buteyko

Dr. Semmelweiss discovered the importance of disinfectants and the washing of hands to reduce deaths caused by infection and the elimination of infections passed from one patient to another. It sounds like common sense to us now but after his initial discovery in 1846 he was slandered and ridiculed by other doctors for trying to educate others about his discovery. He was eventually declared insane and committed to an asylum where he died some time later. It was not until 50 years after Semmelweiss's discovery that the procedure became accepted by physicians. This was due to the efforts of Dr. Lister in England and a great amount of public pressure (relatives of patients began appearing in hospitals demanding that surgeons wash their hands before touching the patient). It is sad to realise that the change came not from the physicians desire to help heal their patients but from public pressure.

The reason I tell you of this piece of history is by way of warning: even now not all doctors are progressive, humble or informed enough to make a judgement on the effectiveness of the therapy we are about to inform you about, so be careful whom you ask about it. Make sure it’s someone who really knows about the Buteyko (pronounced Boo-take-oh) therapy.

Dr. Paul Ameisen describes the Buteyko therapy as :

"...the greatest medical discovery of the 20th century"

Dr. Parris Kidd stated:

"Oxygen plays a pivotal role in the functioning of the immune system; i.e. resistance to disease, bacteria and viruses."

Dr. Stephen Levine says:

"We can look at oxygen deficiency as the single greatest cause of all disease."

A good example of this is cancer of which renowned biochemist and Nobel prize laureate Dr. Otto Warburg says:

"The prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the normal oxygen respiration of the body cells by an anaerobic [without oxygen] cell respiration."

OXYGEN – Why is it so important?

The above quotes and many clinical trials indicate that the single most important thing to the human body is OXYGEN. Common sense already tells us this by looking how long we can live without various things our bodies require. i.e. without oxygen approximately 3 minutes before death

Is deep breathing the answer? (Do not attempt this if you have any health problems.) The answer, it follows, is NO. In fact deep breathing causes the onset of hyperventilation which, as everyone knows, is not a good thing. In fact there is not a shred of scientific evidence to support the idea that "Deep breathing is good for you" - IT IS ABSOLUTELY SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO BE FALSE.

In fact what is proven is that breathing less has health benefits. - What's that? You don't believe it? Most people don't and that's why they remain sick and reliant on orthodox medicine. But lets look at the FACTS.

The World Health Organisation, which sets independent health standards for the world, has stated that the MAXIMUM rate of breathing should be 10-12 breaths per minute in order to maintain good health- THE MAXIMUM.

Why do doctors often advise asthma patients to swim? As part of an asthma management program, doctors, for many years, have been advising patients to go swimming, resulting in approximately 50% of the, now, Australian Swim Team becoming involved in their sport to manage their condition. This is the only exercise most doctors know which reduces the rate of breathing whilst increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body. It is that CO2 which helps oxygen (O2) to be taken into the blood and to the bodys' cells. In first year biology at university and text books for first year medical students this information appears and is known as the Bohr effect (after the scientist who discovered it).

Still not convinced? It is a medical fact that the part of the brain which controls breathing (the hypothalamus) monitors the CO2 levels in the blood and responds by a change in breathing. The body also responds in other ways, i.e. asthma, blocked nose, panic attack, poor circulation resulting in cold hands and feet...the list is very long.

Why do many people wake up with a dry mouth or blocked nose in the morning? Extensive studies have shown this is due to people sleeping on their back, breathing through their mouth deeply and rapidly and thus losing too much carbon dioxide. The body responds the only way it can to slow the loss of carbon dioxide - it blocks up the nose. Some suffer asthma attacks - again the body is reducing breathing but in a very desperate and dramatic way. During an asthma attack, an asthmatic cannot breathe out; an indication of the body's need to build depleted carbon dioxide levels.

A second discovery found that an inadequate amount of carbon dioxide in the blood changes the chemical composition which inhibits haemoglobin from releasing oxygen to the cells. Thus, no matter what the oxygen level in the blood it cannot be released effectively to the body's' cells where it is needed. It is like a train. The tracks are arteries, the train is haemoglobin, and the passengers are oxygen particles. The train (haemoglobin) tries to deliver the passengers (oxygen) to the station (the body's' cells) but the passengers cannot get off without some help from CO2! (The doors of the train must open for the passengers to get out.) The conditions must be right, if not the whole process cannot go on efficiently.

