There is good news for chronic asthma patients, who have been suffering for years now. You can have access to the breathing technique that was devised by late Prof. Buteyko in curing asthma. All you need to do is visit the site Buteykodvd. I used it for my own asthma as there is a few free videos to watch. The method is simple to learn and I have found the DVD to be very helpful. The method has had six scientific trials and will reduce the need for medication by half within three to six months. The first instruction is to learn how to unblock your nose and not to breathe through the mouth. It is information that all asthmatics should be taught,

Hi Judy_Nelfer,

I don't know where your proof comes from but I would like to see it, but only if it has been excepted by a reputable journal such as Medline, Pubmed or similar.


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Thorax 2003;58:674-679; doi:10.1136/thorax.58.8.674
Copyright © 2003 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Thoracic Society.
ASTHMA
Effect of two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a randomised controlled trial
S Cooper, J Oborne, S Newton, V Harrison, J Thompson Coon, S Lewis and A Tattersfield

Division of Respiratory Medicine, City Hospital, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Ms S Cooper, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, City Hospital, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK;
sue.cooper@nottingham.ac.uk
Background: Patients with asthma are interested in the use of breathing exercises but their role is uncertain. The effects of the Buteyko breathing technique, a device which mimics pranayama (a yoga breathing technique), and a dummy pranayama device on bronchial responsiveness and symptoms were compared over 6 months in a parallel group study.

Methods: Ninety patients with asthma taking an inhaled corticosteroid were randomised after a 2 week run in period to Eucapnic Buteyko breathing, use of a Pink City Lung Exerciser (PCLE) to mimic pranayama, or a PCLE placebo device. Subjects practised the techniques at home twice daily for 6 months followed by an optional steroid reduction phase. Primary outcome measures were symptom scores and change in the dose of methacholine provoking a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20) during the first 6 months.

Results: Sixty nine patients (78%) completed the study. There was no significant difference in PD20 between the three groups at 3 or 6 months. Symptoms remained relatively stable in the PCLE and placebo groups but were reduced in the Buteyko group. Median change in symptom scores at 6 months was 0 (interquartile range -1 to 1) in the placebo group, -1 (-2 to 0.75) in the PCLE group, and -3 (-4 to 0) in the Buteyko group (p=0.003 for difference between groups). Bronchodilator use was reduced in the Buteyko group by two puffs/day at 6 months; there was no change in the other two groups (p=0.005). No difference was seen between the groups in FEV1, exacerbations, or ability to reduce inhaled corticosteroids.

Conclusion: The Buteyko breathing technique can improve symptoms and reduce bronchodilator use but does not appear to change bronchial responsiveness or lung function in patients with asthma. No benefit was shown for the Pink City Lung Exerciser.

Keywords: Buteyko breathing technique; complementary medicine; yoga; asthma

Cheers