Breathing exercises for asthma should be tailored, physio advises

People with asthma who feel their breathing could be better should see a physiotherapist experienced in dysfunctional breathing, writes Taranaki respiratory physiotherapist Zoë Manderson.

Evidence suggests up to 30% of people with asthma are affected by dysfunctional breathing, an unhelpful change in breathing pattern that can cause shortness of breath, dizziness and chest tightness. It is also called disordered breathing or hyperventilation syndrome, and it can affect anyone.

Manderson works for Te Whatu Ora and sits on the Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation’s Respiratory Advisory Board. The advice comes from a regular column for the foundation.

During an asthma flare up or attack, breathing changes, Manderson explains. People may work harder to breathe, breathe through the mouth and use the upper chest a lot. This is a normal response to sudden airway changes and should settle once the episode has passed.

For some people, this pattern turns into a long-term habit that can make asthma symptoms feel worse. That is why breathing exercises are a common treatment for people with asthma.

Many approaches exist, including Buteyko breathing, the Papworth Method, the BradCliff Method, yogic breathing and deep diaphragmatic breathing. According to Manderson, they share the same base principles: which muscles you use, the ratio of breathing in to breathing out, nose or mouth breathing, and the volume and rate of breaths.

All of them aim to improve the breathing pattern and ease the symptoms of dysfunctional breathing.

There is no one size fits all approach, Manderson advises. Treatment should suit the individual and come from an appropriate healthcare professional, who can complete a proper assessment and find the right treatment.