A growing body of evidence supports the role of breathing re-education in improving sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A scientific peer-reviewed article co-authored by breathing expert Patrick McKeown and ENT doctors Carlos O'Connor and Guillermo Plaza delves into this topic.
The review highlights how breathing re-education can be a valuable tool for those who mouth breathe during sleep, and MyoTape is mentioned as a supportive aid for this purpose.
What is Breathing Re-Education?
Breathing re-education involves several key practices aimed at improving the way you breathe. These include:
- Using Breath-Hold Time: This measures your sensitivity to carbon dioxide.
- Restoring Nasal Breathing: Encouraging full-time nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing.
- Correcting Tongue Position: Ensuring the tongue rests correctly in the mouth.
- Reducing Respiration Rate: Bringing the rate of breathing back to normal levels.
- Engaging the Diaphragm: Learning to properly use the diaphragm for breathing.
- Achieving Normal Minute Ventilation: Ensuring the amount of air you breathe in a minute is within normal limits.
Supported by 160 references, this comprehensive review can be accessed here.
The article reviews four different types (phenotypes) of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Interestingly, only one of these phenotypes is anatomical, meaning that anatomical treatments alone may not fully resolve OSA.
The review suggests that breathing re-education and myofunctional therapy could be beneficial for all four phenotypes, offering a more personalized approach to treatment. Breathing re-education offers a personalized treatment approach by addressing the biochemical, biomechanical, and resonant frequency dimensions of functional breathing.
Dr. Patrick McKeown offers a comprehensive Breathing Re-Education Course. This course offers scientifically backed techniques to transform your breathing patterns, enhance your sleep quality, and boost your overall health. Learn how to breathe correctly through your nose, engage your diaphragm, and achieve balanced respiration.
A useful tool that can help you breathe properly through your nose is MyoTape. This safe and effective mouth tape was designed by Dr, Patrick, and it gently trains you to breathe nasally while sleeping, as well as during the day. They are effective in boosting your respiratory intake, reducing snoring, and treating OSA. You can start by exploring our MyoTape products. We have mouth tapes for sensitive skin, for adults, for beards, and for kids.
References:
McKeown P, O’Connor-Reina C, Plaza G. Breathing Re-Education and Phenotypes of Sleep Apnea: A Review. J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 26;10(3):471. doi: 10.3390/jcm10030471. PMID: 33530621; PMCID: PMC7865730.
