Learning the Buteyko method by modules
What Doctor Buteyko wrote in 1994 in his manual
about importance of theoretical studies of the student
1. Assimilation of Theory related to the Buteyko method
In the first place the patient must assimilate the following simplified representation of the deep breathing disease theory:
1. Deep breathing brings about alkaline shifts in the body which interfere with metabolic processes, causes the manifestation of allergy, susceptibility to chill, excessive growth of bone tissues (commonly known as 'salt deposition') etc. and can provoke even the development of tumors.
2. Deep breathing produces a harmful effect since it is associated with an excessive removal of carbon dioxide and promotes a deficit of CO2 in the body.
3. A defensive response of an organism is effected through the constriction of pathways which serve for CO2 elimination (nasal cavity, bronchs, arteries) making a spasmodic impact on smooth muscles of intestines, biliary ducts etc, causing sclerotic changes in blood vessels and tissue cells down to complete loss of their functions. With the changes in acid-base equilibrium evidenced in Werigo-Bohr's effect (increase in oxygen affinity to haemoglobin, alterations in oxyhaemoglobin dissociation). Observed is the situation when the blood gets fully saturated with oxygen, while the cells and tissues suffer the oxygen starvation, i.e. deep breathing brings about oxygen starvation of the organism. Thus, a distinct physiological mechanism is acting in the process: the deeper the breathing, the less amount of oxygen is delivered to the tissues.
4. Oxygen starvation causes a rise in arterial blood pressure. Hypertension can develop so as to provide the tissues and organs suffering oxygen deficiency with blood by raising its flow rate.
5. Oxygen starvation of the body causes a false feeling of air deficit, thus making a patient's breathing deeper. But the deeper the breathing, the heavier the suffocation, and a vicious cycle is completed.
6. Sputum formation in the lungs in deep breathing is considered as a positive factor for it protects against deep breathing, while the cough is harmful as it is accompanied by extremely deep inhalation and exhalation which damage the lungs and cause heart overstrain, driving the sputum deeper into the lungs and preventing it from being excreted.
The patient can cough only after he has taken a slight breath through the nose with his mouth shut if the sputum is brought up. At the diminishing of depth of respiration the sputum becomes useless and is easily brought-up if the patient is coughing as described above.
The VEDB techniques are not disclosed to the patient on the first stage of training if there are no vital indications.
The patients study the theory within 1 to 3 days, then their knowledge is checked and they are given marks according to the 5 point scale system. There exists a direct interconnection between the level of the theory assimilated and the effect produced by the treatment. Quick-witted patients begin to reduce the depth of respiration independently and manage to improve their condition.
Such patients who have undergone deep-respiration tests and assimilated the theory with an excellent mark are allowed to proceed with the second stage of training. Those who have not understood the theory will continue the studies...
Extracts from Buteyko KP, The method of volitional elimination of deep breathing (or the Buteyko method) [Translation of the Small Buteyko Manual], Voskresensk, 1994.