Because the body's' cells are not receiving the necessary oxygen for energy production they must produce energy without oxygen. This results in a loss of important minerals which causes many other problems within the body. i.e. evidence in regard to many diseases caused by a lack of magnesium, or loss

Thirdly, the area in the brain which controls breathing (the hypothalamus) responds to the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. If (as is the case in most people suffering hyperventilation related health problems) the brain is used to accepting low levels of carbon dioxide (and that may be lower than is necessary for proper body functioning), the bodys' reaction is to release any CO2 over this set level, thus losing valuable CO2 by over breathing which causes worse health problems.

Balance enables healing

It is obvious that breathing is the most important function of the body which keeps us alive but, as with food, it is not a question of "more is better" but of striking an important balance. When we breathe out we release CO2 (carbon dioxide) which is just as important to our bodily processes as oxygen and thus if we breathe more than is necessary (we only need 10-12 breaths per minute) then this causes the body to react in a way that causes many health problems. Sit comfortably and quietly at home and count the number of breaths you take in one minute (in and out is counted as one breath) MOST PEOPLE OVER BREATHE.

The Buteyko technique increases the level of CO2 in lungs and blood while reconditioning the brain to accept higher levels of CO2 in the blood. This creates a healthy level of CO2 and allows for maintaining this level, it aids the bodys' defence mechanisms and allows healing to engage uninhibited.

THOSE WITH OTHER AILMENTS BESIDES ASTHMA MUST BE AWARE THAT THIS THERAPY CAN HELP EVERYONE TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH.

KNOWN SIDE EFFECTS of asthma management drugs are many and varied according to the specific drug and the individuals' body chemistry. (i.e. a bee sting may kill one person yet leave another with almost no effect). To avoid confusion, all admitted side effects are listed below as a group of "asthma management drugs" without specification of the drug name responsible. Known and admitted side effects are:

. Eye dysfunction (including "blurry vision, cataracts & in worst cases "acute angle glaucoma" which can cause blindness).

. Hormonal imbalance (suppression of bodys' natural steroids which, in an emergency situation, can lead to death) referred to as "hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis depression".

. Heart dysfunction ("palpitation" or irregular heart beat including "arrhythmia" which is a dangerously irregular beating.

. Hyperventilation (which leads to asthma attacks, cellular O2 deprivation and loss of important minerals which causes further illness).

. Nervous system imbalances causing irritability, "nervousness", restlessness and symptoms very similar to A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) in children.

. Throat irritation (in extreme cases leading to vocal sounds being affected due to damage to the nerves, some experiencing paralysis of the vocal cords).

In addition, for those with sinusitis, bronchitis or emphysema who have been prescribed antibiotics can experience some of the above plus severe reactions such as swelling of the throat and body, resulting in choking and liver failure which all can be dangerous, life-threatening reactions. There is also a weakening of the bodys' immune system.

ASTHMA – The Buteyko Therapy is drug free

We can offer a drug free solution to your condition without the risk. Furthermore, the fee will be refunded to any asthmatic* who does not experience the benefits of the Buteyko therapy within the first week - most feel it within 24 hours! The Buteyko breathing technique is relatively simple to learn and is taught by a trained practitioner in individual or group workshops. These are held at convenient venues according to the following schedule;

Totalling 4 1/2 hours of workshop sessions plus all necessary printed material and the practitioner is also available by phone should you have any concerns. (For cancer patients, who are allowed to attend free of charge, only a 2 hour course is necessary.) Remember we are talking about a way of healing your health problem without drugs or further cost. You might want to calculate what it costs you at present to control (not solve) your problem. In this you need to include such things as; inability to work or be active, doctors visits, drug costs, ($650 million dollars in government asthma related medical costs alone - which you pay for in tax) social costs, and any other related expenses you care to include. The other cost of course is the cumulative effect on your health due to the drugs you may be currently taking, i.e. side effects. (Literature for you to read on this subject is available upon request.) The Buteyko breathing technique is a proven treatment with a 90% success rate over a 50 year period which will eliminate many health problems by treating the CAUSE not the symptoms. The point is that we are offering you a drug free way to get rid of your health problem and you do not have to come back.

