Asthma & COPD
Buteyko Breathwork Support
Living with asthma or COPD means breathing is never far from your mind. Wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, reliance on inhalers, these symptoms can feel relentless. But what many people don't realise is that the way they breathe may actually be making things worse.
The Buteyko Method is based on the principle that chronic overbreathing and hyperventilation contribute directly to respiratory disorders like asthma. Hyperventilation reduces carbon dioxide levels in the blood, disrupting the oxygen delivery system and triggering airway constriction, the very symptoms you're trying to manage.
Through a personalised Buteyko breathwork programme, I help you retrain your breathing patterns from the ground up, shifting from mouth breathing to nasal breathing, reducing overbreathing, and restoring healthy carbon dioxide levels. Working gently and progressively, you'll learn to:
-
Reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks
-
Ease shortness of breath and chest tightness
-
Clear nasal congestion and reduce excess mucus
-
Improve oxygen efficiency and lung function
-
Reduce your reliance on inhalers and rescue medication (under GP supervision)
-
Build sustainable breathing habits that support better daily life with COPD
Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that the Buteyko Method can significantly reduce asthma symptoms and medication use, and it is recognised as a non-pharmacological intervention in some asthma treatment plans.
My sessions work alongside your existing medical care and GP treatment, never instead of it. Most clients begin to notice a meaningful improvement in their symptoms within six to eight sessions, and leave with practical breathing techniques they can use every single day.
FAQ's
Can Buteyko breathwork help with asthma?
Yes, there is a growing body of clinical evidence supporting Buteyko breathwork as an effective complementary approach for people with asthma. By promoting nasal breathing and reducing hyperventilation, the Buteyko Method can help decrease the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks and keep symptoms at bay. It works by restoring healthy carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which reduces airway constriction, one of the root causes of asthma symptoms. It is used alongside, not instead of, your prescribed medication and should always be discussed with your GP
Is Buteyko breathwork safe if I have COPD?
Yes, when delivered by a qualified practitioner and adapted to your individual needs, Buteyko breathwork is a safe and gentle complementary therapy for people with COPD. A 2019 study found that individuals with COPD who practised Buteyko breathing for six weeks showed significant improvement in pulmonary function. Diane always works at a pace that is right for you, taking your current health and medical care fully into account. As with any new therapy, it is important to consult your GP before starting.
Can breathwork reduce my reliance on asthma inhalers?
Many people who practise the Buteyko Method regularly do report a reduced need for rescue inhalers over time. The Buteyko Method has been reported to improve quality of life for some people with asthma and may reduce the use of reliever medicines. However, any reduction in medication must always be done gradually and under the supervision of your GP or consultant, my sessions supports this process but never replaces medical guidance.
How is Buteyko different from other breathing exercises for asthma and COPD?
Most breathing exercises encourage you to take bigger, deeper breaths. The Buteyko Method takes the opposite approach, teaching you to breathe less, more gently, and always through the nose. The aim of breath retraining is to restore physiologically normal breathing and improve related symptoms, rather than simply managing them in the moment. This makes it uniquely effective for chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD, where overbreathing is often a root driver of symptoms rather than just a side effect.