I often have parents come into the clinic saying, “My child just can’t breathe through their nose, no matter what I try!”
These are the same children who toss and turn all night, wake up tired, and struggle to focus during the day. Sound familiar?
My secret weapon beyond myofunctional therapy for these children? Buteyko Breathing.
What Is Buteyko Breathing
Buteyko Breathing is a method of breathing exercises designed to improve respiratory health and restore natural nasal breathing patterns.
It was developed in 1952 by Ukrainian physician Dr. Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko. The method focuses on helping the body breathe through the nose quietly, efficiently, and calmly.
Through specific exercises, it can help reduce nasal congestion, calm the nervous system, and improve oxygen exchange and airway function.
It’s gentle, evidence-based, and pairs beautifully with myofunctional therapy for even better results.
Why It Matters
As I’ve shared in many of my blog posts, mouth breathing and shallow breathing can impact nearly every system in the body. Buteyko Breathing helps retrain the system to work the way it was designed.
Here’s what we often see improve:
- Airway function: Better nasal airflow and less congestion over time
- Sleep: Deeper rest, reduced snoring, and fewer signs of sleep-disordered breathing
- Behavior and focus: Improved oxygenation supports emotional regulation and attention
What Treatment Looks Like
Buteyko Breathing uses a series of gentle, progressive breathing exercises to help retrain breathing patterns through small, sustainable changes.
It often begins with:
- Awareness – noticing current breathing habits
- Nasal breathing restoration – learning to breathe quietly through the nose
- Reduced breathing volume – encouraging light, slow breathing
- Diaphragmatic activation – shifting breathing from the upper chest to the diaphragm
- Integration – combining Buteyko with myofunctional therapy for long-term results
This step-by-step approach can make a dramatic difference, especially when paired with other airway and oral function support.
When to Refer (Red Flags)
Consider referring for an airway or Buteyko evaluation if you notice:
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Snoring, sleep-disordered breathing, or apnea
- Persistent nasal congestion
- Allergies
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Behavior or focus changes linked to poor sleep
- Low endurance or fatigue during normal activities
Myths vs. Facts
Myth: Buteyko Breathing is just yoga or deep breathing.
Fact: Not even close. Buteyko focuses on gentle, light nasal breathing, not deep chest expansion. The goal is to restore natural oxygen balance, not over-breathe.
Myth: It’s only for adults with asthma.
Fact: While it’s well-known for helping those with asthma, Buteyko Breathing also benefits children and adults with mouth breathing, poor sleep, or airway concerns.
FAQ
How is Buteyko Breathing different from myofunctional therapy?
They complement each other beautifully. Buteyko focuses on how you breathe, while myofunctional therapy focuses on what your oral muscles are doing as you breathe, speak, and swallow.
Can children do Buteyko Breathing training?
Yes. As long as a child can follow simple directions, they can benefit from Buteyko Breathing exercises.
How long does Buteyko Breathing training take?
It depends on the individual. Some see progress within weeks, while others may need several months to retrain their breathing patterns and integrate new habits.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’d like to confidently integrate Buteyko Breathing and airway training into your sessions, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Join The Myo Membership®:
- Live mentorship and expert-led office hours
- Access to HallieAI, your on-demand clinical support tool
- Practical, case-based training you can apply right away
Together, we’ll help you guide your clients and their families toward better breathing, better sleep, and better overall health.
Because when breathing improves, everything else follows: focus, sleep, energy, and quality of life.
