If you suffer from asthma, practicing breathing exercises may help reduce your symptoms. A study conducted by researchers at Sydney's Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Alfred Hospital in Melbourne and published in the August 2006 edition of "Thorax" found that study participants who practiced breathing exercises regularly reduced their use of preventive medicines by 86 percent. Several different types of breathing exercises can help with asthma, and one may work better for you than another.
Buteyko Breathing
The Buteyko breathing method teaches asthma patients to breathe less, which can help reduce asthma symptoms and attacks by decreasing the risk of hyperventilation. Practice this method by sitting quietly for several minutes once or twice a day and focusing on taking slow, shallow breaths. As you build up a tolerance for smaller breaths, gradually increase the amount of time you spend doing the exercise. You may find it difficult to take smaller breaths at first; it's important not to let yourself gasp or wheeze while performing the exercises, as this may trigger asthma symptoms.
Papworth Method
The Papworth breathing method focuses on deep breathing through your nose. This exercise teaches you to alter the depth and type of breath you take depending on the type of activity you're doing at the time. For example, if you are sitting quietly, normal breaths should suffice since your body doesn't need extra oxygen. This breathing exercise incorporates relaxation techniques to help you stay calm, which can help you manage your asthma triggers and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Pranayama
Pranayama is a form of breathing practiced in many yoga classes. The technique teaches students to take smooth, deep breaths while practicing relaxing yoga poses. Placing your hands on your rib cage and breathing into them to fully inflate your lungs can help you master this breathing exercise. It may also be easier to practice initially in poses that have you lie on your back, such as Corpse pose. The rhythmic pattern of pranayama can help you reduce your asthma symptoms by teaching you to be more conscious of your breaths and by giving you an opportunity each day to relax.
Considerations
Regular aerobic exercise can also help you reduce your asthma symptoms by strengthening your lungs. Working out in cold weather can make your symptoms worse, however. Talk to your doctor before beginning breathing exercises for asthma. While they are safe for most people, your doctor may recommend one method over another based on your specific symptoms and other medical conditions. Many asthmatics still require medication and other traditional treatment to manage their symptoms, so breathing exercises act as a form of complementary treatment for most people.
References
- ScienceDaily: New Breathing Exercises Help Manage Asthma; May 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Asthma Treatment: Do Complementary and Alternative Approaches Work?
- Pegasus NLP: Buteyko Breathing
- ScienceDaily: Papworth Breathing Technique Cuts Asthma Symptoms by a Third; June 2007
- "Yoga Journal": Breathing Lessons; Tony Briggs
