Functional Breathing with Oxygen Revolution
Functional breathing retrains the way you breathe so your lungs, nervous system and brain work in harmony. The Oxygen Revolution Buteyko-based approach targets chronic over-breathing (hyperventilation), inefficient breathing patterns and mouth-breathing – the common hidden drivers of asthma symptoms, chronic cough, noisy breathing and breathlessness.
Many people experience fewer flare-ups, reduced reliever use and a calmer, more efficient breath pattern after consistent practice. It also helps to restore good sleep for sleep apnoea sufferers and avoid getting reliant on CPAP machines. Through its action on the nervous system via the diaphragm, functional breathing alleviates anxiety symptoms and depressive states.
What is Buteyko-style functional breathing?
The Buteyko method is a collection of breathing exercises and lifestyle changes that primarily aim to reduce habitual over-breathing and restore a comfortable, nasal, diaphragmatic breathing pattern. Key components include: breath awareness, reduced-volume breathing exercises, nose breathing retraining, breath-hold/reduced-breathing tests as pointers for progress, and daily practice to build a new habit.
Why breathing pattern matters for respiratory conditions
Breathing pace and depth control the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) in the lungs and blood. Chronic over-breathing lowers PaCO₂ (respiratory alkalosis tendency), which can reduce oxygen delivery to tissues (Bohr effect) and increase airway hyper-responsiveness in susceptible people. Restoring a calmer, slower, nasal breath preserves CO₂, improves oxygen release from hemoglobin, and lowers the sensitivity of airways that react to irritants. Several randomized trials and clinical studies report that Buteyko-style training reduces medication use and improves patient-reported control and quality of life.
What the research says:
- Multiple randomized controlled trials show improvements in symptom control, quality of life, and reductions in bronchodilator use following Buteyko programs – though objective spirometry changes are often small or inconsistent. This suggests the benefit is largely functional (reduced symptoms, less breathlessness) and behavioural, not necessarily a change in lung volumes/FEV1 in every patient.
- In children and adults, evidence indicates improved asthma control and lower medication reliance after structured programs (with home practice), with the strongest findings for symptom scores and medication reduction rather than dramatic changes in lung function tests.
- The Buteyko method activates the parasympathetic nervous system response via various pathways, such as the vagal tone, acupressure points in the roof of the mouth, the phrenic nerve. That mechanism reduces anxiety, bringing mental calm and focus.
How we work with you:
- Initial assessment – breathing history, symptom mapping, medication review, breathing pattern diagnosis.
- Baseline measures – symptom score, frequency of reliever use, Control Pause measurement, observable breath pattern.
- Training plan – daily reduced-breathing exercises, nasal breathing drills, daytime and nighttime habit work, progressive breath-hold / control targets.
- Medication partnership – education about current medications, collaborating with your doctor where required, as with improved breathing control we need to reassess any medication/ supplements use.
- Maintenance – short daily practice + quick checks during flare-prone seasons.
Typical results & realistic expectations
Most people notice: calmer baseline breathing, reduced daytime breathlessness, fewer panic-like breath episodes, and fewer reliever puffs. Some reduce inhaler dependency under medical supervision. Objective improvements (using our individualised metrics of health) are variable; the best outcomes are in those who practice regularly and combine breathing with lifestyle changes (diet, sleep hygiene, light hygiene, physical activity, etc.).
Safety & contraindications
Buteyko-style training is safe for most people when taught by a trained practitioner.
Practical tips to start
- Nasal breathing is the key.
- Aim for small, quiet breaths.
- Home practice for breathing retraining takes a minimum 15 minutes, twice daily.
- Track your symptoms in a simple diary.
- Seek supervision from a trained practitioner if you have moderate–severe asthma. At Oxygen Revolution we utilise homeopathic and herbal help for asthma.