Who was Buteyko?
Konstantin Buteyko was a Russian doctor who developed a method to control and eliminate many conditions that cause distress and suffering.
Over the course of his lifetime, the experiments and equipment that he developed were used to highlight specific breathing techniques in order for patients to rid themselves of troubling symptoms. These were not isolated to only those that are thought to be connected to breathing per se.
His life was met with torment – due to his discoveries – as is evidenced from the writings of his students and followers. More can be gleaned from his interview in 1982.
The Theory
Verigo-Bohr Effect
The Bohr effect describes hemoglobin’s lower affinity for oxygen secondary to increases in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and/or decreased blood pH. This lower affinity, in turn, enhances the unloading of oxygen into tissues to meet the oxygen demand of the tissue.
Atmospheric Evolution
Earth's atmosphere had anywhere between 40-90% carbonic acid (CO2) when the life was conceived on it. Then the Earth became covered by green vegetation, which took up almost all the atmospheric carbonic acid. There is now only 0.03% carbonic acid (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere!
Lungs Ventilation
During rapid breathing, carbon dioxide becomes deficient, oxygen delivery to the cells is reduced, breath-holding time is reduced, and the natural automatic pause is absent in each breath. Buteyko appreciated that breathing, controls and modulates the body’s cardiovascular, immune, nervous, and digestive systems.
My Experience
As an avid cyclist, I am on the lookout for the marginal benefits in performance from any and all elements; be it components on the bike, cycling gear, nutrition, or training etc. However, for a long time the breath and how I breathe – its mechanical output was overlooked.
That is until I came across the Buteyko Method.
The results of this are that I now will cycle and be nasal breathing for most if not all the ride. The body having adapted is more stable with higher levels of CO2. Added side benefits are: needing less fuel (food and water), being comfortable to continue for longer (endurance), as well as fewer negative physical experiences such as cramps.
The principles behind the Buteyko Method extends to support so many other health conditions – not just for performance or sporting activities. In short, it increases the body’s (/brain’s) tolerance (i.e. reduced sensitivity) to CO2 in the blood stream. Some of the science behind the techniques are attributed to the Bohr Effect, which implies that a higher tolerance of CO2 in the blood is proportional to the propensity of the oxygen carrying blood cells (hemoglobin’s) bond to oxygen. In other words – The higher the tolerance of CO2 in the body, the more easily O2 (oxygen) will be released from the blood cells. This is released to the tissues where they are needed. This starts the ripple effect of the health benefits.
After an intense period employing the Method, the results show a marked reduction in symptoms and triggers of health ailments. Less sneezing and irritation when breathing, more concentrated and focused, less tired through the day, to name a few. It is remarkable to be sitting engaged with the breathwork and become warm (even sweat!) as the blood circulates to areas of the body that need it most.
As the saying goes
“The body keeps the score”
so we need to let the body heal, what needs to be mended.