Brisbane. – The controversial asthma breathing techniques advocated by 90-year-old Russian-born asthma expert Dr Alexander James, of Wollongong, have proved successful with Brisbane children.
Intensive physiotherapy given daily since February on children suffering from asthma at the Montrose and Xavier homes in Brisbane, have led to “considerable improvement.”
The Medical Officer for the Queensland Asthma Foundation, Dr Noel Ure, reported the success in the foundation’s annual report.
Dr Ure was sent by the Queensland Asthma Foundation to Wollongong last year to study Dr James’ techniques.
In his report, Dr Ure reported a substantial decrease in the use of drug therapy after the introduction of the intensive physiotherapy treatment.
He said at the same time the exercises were introduced, children were advised to breathe naturally through their noses.
“We found this rather difficult to do, because many of them did have obstruction in their noses, and many of them required ear, nose and throat treatment. But the majority of them co-operated, and as we went along, we found we were getting improved results.” Dr Ure said.
By spending time teaching individual children to breathe in a more natural fashion and in a way to combat wheezing, drug requirements fell.
Dr Ure said he hoped an assessment clinic for asthma patients could be set up to allow general practitioners to refer their asthma patients for this new method.