As part of this month’s Physiopedia Members learn topic we had the pleasure to record a fascinating 50 minute interview with Leon Chaitow about the very important but not widely understood subject of breathing disorders. These are breathing dysfunctions (as opposed to breathing pathologies such as COPD etc) that affect a significant and potentially growing proportion of the population and can often led to muscloskeletal symptoms.
In this interview Leon describes how he was made aware of these problems through a very personal experience of the extremely serious symptoms such a breathing disorder can cause. He goes on talk about his latest book on this topic and to highlight the importance for physical therapists/physiotherapists to recognise patients with breathing disorders, to educate their patients about how poor breathing can cause and exacerbate other symptoms and also to offer appropriate treatment and advice.
Leon Chaitow ND, DO graduated from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1960. Since 1983 he has been a visiting lecturer at numerous chiropractic, physiotherapy, osteopathic, naturopathic and massage schools in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia. He is author/editor of over 70 books and is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies.
Listen to the interview with Leon Chaitow
Other useful links
- Leon Chaitow’s website
- Website containing videos to go with the book – Recognizing and Treating Breathing Pattern Disorders
- Clinical interest group for physiotherapists interested in hyperventilation
- Breathing Pattern Disorders on Physiopedia
- Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies