Buteyko method

[Hayman111]

Anyone else tried the Butyeko Breathing Method (BBT) and had much success with reducing/eliminating inhalers?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I have - somewhat useful to correct some bad breathing habits but didn't make much difference to the medication I needed (I have severe asthma).

The respiratory physio I saw was up front that SOME people may be able to reduce their asthma treatment when they learn it and practise it, and it makes enough of a difference to enough people that it's recommended on the NHS.

It's not going to be a cure for asthma though. There are some very cultish sites out there claiming it can eliminate asthma or the need for medication - some of the ones I've seen have a limited understanding of what asthma is and how it works, and think that Buteyko is a magic cure.

I don't know any sensible websites off the top of my head as I did mine with a physio in the hospital clinic, but others probably do. If you can do it with someone sensible guiding you it helps but isn't essential.

[Phoenix1992 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi Lysistrata,

Just a quick side question, do you know when it started to be recommended on the NHS? My 3rd referral to a consultant in a difficult asthma clinic in 2010 -2012, it was never mentioned and I was just given even more medications.

It wasn't until the end of 2019, I was persuaded by my asthma nurse to try again with a consultant, that I went down that route at a different hospital.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Phoenix1992]

I'm not sure when (tried to find the NICE appraisal on it) but I think my physio was suggesting it around 2015, so maybe a couple of years after you were seen in the clinic?

I find not all respiratory physios specifically do Buteyko but it seems standard now for a difficult/severe asthma clinic to have a physio who does some form of breathing retraining where needed, either Buteyko, something else, or a mix. They often don't like the mouth taping element though. I had one (or maybe not a physio?) who suggested it but most of the rest didn't like it.

[Phoenix1992 in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you.

Interestingly, the hospital I went to in 2019, was a general respiratory clinic. I saw the Consultant who was the clinical lead and he was definitely a very open minded person. I was lucky that although the respiratory physio I saw is also a Buteyko practitioner, she really emphasised to go slowly, at my own pace when doing it. And never mentioned mouth tape. I tried it a year later and found it made me panic, so let that idea go.

[peege]

Nope, sorry. I like to use pursed lip breathing for walking inclines, I do deep diaphragm breathing to fill my lungs as often as possible otherwise its just short breaths only using the top of my lungs. Deep breathing is calming as well & reduces the stress of shortness of breaths. It doesn't take away my need for inhalers to keep my airways open though. I only know one person who's used it for herself and asthmatic children (on another forum).

[Jjude1003]

I’ve had great success with it. It’s counterintuitive to try to relax your breath and breath less when you feel like you are having difficulty breathing but it really helps. I don’t use the rescue inhaler anymore. All asthmatics are different but for my symptoms I’ve found the Buteyko techniques very helpful.

[Hayman111 in reply to Jjude1003]

Thanks for your response! I’ve seen on a number of threads you’ve praised the Buteyko method. Do you still take a steroid inhaler in addition to the method?

[Jjude1003 in reply to Hayman111]

yes. I've seen claims that the method enables some people to totally come off medication but that hasn't been the case for me. I've never had must success with rescue inhalers (Albuterol) so for me the Buteyko breathing techniques really help in that regard.

[Poobah]

Yes, my respiratory physiotherapist recommended Buteyko and it's helped me overcome the mouth breathing habit, to a greater degree. It means that my breathing quality has improved and I sleep better, but don't expect it to lead to less asthma meds. It will teach you why nasal and diaphragmatic breathing is important and how the respiratory system is supposed to work and the negative affects on health that bad breathing habits can have.

It's probably very good in those awful moments of breathlessness that can lead to a full blown attack.

I think Buteyko can help most people, whether they are asthmatic or not. And it won't make things worse, so I say, give it a go. I use Patrick McKeown videos on YouTube for refreshing my memory and to keep from slipping back into bad habits.

[Helloeveryone_]

Hi

I was taught the buteyko method by an nhs respiratory physiotherapist I went initially for breathing exercises then he asked if I wanted to learn it.

It’s really helpful to me and one of the biggest things is it’s taught me to nose breathe as much as possible, it slows down your breathing and filters air warming cold etc.

I also notice if I feel anxious I am mouth breathing so stopping and nose breathing makes me feel better.

When I was doing the exercises regularly I noticed a difference and I try and prioritise them as much as possible.

Like all health things it might not suit everyone and I felt confident and comfortable being taught by a nhs person I think it seems a slightly gentler teaching method than the one on the documentary.

So be careful with how/ who you learn from and I haven’t changed my medication from learning it.

[Hayman111]

Thank you all kindly for your responses.

I've had a mixed journey with inhalers and the BBT over the past couple of years.

For much of my life I was on Seretide 125 two puff twice daily. However, in 2018 I developed a chronic productive cough. After seeing a respiratory counsultant, I was placed onto Fostair 200/6. This worked wonders for my breathing, however it also came with a litany of side-effects: tinnitus, really unpleasant taste in mouth, increased heart rate and anxiety. I then spent a year trying out different inhlaers, not to much joy.

I then read the book 'Breath' and was put back on to the BBT. I started to do the exercises and actually went off my inhalers entirely for 6 months. I'm a keen runner and I was still able to run at a fast speed (sub-18 5k), however I often didn't feel great day-to-day, and my chest felt tight.

For the past couple of months I've been on Seretide 50 one puff twice daily. I find this works okay, but that sometimes my breathing actually feels worse on it. My current plan is to try and go back onto Fostair 100/6 PMDi (I find the DPIs don't work great for me) and give it a good couple of months. My main worry is increased levels of anxiety on it, however hopefully that will subside with time.

Thanks again for all your help/suggestions and feel free to comment if you have any ideas/suggestions for my predicament or have had similar experiences.

[Phoenix1992 in reply to Hayman111]

I just found your thread from replying to another post from you. My NHS respiratory physio is also a Buteyko practitioner and she taught me a gentler version. No mouth taping. It has really helped me reduce my meds and I do it before I use my reliever for 2 x 10 minutes and if it hasn't improved my shortness of breath or I don't make it that long, I know it's asthma. I am still learning as started using it 4 years ago and diagnosed with dyfunctional breathing pattern 2 years ago, when I successfully managed to reduce some meds. It has been life changing with regard to my quality of life. The only time I don't use it first is when I am having a sudden asthma attack or a severe reaction to my more extreme triggers. It's also helpful between inhaler puffs during an asthma excacerbation. I was a complete mouth breather before, which may be why I had such improvement in my asthma, my allergies are now filtered through my nose.