About asthma and breath management

A number of breathing management techniques are promoted as non-drug approaches to managing asthma. The value of breath management in treating or preventing asthma symptoms has been debated within the medical community.

Some experts state flatly that there is no evidence that these techniques have any value for asthmatics. However, many others say techniques such as pursed-lip breathing, the Buteyko method, hypnosis and yoga relaxation can help patients to regulate their breathing, control asthma triggers and limit or reduce asthma attacks.

To date, studies of these techniques have largely failed to show their effectiveness. Although patients often report benefitting from the therapies, physiological evidence generally has not been found to support these claims. As with any recommendation, patients are urged to discuss the technique with their physician.

Known as complimentary medicine, breath management techniques are designed for use alongside prescribed medications. Therefore, patients using breath management techniques should not reduce or stop taking their prescribed asthma medications without instruction from a physician. Doing so could worsen the patient’s symptoms.