set. A set consists of

Pulse - CP - Reduced breathing - 3min normal breathing - Pulse - CP

First measure your pulse and then do a CP. Record the results on a table. Then do reduced breathing for ten minutes. Breathe normally for three minutes, then take your pulse again and take another CP. If you’ve done your reduced breathing correctly your pulse should go down and your CP should go up. Sometimes the pulse remains the same. If it goes up you’re not doing it correctly.

After three days you should be able to do around 8 to 10 sets a day. You can then start integrating reduced breathing into your daily life. Ideally you should aim at doing reduced breathing all day.

That takes care of the exercises. Here are a few helpful hints to help your recovery.

• Don’t eat unless you are hungry. Only eat until you have had enough. Eating increases breathing; eating excessively increases breathing excessively.

• Don’t dress too warmly. Be careful not to overdress children. If you are worried about them being cold, check their ears, nose, hands and feet. If these are warm, they’re OK.

• Make sure you get plenty of vigorous exercise. But don’t exercise to the point where you have to open your mouth to breathe.

If any of these recommendations make you dizzy, sick, anxious or give you palpitations, stop immediately. If possible see a Buteyko practitioner.

http://www.buteykomoscow.ru

https://www.breathingcenter.com

https://www.buteyko-methode.eu

https://www.normalbreathing.com

Acute asthma exacerbation can be stopped with this simple breathing exercise developed by leading Soviet physiologist Dr KP Buteyko and over 200 Soviet and Russian doctors who have been teaching the Buteyko method. This breathing exercise helps even in cases of sports induced asthma, in most cases, to stop asthma attacks in 2-3 minutes without using inhalers or other medications (bronchodilators).

With the first symptoms of asthma (wheezing, chest tightness, dyspnea, labored breathing) sit down in any comfortable chair, couch, sofa or divan. If there are no objects to sit on, sit on the ground or floor, on your knees or with crossed legs. Relax all your body muscles.

Next, hold your breath for about 3-4 seconds. You will get slight air hunger or desire to breathe more. After this, instead of taking your usual big or deep inhalation, take a slightly smaller inhalation (only about 10-20% less than your usual inhalation). Then immediately relax all muscles, especially upper chest and all other breathing muscles. Take another (smaller or reduced) inhalation and again completely relax.

With each breath, take a small or reduced inhalation and then completely relax. Maintain air hunger. The goal is to preserve this comfortable level of air hunger for 2-3 minutes. The breathing can be frequent during this reduced breathing but this is OK.

If you do the exercise correctly, you will notice that your chest tightness, wheezing, dyspnea, and other symptoms will subside or disappear.

If you cannot alleviate your acute asthma exacerbation in 5 minutes, use about 1/3 of your standard medication (e.g., inhaler). After taking meds, repeat this breathing exersice monitoring the severity of your symptoms. If it is still not possible to stop the acute asthma exacerbation, again take 1/3 of your usual inhaler dose. Do the breathing exercise once more. If it is still not possible to stop the acute asthma exacerbation after all this, seek medical attention.

Biochemical analysis of Buteyko's Method by Karzimov.

For those with a highly technical interest, this biochemical analysis of Buteyko's Method by Karzimov is both an extraordinary piece of technical work as well as being a highly detailed explanation of mechanisms around how and why the method works. To access, please press the link below.

https://f52aaf98-af2c-4da9-98d1-3635fdc552f3.filesusr.com/ugd/37b13a_92e6561893754a4f98c6ce30f3d272f8.pdf

In december 2005 it became possible at last to create anew from scattered elements a scientific substantiation of Buteyko therapy in the form of the theory about human health, from which follow all key moments of the therapy. We hope that this will put an end to numerous speculations based on:

- Alleged "affinity" of some persons to K.P.Buteyko.

- Statements of the type "I heard that K.P.Buteyko has said : ".

- Possession of certain "exclusive" rights, "patents", etc.

- Other subjective nonprofessional instants.

We hope that such approach:

- Will allow exposing the authors of the numerous unscientific respiratory techniques who have stolen the name of Doctor Buteyko.

- Will allow passing to professional scientific discussion of Buteyko therapy and correction of the distortions and errors brought into it.

- Will draw to this therapy new experts aspiring to professionalism, objectivity and quality.

See the book

V.K. Buteyko, M.M. Buteyko The Buteyko theory about a key role of breathing for human health: scientific introduction to the Buteyko therapy for experts. Voronezh : Buteyko Co Ltd, 2005. 100p. - Rus. / Eng.

To access, please press the link below.

https://www.buteyko.ru/izdan/Buteyko%20theory%20rus-eng.pdf