An introduction to the emerging field of respiratory psychology for professionals in any branch of the healing professions, synthesizing the knowledge of how emotions may inhibit breathing. Focuses on the clinical aspects of hyperventilation syndrome and panic attacks. The therapies explained range from the physical to the behavioral, the cognitive, and the psychodynamic. The editors are also involved in plans to form an international society (with journal) of respiratory psychology. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

We start life with a breath, and the process continues automatically for the rest of our lives. Because breathing continues on its own, without our awareness, it does not necessarily mean that it is always functioning for optimum mental and physical health. The opposite is true often. The problem with breathing is that it seems so easy and natural that we rarely give it a second thought. We breathe: we inhale, we exhale. What could be simpler? But behind that simple act lies a process that affects us profoundly. It affects the way we think and feel, the quality of what we create, and how we function in our daily life. Breathing affects our psychological and physiological states, while our psychological states affect the pattern of our breathing. For example, when anxious, we tend to hold our breath and speak at the end of inspiration in a high-pitched voice. Depressed people tend to sigh and speak at the end of expiration in a low-toned voice. A child having a temper tantrum holds his or her breath until blue in the face. Hyperven tilation causes not only anxiety but also such a variety of symptoms that patients can go from one specialty department to another until a wise clinician spots the abnormal breathing pattern and the patient is successfully trained to shift from maladaptive to normal breathing behavior.

Series foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Understanding the respiratory system and chronic respiratory diseases -- Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary disease -- Environmental, social, and genetic influences on chronic respiratory disease -- Psychological evaluation of pulmonary patients -- Adjustment -- Anxiety -- Depression -- Tobacco and other inhaled substances -- Family challenges and social support -- End of life -- Ethics and professional issues -- References -- Index -- About the author -- About the series editor.

As a physiological or biological matter, breath is mostly considered to be mechanical and thoughtless. By expanding on the insights of many religions and therapeutic practices, which emphasize the cultivation of breath, the contributors argue that breath should be understood as fundamentally and comprehensively intertwined with human life and experience. Various dimensions of the respiratory world are referred to as "atmospheres" that encircle and connect human existence, coexistence, and the world. Drawing from a number of traditions of breathing, including from Indian and East Asian religion and philosophy, the book considers breath in relation to ontological, hermeneutical, phenomenological, ethical, and aesthetic concerns in philosophy. The wide-ranging topics include poetry, theater, environmental issues and health, feminism, and media studies.

Many patients with pulmonary complaints fail to improve despite physicians’ best efforts. Sometimes, we ascribe this failure to lack of adherence with therapy, or to the severity of the condition. What we often fail to appreciate, however, is that sometimes the lack of improvement can be explained by the patients' psychological states. The first section of Functional Respiratory Disorders: When Respiratory Symptoms Do Not Respond to Pulmonary Treatment will help clinicians recognize functional respiratory symptoms that can arise as a result of both organic and psychological causes. The second section of this book provides detailed discussions of such disorders, links to video examples of laryngoscopic evaluation of patients with vocal cord issues, case studies and quizzes. Examples and exercises that should strengthen the clinician’s confidence in identifying and treating these functional conditions are also provided. Finally, the third section of the book will help the clinician differentiate the patients for whom referral to a mental health provider is mandatory from those for whom other approaches may be useful. For the latter group, the book teaches clinicians to empower themselves by learning how to incorporate various therapies for functional disorders into their practice, including biofeedback, breathing techniques, basic cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, and hypnosis. Links are provided to instructive video examples of biofeedback, hypnosis, and speech therapy. Practical strategies for obtaining training in these modalities are provided in the appendix. Functional Respiratory Disorders: When Respiratory Symptoms Do Not Respond to Pulmonary Treatment is an important new book that will help clinicians consider the possible impact of functional contributions to the clinical presentation of every patient with respiratory symptoms and identified respiratory disease.

