Help Ease Asthma Symptoms with Breathing Exercises

Sonia Jones ND from the Haven Spa and Alternative Treatment Clinic, Boquete, Panama

Many patients have found breathing exercises have made a big difference to them, helping to reduce asthma symptoms and reducing their dependency pharmaceutical medication for controlling their asthma. Here are two main techniques, we have  most experience in the clinic with the first one -

The first is the Buteyko breathing technique was developed in the 1950s, as a method of breathing that would help asthmatics in the former Soviet Union. Since those days it has become more popular elsewhere in the world. This technique teaches you to automatically breathe less, I know it sounds strange at first hearing this, it has been observed that asthmatic breathe too much. This prevents breathing too much, which is a form hyperventilation. The Buteyko technique also includes advice about relaxation and stress reduction, medication use, nutrition and general health. An holistic alternative treatment.

The second is the Papworth method teaches relaxation and breathing techniques involves deep diaphragmatic breathing, nose breathing and matching your breathing to suit whatever activity you’re doing, some people  breathe through their mouth.

Both technique have shown reduction in asthma symptoms.

At the Haven we teach the first method along with lifestyle changes.

Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that date back hundreds of years and there are several types of yoga, but all kinds teach the importance of breathing techniques – called pranayama – which have helped some people reduce their asthma symptoms.