Our Case Studies

READ OUR CASE STUDIES:

The following are some people I have met and worked with. The names have been changed to protect their privacy. It will give you an insight into how the Buteyko Breathing programme helps so many people with different symptoms.

Valerie

Valerie came to the course because she was completely frustrated with the increasing number of symptoms she was experiencing. She had a very healthy diet and was conscious of the importance of exercise and had tried several other modalities to help her.

She was experiencing breathlessness at rest, chest tightness, broken sleep , frequent sighs, frequent yawning, anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness and tiredness.

Through the Buteyko breathing programme, she understood why she was being presented with so many symptoms of over-breathing and learned ways to address it. Through doing the reduced breathing exercises she got a good nights sleep and this impacted on how she was during the day. Her job involved talking a lot and through the Buteyko Breathing programme she learnt exercises that were easy to use anywhere to help her cope with the demands of her job.

Robert

Robert was a young man working and completing his studies. He was diagnosed with Asthma in early childhood and when he came to the sessions he was experiencing the following symptoms: Wheezing, chest tightness, Frequent colds, snoring. racing mind, frequent yawning, anxiety, tummy upsets/ IBS and exercise induced asthma. He used a preventor and reliever inhalers.

Over the four weeks of the sessions Robert learnt the importance nasal breathing, something he found very difficult to do day and night. He learnt to calm down his breathing with the reduced breathing exercises and how to exercise without distress. Through this programme Robert experienced less symptoms and had a better quality of life.

The exercises he learnt are for life.

James

James came because his wife sent him! He didn’t know anything about Buteyko breathing before he came. He recently had been diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea and was required to use a CPAP machine at night. His main symptoms were chest tightness, snoring, Frequent sighs, frequent yawning, and occasionally dizziness and poor concentration during the day.

The big learning curve for James was learning that how he breathed during the day had a huge impact at night and how he breathed at night impacted him during the day. All the years of snoring had taken a toll. Through the programme James learnt why Nasal breathing is important and how some bad habits contributed to his condition. He focused on developing good breathing habits and overtime his need for the CPAP machine lessened.

Jenny

Jenny was going through a very stressful period in her life, mainly due to the financial crisis. She suffered from migraines. Other symptoms she experienced included palpitations, racing mind, erratic heart beat , frequent yawning and sighing, anxiety, headaches, achy muscles. It was clear the stress, which was going on a long time was not going to go away.

What was important for Jenny was to find a way of coping with continued stress so that her health would not suffer. The Buteyko Breathing exercises gave her tools to cope with the stress and a way to monitor how she was coping. Importantly it helped her have a better nights sleep.

Sue

Sue’s main problem as an irritating cough at night and exercise induced Asthma. She was diligent about exercise and used a Fitbit. Following exercises she would have episodes of coughing and wheezing for which she used an inhaler. Her broken sleep at night was taking a toll.

Sue followed the programme diligently and very quickly she was getting a better nights sleep without coughing attacks. She was able to track this on her Fitbit which showed the difference in her sleep patterns before the programme and during the programme.

My asthma was giving me a lot of trouble during exercise. I also had trouble sleeping at night for over two years due to increased stress following an asthma attack.

I had been a mouth breather for years with constant rhinitis and a blocked nose. I had become resigned to it until my discomfort increased. An acquaintance mentioned The Buteyko Method to me and I found Martha on their website.

Lucky find! My sessions with Martha, the breathing exercises and the encouragement and affirmation I received, have made a huge difference to my quality of life.

I have made the switch to nasal breathing, which I thought previously to be impossible for me, I have a much improved and more restful sleep and have increased energy. Most of my fears around asthma have decreased and I have learned tools to handle any shortness of breath or stressful situations.

Martha also shared useful tips around relaxation and nutrition which I needed to hear. I am delighted with my progress.

Margaret - Dublin

Re-learning how we breathe from Martha has been an eye-opening and very positive experience for me. I continue to do the exercises that Martha prescribed for me 18 months ago not because I feel I have to do them, but because I want to do them - they are so relaxing!

Just recently I had a big project to complete and with the deadline approaching, I noticed my breathing starting to revert to old ways. I got out my Buteyko book and began doing the exercises more frequently and immediately I could feel my chest and breathing relax again.

This is technique is so simple and enjoyable to practice. If you have the opportunity to learn more about the Buteyko method, then go for it!

Caitriona - Dublin