NOSES ARE FOR BREATHING, MOUTHS ARE FOR EATING “Many people believe that taking a deep breath increases body oxygenation. The opposite is the case.” — Patrick McKeown, bestselling author of The Oxygen Advantage Imagine a breathing technique that can increase oxygen uptake and delivery to the cells, improve blood circulation, and unblock the nose. Perhaps it can help open the airways of the lungs, enhance blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, improve sleep and bring calmness to the mind. It might even restore bodily functions disturbed by stress, build greater resilience and help you to live longer. You might think this description sounds farfetched. But it isn’t. The Breathing Cure will guide you through techniques that embody the key to healthy breathing and healthy living. McKeown’s goal is to enable you to take responsibility for your own health, to prevent and significantly reduce a number of common ailments, to help you realize your potential and to offer simple, scientifically-based ways to change your breathing habits. On a day-to-day basis, you will experience an increase in energy and concentration, an enhanced ability to deal with stress and a better quality of life. The essential guide to functional breathing, learn techniques tried and tested by Olympic athletes and elite military. Clear your blocked nose, stress and relax your nervous system, improve lung function, prepare for competition and more. For use at home, in professional/amateur sports, by breathing instructors, dentists, doctors, physical therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, Pilates and yoga teachers, and anyone interested in health and fitness – from everyday wellbeing through to sporting excellence. Breathe Light: experience optimal blood circulation, peak oxygenation, maximal exercise performance, relief from respiratory symptoms and the best sleep you ever had. Breathe Slow: stress is a risk factor in 75 to 90 percent of all human diseases. Discover and apply the breathing rate scientifically proven to stimulate relaxation, reduce high blood pressure, boost your immune system, maximize HRV and improve blood glucose control. Breathe Deep: physical and emotional balance comes from within. Learn how to strengthen your diaphragm muscle to achieve greater endurance and resilience, calmness of mind, focused concentration and ease of movement. From the bestselling author of The Oxygen Advantage, The Breathing Cure: Exercises to Develop New Breathing Habits for a Healthier, Happier, and Longer Life covers new, ground-breaking topics such as how breathing techniques can support functional movement of the muscles and joints; improve debilitating conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, lower back pain, PMS and high blood pressure; how the nasal breathing technique can be a weapon against influenza and related infections especially Covid-19; and last but not least, help you to enjoy deeper sleep and improved intimacy. Tap into your innate resilience. Fire up your potential. Enhance your health. BREATHE BETTER NOW!

This authoritative, research-based book, written by a team of clinical experts, offers an introduction to the symptoms and causes of disordered breathing as well as the strategies and protocols that can be used to correct and restore normal breathing. Multidisciplinary Approaches to Breathing Pattern Disorders guides readers through a discussion of the current research that links disordered breathing patterns with perceived pain levels, fatigue, stress and anxiety. Basic mechanics, physiology, and biochemistry of normal breathing are outlined to lay a foundation for understanding causes and mechanics of disordered breathing. Self-help strategies with charts and workbook pages that may be photocopied as handouts are designed to help patients overcome specific breathing problems. "...this second edition is particularly outstanding, providing a good basis of practical hands-on techniques, well supported by pictures and the website, and giving specific focus on sports, speech and chronic pain." Reviewed by Janet Rowley on behalf of the New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, January 2015 "..a fantastic resource which will help students, clinicians, and physiotherapists to carry out effective evaluation and treatment in an acute care setting." Reviewed by Poonam Mehta on behalf of the New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, January 2015 Written by an international team of highly experienced clinicians in the field Addresses all the most effective aspects of therapy - physiotherapy, psychotherapy, osteopathy Includes an introduction to the understanding of the mechanics, physiology and biochemistry of normal breathing Includes self-help measures with charts and workbook material which may be photocopied for using with the patients Video clips on an associated website presents practical examples of the breathing techniques discussed in the book Includes the latest protocols on breathing rehabilitation Includes specialist chapters on breathing dysfunction associated with pain syndromes such as pain of pelvic origin and other unexplained medical conditions Discusses the use of capnography in assessment and rehabilitation Includes discussion of Vojta/Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Therapy