It is advised that patients bring along their normal medications as they would on any normal outing in case of an asthma attack.

ASTHMA – Do you understand your drugs?

For asthmatics it is especially important that you understand the relationship of your management drugs.

"Reliever" drugs (ventolin etc.) will usually stop an asthma attack, however one of the side-effects is an inflammation in the "breathing tubes" thus making breathing more difficult over a period of time. "Preventer" medication (usually in the form of a corticosteroid) is one of the strongest anti-inflammatories known and therefore reduce this dangerous side-effect of "reliever" medication, [Ameisen, P]. Much research has proven that it is very dangerous to continue using "reliever" medication without "preventer" medication. If preventer medication is prescribed by your doctor - TAKE IT as prescribed. In the 1996 handbook developed by the National Asthma Campaign for doctors in Australia it is recommended to all General Practitioners that a spacer be prescribed for the administration of inhaled management drugs. This is in accordance to the "latest" research findings - Dr. Buteyko has been prescribing this for more than the last 30 years. The reason for this is that without the use of a spacer as much as 80% of the drug is absorbed into the back of the throat instead of getting down into the lungs where it is needed .

It is strongly recommended that you read either of the books published on the Buteyko method. They are available at most libraries or through bookstores. They are:

Minerals, Water, The Diet

In addition, even if you decide not to proceed with the Buteyko therapy, it is recommended that you look closely at your diet; colloidal minerals (and other effective supplements ) and get a water filter installed. Almost all diets are lacking in the nutrient levels required by our bodies due to our own habits and/or irresponsibility of food producers. Modern farming techniques are not providing the 60 minerals we need in plant form (research by Dr Carey A. Reams) for optimum health and the above supplements are especially important to an ailing body. Magnesium alone is needed in hundreds of biochemical reactions within your body and if you breathe badly, on top of lacking it in your diet, you expel much needed magnesium. To compensate for your loss through breathing, magnesium must be taken. For best absorption take in the colloidal ** form.

A particularly good source of information regarding minerals is the audio tape by Dr. Joel Wallach "Dead Doctors' Don't Lie" which is available at most health food shops for about $4 - it is one of the best purchases you could make.

As we are 85% water, it is obviously important to give our bodies a fresh supply of water every day. However, like with air and food, it is not just the quantity of water that's important but also the quality. (You should drink approximately 2 - 2.5 litres of water per day.) Pollutants, chemical additives and microorganisms compromise the quality of water alarmingly and therefore your health. Look at getting a very good quality water filter. (Please note that water contained in plastic bottles has a plastic softening agent leached into it which is a xenoestrogen, disrupting the normal hormonal messages throughout the body.)

Some literature on these subjects is available from myself upon request. Research on some of the areas discussed can also be perused. If you are interested in information on vaccination/immunisation or cancer, please ask after the information session or contact me when convenient. (The Australian Vaccination Network contact number is (03) 9752 3544).

CANCER

It is recommended that you talk to me about this subject. There is much misleading information on this subject and the emotional state of suffers, their families and friends makes you all vulnerable. Apart from Buteyko there are many other therapies which have proven beneficial. The most successful involves a combination of approaches varied according to the type of cancer being treated. There is no charge for cancer patients attending workshops.

How does Buteyko help with cancer?

Buteyko alkalizes the body (cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment) and oxygenates the body (cancer cannot survive in a well oxygenated environment).

Dr. Stephen Levine says:

"We can look at oxygen deficiency as the single greatest cause of all disease."

A good example of this is cancer of which renowned biochemist and Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Otto Warburg says:

"The prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the normal oxygen respiration of the body cells by an anaerobic [without oxygen] cell respiration."

Take your health into your own hands. The things written here and spoken about empower you to do that or at least point you in the right direction. This is not only your opportunity, but also the opportunity of those you know, to obtain optimum health and avoid having to endure unnecessarily prolonged health problems, which may result in premature death. Many people die everyday from causes, which are preventable using the above-mentioned therapies.

The Buteyko Therapy

A brief history about medical trust

OXYGEN – Why is it so important?

Balance enables healing

ASTHMA – The Buteyko Therapy is drug free

ASTHMA – Do you understand your drugs?

Minerals, Water, The Diet

CANCER

How does Buteyko help with cancer?