Breathing

Breathing is the foundation of the voice and speech that we use to communicate in our everyday.

Our volume and rate of speech are very dependent on respiration, the way we breathe. The vocal folds (voice box) serve not only as instruments of phonation (the production of sound), but, just as importantly, as a valve opening and closing over our trachea (windpipe) and lungs.

We speak on our breath out, and the longer our breath in, the more words we can produce clearly on that breathe out. In addition, the deeper we breathe in, the more force, or louder, we can project our voice. Proper upright posture and alignment of our trunk, neck and head facilitates efficient breathing and clear and audible speech and voice.

Some people may experience difficulties with breathing due to medical diagnosis including Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, etc or because of genetic or oro-facial abnormalities.

Some breathing disorders can be classified under the term Upper Airway Dysfunction including:

• Breathing pattern disorder
• Vocal cord dysfunction/Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction
• Chronic cough
• Muscle tension

What is Buteyko Method?

Buteyko Method is essentially, breathing re-training. Most people assume their breathing must be fine because they are still alive, however modern lifestyle has disrupted the natural way of breathing. Signs of dysfunctional breathing may be; mouth breathing, frequent yawning, sighing, sniffing and snoring. Re-training the way you breathe has been proven to assist with a range of health issues including voice and swallowing difficulties, asthma, sinusitis, sleep apnoea, snoring, reflux, and anxiety, all associated with dysfunctional breathing.

One of our experienced clinicians is certified in the Buteyko Method and can provide tailored support and speech therapy to you or your loved one experiencing breathing difficulties.