Breathing exercises may help some adults with asthma feel better day to day, but they do not replace asthma medicine. A Cochrane review of 22 studies concluded that breathing exercises may have some positive effects on quality of life, hyperventilation symptoms and lung function, and it rated the certainty of that evidence from moderate to very low. This page explains what the review found, which techniques are taught, how to practice them safely, and when to use your quick-relief inhaler or call 911.
Do breathing exercises help asthma?
Possibly, in some ways. The most complete summary we found is a Cochrane review titled Breathing exercises for adults with asthma (Santino and colleagues, 2020). It looked at methods such as the Papworth method, Buteyko, yogic breathing and deep diaphragmatic breathing, and the update brought the total to 22 studies. (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020)
What the review found
- Quality of life: the meta-analysis favored breathing exercises at three months, and the summary of findings rates the certainty for that result as moderate. (Cochrane review)
- Overall conclusion: the authors wrote that “Breathing exercises may have some positive effects on quality of life, hyperventilation symptoms, and lung function.” (Cochrane review)
What it could not show
Results for asthma symptoms were inconclusive or similar to the comparison group. The studies did not report enough data to combine results for asthma attacks, and the review’s summary table lists no studies that reported hospitalizations or days off work. The authors also noted that incomplete reporting made it hard to judge the risk of bias, and they called for further studies with full descriptions of the treatment methods. (Cochrane review) In plain terms, breathing exercises look like a helpful extra for some people, not a proven way to prevent attacks.
Which breathing exercises are used for asthma?
The American Lung Association calls pursed-lip breathing and belly breathing the two most useful breathing exercises for people with chronic lung disease, and says they are taught to people with conditions such as asthma and COPD. (American Lung Association, Breathing Exercises) Other methods named in the Cochrane review include the Papworth method, Buteyko and yogic breathing.
Pursed-lip breathing
The American Lung Association describes it as breathing in slowly through your nose with your mouth closed, then puckering your lips as if you were going to whistle or gently blow out a candle and breathing out longer than you breathed in, at least twice as long. (American Lung Association)
Belly (diaphragmatic) breathing
Close your mouth and take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, then breathe out through your mouth at least two to three times as long as your inhale. (American Lung Association) For more on what to do when breathlessness hits, read our guide to what to do when you feel short of breath.
How do you practice breathing exercises safely with asthma?
These points come from the sources below and are general. Your own plan may differ.
- Learn the exercises when you are breathing comfortably. The American Lung Association says you do not want to first try them when you are short of breath. (American Lung Association)
- Practice about 5 to 10 minutes a day, which is the amount the American Lung Association suggests for pursed-lip and belly breathing. (American Lung Association)
- Keep your quick-relief inhaler within reach. If you have chest pain or tightness, coughing or shortness of breath during activity, the American Lung Association says to stop right away and take your quick-relief inhaler. (American Lung Association, Asthma and Exercise)
- Work with your health care provider on your treatment plan. MedlinePlus says you will work with your provider to create a plan for managing symptoms and preventing attacks. (MedlinePlus, Asthma)
- Tell your provider which exercises you are trying so they can fit them into your plan.
Call 911 if
MedlinePlus says to call 911 or the local emergency number right away if you are having trouble walking or talking because it is so hard to breathe, you are hunching over, your lips or fingernails are blue or gray, or you are confused or less responsive than usual. (MedlinePlus, Signs of an asthma attack) The American Lung Association adds that if you continue to be short of breath, you should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. (American Lung Association)
Can breathing exercises replace asthma medicine?
No. Breathing exercises are not a replacement for the controller or quick-relief medicine your provider prescribed, and you should never skip or change a medicine because you are practicing breathing techniques. Think of them as a skill that works alongside your treatment plan.
Where does pulmonary rehab fit for asthma?
Learning a breathing technique from a video or an article is a start. Some people with moderate to severe asthma want someone to check their technique, pace their exercise and help them build confidence. That is what a supervised program adds. Bloom Medical Group provides one-on-one virtual pulmonary rehab for adults, live by video, with sessions run by licensed respiratory therapists and clinical exercise physiologists, billed to commercial insurance. It is built for adults with COPD, moderate to severe asthma, ILD or long COVID. Our page on pulmonary rehab for severe asthma goes deeper, and pulmonary rehab versus exercising on your own compares the two approaches. Curious what a visit looks like? See what happens in a pulmonary rehab session.
You will need a referral from the doctor treating your lung condition. Our pages explain how to get a referral and whether insurance covers pulmonary rehab. Every rehab session is one on one, and Bloom is not able to accept Medicare at this time.
Frequently asked questions
A Cochrane review of 22 studies concluded that breathing exercises may have some positive effects on quality of life, hyperventilation symptoms and lung function. The certainty of the evidence ranged from moderate to very low, and results for asthma symptoms were inconclusive.
The review did not name one best method. The American Lung Association calls pursed-lip breathing and belly breathing the two most useful breathing exercises for people with chronic lung disease, and suggests practicing about 5 to 10 minutes a day.
No. Breathing exercises are not a replacement for prescribed asthma medicine. If you have chest pain or tightness, coughing or shortness of breath, the American Lung Association says to stop what you are doing and take your quick-relief inhaler.
Learn them when you are breathing comfortably. During an attack, follow your asthma action plan and use your quick-relief medicine. MedlinePlus says to call 911 if you are having trouble walking or talking, are hunching over, have blue or gray lips or fingernails, or are confused.
For adults with moderate to severe asthma, a supervised program can teach breathing techniques, pace exercise and build confidence. Bloom provides one-on-one virtual pulmonary rehab with licensed respiratory therapists and clinical exercise physiologists, billed to commercial insurance. Call 1-866-972-8228 to check your plan.
Next step
Not sure whether rehab fits you? Take our free 2 minute lung health assessment.
Ready to find out if you qualify? Call Bloom Medical Group at 1-866-972-8228 or fill in the see if you qualify form. One-on-one virtual pulmonary rehab with licensed respiratory therapists and clinical exercise physiologists, billed to commercial insurance.
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about what is right for you.
Sources
- Santino TA, et al. Breathing exercises for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD001277.pub4
- American Lung Association. Breathing Exercises for Better Lung Health
- American Lung Association. Asthma and Exercise
- MedlinePlus. Signs of an asthma attack
- MedlinePlus. Asthma
