Will Buteyko work for me?

Asthma, Allergies, Sinus, Hay Fever, Eczema, Emphysema, Bronchiectasis, C.O.P.D.

“Asthma is a word I no longer fear”

What is Buteyko ?

Reading this is your first step towards improving your health. Buteyko is a natural, drug-free way of improving health and reducing symptoms of asthma, allergies, hay fever, panic, snoring, sinus, eczema and sleep apnoea.

What will Buteyko do for You?

*	Control your asthma instead of asthma controlling you.
*	Considerably lessen allergic reactions in the airways, skin and gut.
*	Dramatically reduce your medication.
*	Provide you with greater understanding of your condition.
*	Improve your performance in sport and exercise.
*	Improve stress management and reduce your stress-related symptoms.
*	Allow you to have a good night’s sleep.

Personalised Attention to You Ensures Your Safety

Buteyko is taught either one to one or in small groups. The programme is tailored to suit each person.

People with lung damage, e.g. emphysema, bronchiectasis, C.O.P.D. (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and severe chronic asthma, usually progress at a slower rate than those with no lung damage. They can expect to have less symptoms, need less medication and have a better quality of life.

Buteyko is not about throwing away medication. Reductions are done safely as symptoms reduce and with consultation with your doctor when necessary. The techniques do not involve physiotherapy breathing exercises, meditation, religion, hypnotherapy, re-birthing, vitamins, special diets, power of positive thinking or the use of special equipment.

How Buteyko Will Help You?

Buteyko is successful in eliminating symptoms of asthma and allergies because it addresses the cause and it involves a total approach to health.
The Buteyko programme includes special breathing exercises and principles about exercise, food and sleeping that Dr. Konstantin Buteyko considered vital to good health.

Breathing is our most basic requirement for life and good health yet it is the least likely to be considered simply because it is so basic. Breathing affects every cell in your body and like blood pressure it is easy for breathing to become abnormal without you being aware of it. Breathing incorrectly will have devastating results on your health in the long term.

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation or over-breathing means breathing more air than your body needs at a particular time. Examples of hyperventilation include breathing through your mouth whilst driving a car or watching television.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Shortness of breath, chest tightness
extra sensitive airways, excessive mucus
& sneezing, long term blocked or running sinus,
coughing, excessive yawning & sighing

PSYCHOLOGICAL
Degrees of anxiety, depression, tension
& apprehension

NERVOUS SYSTEM Light-headedness, dizziness, unsteadiness, poor concentration, numbness, tingling & coldness especially in the hands, feet & face. In severe cases, loss of memory or consciousness	GENERAL Chest pain (not heart-related), poor sleep patterns, snoring, chronic exhaustion, general weakness, mouth dryness, abdominal bloating, belching and flatulence, easily tired, sweaty palms or feet, repeated throat clearing, itchy skin, headaches
HEART Racing, pounding or skipped heart beats

"BUTEYKO for me means FREEDOM.
I am CONFIDENT of CONTROLLING
my ASTHMA at anytime."

Studies show that people with asthma breathe 2-3 times more air than normal even when they do not have symptoms. Buteyko corrects this problem.

Clinical Studies
Buteyko is not a quick fix solution, there is no silver bullet to ‘cure’ your asthma or allergies, but Buteyko undoubtedly works.

In December 1994 the Australian Medical Journal published the results of the first clinical trial of the Buteyko Method in Australia. The results were an average 71% reduction in symptoms, 96% reduction in Ventolin-type drugs and a 49% reduction in inhaled steroids.The effect asthma has on quality of life also improved in regard to breathing, mood, social interaction, and concerns for the future.

In December 2003 the New Zealand Medical Journal published the results of the first clinical trial of the Buteyko Method in New Zealand. Even though this trial was twice as long as the Australian trial, it mirrored the same amazing results. Similar trial results have been found in the UK and again in Australia, confirming what Buteyko courses
have been showing for over 50 years.

Drug Therapies are Less Effective
Many people take medication for asthma and allergies yet still have symptoms because conventional treatments of asthma and allergies only mask the problem and do not address the cause. Some drugs are so powerful that they effectively suppress the symptoms but the person experiences side effects.

Medical trial results show that use of reliever medication over long term or in heavy doses may make it worse!

Will Buteyko help my asthma or allergies?

Do you get asthma or have trouble breathing through your nose when lying down or sleeping?

Yes / No

Do you get short of breathe when exercising or doing every day tasks?

Yes / No

Does your condition dictate your lifestyle?
Eg. Do you avoid activities, foods, or going places to have fewer symptoms.

Yes / No

Do you take medication yet still have symptoms?

Yes / No

Do you take reliever more than three times a week?

Yes / No

Does your condition cause you to miss work or school?

Yes / No

Are you using more medication than you were five years ago?

Yes / No

Are you concerned about possible side effectsfrom your medication or do you already suffer from them?
Eg. Racing heart, tremor, worsening symptoms, more infectionsor nose bleeds, husky voice, oral thrush, easy bruising,thinning skin or nasal tissue.

Yes / No

Does your condition make you feel chronically tired, irritable, tense or have aching muscles?

Yes / No

If you answered ‘Yes’ to four or more questions then enrolling in a Buteyko course will make an enormous positive change to your life.

If you answered ‘Yes’ to three - four questions then Buteyko will greatly improve your health.

If you answered ‘Yes’ to two or fewer questions your condition is well controlled, but Buteyko helps with sports performance, improved sleep patterns, reduced tension and stabilising the appetite.

More than 50 years of Success

For the person enrolling in a Buteyko course perhaps even more important than trial results is the fact that Buteyko has been used continuously for more than 50 years and the people who have learned the techniques confirm its success.

“I have been very impressed with the benefit to me with the Buteyko technique. Also the continuous support when I wanted advice. I had been on medication (relievers and preventers) for over 10 years since I was found to have had the disorder. My asthma did not trouble me significantly, and I took the course because I wanted to give up having drug treatment. After two months I was off all medication and tapered off and stopped the exercises a few weeks later (in January 1998).

One thing that really impresses me is that on the infrequent occasions when I feel uncomfortably ‘tight’ in my chest one double set of exercises gives me adequate relief at once, equal or better than the benefit I got from using drugs in the past.”

“Since September 1996,
I have never needed to use
my Ventolin - not even once”