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So here we had a Russian who could barely speak English, so had little hope of conducting a complex argument on physiology. Although not a doctor, he succeeded where they had failed. It was not a good start. Professional resentment was inevitable. After all, these were eminent figures, experts in their own fields. How could they have been so wrong?
The implications were damning. In order to recognise Buteyko’s theory, they had to question their own work. Worse, they had to admit that there was a possibility that some of the treatments they had advocated might even have harmed their patients. This would have been very difficult for them to accept.
Instead, evidence gained from successful clinical trials of the Buteyko Method was discredited and solutions offered by the pharmaceutical companies were embraced. The drugs were very effective in the short term, thus giving credence to both the drug companies and the doctors themselves. People took the drugs they were prescribed and – hey presto – they were cured! It was just bad luck if they had a relapse later. Anyway, it didn’t matter all that much because the doctor had an even better drug lined up for next time.
Together the drug companies and the medical profession make a formidable adversary. It’s asking a lot for a few Buteyko practitioners to make their voices heard, even if what they say is true. There is now a huge asthma ‘industry’ comprising of doctors, nurses and those who work in the drug industry, from chemists and laboratory technicians to clerical staff and managing directors. There are lung function laboratories in almost every hospital, complete with personnel, along with those who manufacture and service the high tech equipment required to measure the deterioration of asthma patients.
It’s funded in the main by the NHS and has enormous political implications. If the number of asthma sufferers suddenly dwindled it’s possible that the services of this huge conglomerate would no longer be required. Livelihoods would be put at risk. It’s hardly surprising that nobody in the ‘industry’ wants to hear the truth.
This is not a new situation. It happened when the tobacco industry was defending its corner. First the suggestion was that cigarettes couldn’t be all that bad for you. This was a tempting argument. Cigarettes were such a part of life that it seemed impossible that the innocent little fashion accessories were dangerous. Then, when they could no longer get away with this, we were asked to consider the employees of the industry. We were supposed to worry about their jobs. The bottom line is the same for both tobacco and drugs. What about the victims?
Is ‘victim’ too strong a word? I don’t think so. When you see what happens to people who follow the chemical route, ‘victim’ is a term that springs easily to mind. People have blind faith in the medical profession. They put their lives, and the lives of their children, into the hands of those they feel to be better qualified to care for them than they are themselves.
For the vast majority of illnesses, this is true. Sadly, it has become obvious that asthma is an exception. If it wasn’t, it would not be possible to first halt, then reverse what is accepted as the inevitable course of the disease. I have done that, and have helped many others do it too.
Although the biochemistry and physiology involved may be quite complex, teaching the method itself is straightforward. It’s just a matter of using proven techniques to help people modify their breathing patterns and learn to breathe normally. Once they do this, their asthma seems to improve miraculously and in many instances it disappears completely.
The method is relatively cheap. The whole asthma ‘industry’ could be virtually replaced by a few Buteyko trainers, keeping only a remnant of it for emergencies. While this might sound simplistic, it is feasible. Patients can be taught in classes of ten or more and in just one week they can make so much progress that they need only a fraction of the medication they had previously required.
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