Buteyko Clinic Method

Normalizing minute volume to cure asthma, sleep apnea, and chronic hyperventilation.

Key Metrics

Test BOLT Score Est. Minute Volume

The Theory of Overbreathing

Dr. Konstantin Buteyko postulated in the 1950s that sick people breathe heavily, and that heavy breathing makes people sick. Chronic overbreathing washes out CO2, causing smooth muscle constriction (asthma, vascular constriction) via the Bohr Effect.

The Control Pause (BOLT)

The core of Buteyko is measuring CO2 tolerance. A healthy person should easily hold their breath for 40 seconds after an exhalation before feeling air hunger. Asthmatics often score under 15 seconds.

Core Protocol: Reduced Volume Breathing

  1. Sit upright. Ensure strict nasal breathing.
  2. Place a finger under the nose. Breathe so lightly that the finger feels no turbulence.
  3. Maintain this slight, tolerable feeling of "air hunger" for 4-5 minutes.
  4. This trains the brainstem chemoreceptors to tolerate higher CO2.

Cited Figures

A 2003 clinical trial at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane found that Buteyko practitioners reduced reliever medication by 70% within 12 weeks.

FAQ

Q: Can I do this during exercise?
A: Yes. Nasal breathing during exercise is a core tenet of Patrick McKeown's Oxygen Advantage (a Buteyko derivative). It severely limits minute volume, forcing hypoxic adaptation.