Breath work Expert Views

Vikki Jones, a personal trainer and wellness coach, shared her experience with breathwork as a treatment for Long Covid on the Long Covid Podcast. She initially struggled with breathing exercises due to her condition, but gradually saw benefits as she learned the biomechanics of breathing. Vikki emphasized the need for breathwork programs tailored specifically for Long Covid patients, as standard methods may not be suitable. She collaborated with Patrick McKeown, an expert in breathing techniques, to develop modified exercises for Long Covid sufferers. Vikki highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding when working with individuals experiencing Long Covid symptoms.

Hadas Golan and Rosalba Courtney discuss how breath work can help people with Long Covid by addressing dysfunctional breathing patterns. They highlight that many Long Covid patients have very low carbon dioxide levels, which can disrupt the body's balance. Breath work, when done gently and correctly, can help restore this balance. They also emphasize the importance of group sessions, which not only teach breathing techniques but also provide social connection and emotional support, which are crucial for recovery.

Robin McNelis, a respiratory physiotherapist and Long Covid sufferer, explains that breathing exercises can help manage symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues. He highlights that some people develop chronic breathing patterns after acute illnesses, such as using upper chest muscles instead of the diaphragm or over-breathing, which disrupts carbon dioxide levels in the body. This imbalance can lead to symptoms resembling asthma, but retraining breathing patterns often improves these issues. McNelis emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of carbon dioxide in relaxing smooth muscles, which impacts airways, blood vessels, and the gastrointestinal system.

Rachel Whitfield, who recovered from Long Covid, shared her experience with breath work as a transformative part of her recovery. Initially skeptical, she discovered through a breathing physiotherapist that her breathing was dysfunctional, which she hadn't realized. She emphasized that many Long Covid symptoms, like shortness of breath, might be linked to dysfunctional breathing rather than lung damage. Breath work helped her manage flare-ups and improved her sleep, becoming a vital part of her daily routine.

Wibbs Coulson, a yoga and movement teacher with a background as an A&E nurse, emphasizes the importance of breath work for individuals with Long Covid. He explains that Long Covid can cause physiological changes that affect both the body and mind. Breath work can help improve lung capacity, CO2 tolerance, and nitric oxide production, which opens up airways and enhances breathing. Coulson also highlights the connection between physiology and psychology, suggesting that improving physical responses can positively impact mental health. His breathing classes aim to help people regain control over their breathing and energy, enabling them to perform daily activities more comfortably.

Fiona Agombar, a yoga therapist, emphasizes the importance of breath work in managing Long Covid. She explains that breath work can help regulate the nervous system, shifting it from a 'fight or flight' state to a 'rest and digest' state, which is essential for healing. Agombar highlights that Long Covid often affects the respiratory system, making breath work particularly relevant. She also notes that trauma, including the fear of not being able to breathe, can make breath work challenging for some individuals, but it remains a crucial area to focus on for recovery.

Dr. Jennifer Curtin emphasizes the importance of breath work for improving the autonomic nervous system, which controls automatic body functions like breathing and digestion. She highlights that breath work can stimulate the vagus nerve, a key nerve involved in these processes, and can be done alongside medical treatments. Dr. Curtin also mentions that breath work is accessible and free, making it a practical option for patients. She compares the autonomic nervous system to air traffic control, managing critical functions, and notes its role in chronic illnesses like Long COVID and ME/CFS.

Dr. Raouf Gharbo emphasizes the importance of breathing techniques and sleep in managing Long Covid. He suggests starting with simple breathing practices that focus on synchronizing and creating parasympathetic resonance, rather than breath holds or strengthening exercises. Dr. Gharbo highlights the use of wearable monitors and remote coaching to teach these techniques, which can help reduce anxiety and improve Heart Rate Variability (HRV). He also stresses the need to track physiological sleep recovery and make decisions based on it, as better sleep and breathing are key starting points for rehabilitation.

Lorna Nicholson, founder of PoTS UK, emphasizes the importance of breath work for individuals with Long Covid, particularly those experiencing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS). She explains that dysfunctional breathing patterns, often caused by trauma or stress, can lead to physical changes in the body and contribute to symptoms like neck and shoulder pain. Nicholson highlights the role of slow belly breathing in shifting the nervous system from a 'fight or flight' state to a 'rest and digest' state, which can help improve overall well-being. She also notes that individualized guidance can be beneficial, as some people find standard breathing exercises too challenging.

The expert discusses the use of deep breathing exercises as a helpful practice for managing symptoms of Long Covid, particularly cognitive dysfunction and voice loss. They emphasize the importance of proper breathing techniques, such as abdominal breathing, to improve oxygenation and support brain function. The expert highlights the box breathing method, which involves inhaling, holding, exhaling, and holding again for equal counts, as a simple and effective technique. They also recommend taking time out daily for breath work, which can aid in relaxation and support the autonomic nervous system.