Proper breathing is of great importance for health and is influenced by many factors such as stress, physical condition and air quality. Respiratory therapy is used for different types of respiratory deficits, respiratory diseases, for stress, fatigue and mental illness or to learn different breathing techniques.
What is respiratory therapy?
Respiratory physiotherapy also includes certain breathing techniques and learning postures. Breathing techniques that can be learned include lip-block, abdominal and diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing is controlled by the brain. It usually occurs unconsciously and often is not noticed and observed until shortness of breath or a cold makes breathing difficult. Breathing therapies can be distinguished between medical therapies of breathing, when there is a disease or dysfunction, e.g. due to asthma, smoking or air pollution, and on the other hand therapies with the breath, which are used in alternative body or psychotherapy. Medical respiratory therapy, for example, is used to improve lung function in cases of constantly weak lungs and aims to strengthen the respiratory and bronchial systems. This type of respiratory therapy is often offered in specialized clinics. It can also be performed by appropriately trained physiotherapists. Alternative respiratory therapy involves a patient’s emotional situation and body language. The breath is seen as a force that can be harnessed for better self-awareness, relaxation and serenity. There are many different approaches and methods in this form of breath therapy. It is carried out, for example, in the practice of a respiratory therapist or in rehabilitation centers.
Function, effect and goals
Medical respiratory therapy is used for a wide range of different respiratory diseases as well as for inadequate respiratory mechanics. Deeper breathing produces a better oxygen supply to the body. Medical respiratory therapy occupies an important place in orthopedics, internal medicine, and surgery, as well as in prenatal care. Chronic respiratory tract narrowing lung disease (also called smoker’s lung) and chronic obstructive bronchitis are common diseases for which respiratory therapy is used promisingly. Especially in cases of asthma, chronic cough and shortness of breath, medical respiratory therapy is useful to alleviate an attack through special breathing techniques and to relieve shortness of breath. Respiratory physiotherapy (physical therapy) can be done using a device that causes the patient to exhale against a resistance. This dilates the bronchial tubes and allows better expectoration of mucus. It is also used to exercise the lung function. Respiratory physiotherapy also includes certain breathing techniques and learning postures, such as the coach seat, that allow easier breathing. Breathing techniques that can be learned include lip-blocking, abdominal breathing and diaphragmatic breathing. Medical respiratory therapy is also used to prevent pneumonia, strengthen chest muscles and increase lung capacity. Ultimately, respiratory therapy leads to an overall increase in patient performance. Alternative respiratory therapies are based on completely different approaches and are aimed not only at patients with weakened respiratory function, but generally at people who want to increase their body awareness and inner balance. Here it is assumed that the breath is closely interconnected with all physical and psychological functions. From this it is concluded that all human levels can be positively influenced through breathing therapy. Although breathing is involuntary, it can be consciously controlled, which is what alternative breathing therapies take advantage of. Among others, these include methods such as the Experiential Breath according to I. Middendorf, eutony according to G. Alexander, pranayama of yoga, qigong of traditional Chinese medicine and holotropic breathing according to S. Grof. Among the mental illnesses in which alternative breathing therapy plays a central role are anxiety and depression. Finally, breathing therapy is particularly important for some professional groups, such as singers, musicians, actors, and dancers.
Risks and dangers
Breath therapy that is improperly applied or superficially taught is strongly discouraged, as it can have serious side effects.For example, Holotropic Breathing therapy, which is intended to bring the person into a “different state of consciousness” through hyperventilation, poses a risk to people with blood pressure disorders or pregnant women. Caution should also be exercised with regard to breathing therapy in the case of some mental illnesses, which can worsen as a result of the breathing exercises. Therefore, before beginning respiratory therapy, it is essential to ensure that the practitioner is well qualified and that there is nothing wrong with respiratory therapy for the ailments.
