Background: Tess has a Bachelor of Science (Anatomy), Post Graduate Diploma Physiotherapy and Diploma Buteyko Method. She has 30 years clinical practice in the Buteyko Method of Breathing Retraining. She has extensive experience in working with breathing pattern disorders, hyperventilation and other forms of dysfunctional breathing. Tess was a member of the research team for the Western world’s first clinical trial of the Buteyko Method for Asthma-Brisbane. (Published MJA 1998.)
Tess developed her unique style of breathing retraining – the "BreatheAbility" approach – and has delivered breathing retraining to over 6000 people. She has been an invited speaker at medical and allied health conferences world-wide.
After I graduated and began working as a physiotherapist, I started to question the rising incidence of breathing-related disorders - initially of asthma, and later of snoring and sleep apnoea. I also questioned why, at least in the early stages after diagnosis, some people could be free of the symptoms of these conditions for days or weeks or even months at times, and then the symptoms could come back - sometimes without an obvious trigger.
I also noticed that deep breathing exercises may produce coughing, dizziness, and fatigue in some hospital patients. Adjusting the way I taught breathing exercises improved outcomes, but it wasn't until years later that I understood the science behind these responses.
When two of my children developed asthma, I was very concerned.
I did extensive research around asthma and eventually I found the work and research of medical doctor and researcher, Professor Konstantin Buteyko, who offered a common sense and physiologically sound explanation to what I had observed and questioned. In addition he had developed a method - the Buteyko Method of Breathing Retraining - that addressed a fundamental cause of asthma. My children benefited enormously from learning to breathe better.
Tess Graham is greatly indebted to the pioneering work of Ukrainian-born medical doctor and research scientist, Professor Konstantin Buteyko. His discoveries of the physiological processes occurring in asthma and other breathing-related disorders were the explanations she was looking for, and the method of breathing retraining he developed to restore physiological normal breathing and function (the Buteyko Method) was profoundly successful.
Not only did my children benefit enormously from learning to breathe better, I saw the broad potential of breathing retraining to help not only people with asthma but also those with anxiety, panic disorders, snoring, sleep disorders, nasal problems, mouth breathing, breathlessness, and those seeking improved capacity for exercise. I became accredited in the Buteyko Method of breathing retraining (Dip. Buteyko Method) including doing advanced training with Professor Buteyko, and established Australia’s first dedicated breathing clinic in 1993 in Canberra, Australia.
Thus began a 30-year career dedicated to breathing retraining where I’ve now delivered training to over 6000 people. Used as part of a comprehensive approach, and complementary to medical treatment, these techniques and physiological understanding may help reduce or eliminate symptoms through getting ‘everyday’ breathing right. Good breathing is foundational to good health.
It is my sincere wish that many more people will know what good breathing really is, (it is NOT “deep breathing” or “belly breathing”!) and how to achieve it and go on to enjoy a fuller richer healthier life.
BREATHEABILITY BREATHING RETRAINING
Over the years, Tess further developed the art of breathing retraining, creating her own unique style that is consistently effective while being easy, comfortable, doable for busy people and the highly anxious, and requires no equipment. It’s the BreatheAbility approach.
Tess has now delivered breathing retraining to over 6000 people. This included developing a Sports Performance Enhancement program and working with many elite athletes.
She has been an invited speaker at medical, paediatric, dental, sleep, sports and health conferences in AUS, NZ, US, UK & Taiwan. Tess has given countless lectures, workshops, and media interviews throughout her career, including for the ground-breaking BBC documentary – Breathless. She is the author of two books and many articles.
Tess Graham was part of the research team for a clinical trial of the Buteyko Method in Australia with people suffering from chronic asthma. The “Buteyko Group” were taught the Buteyko Method; the “Control Group” were taught a standard physiotherapy breathing and asthma management approach. Both groups were followed up for three months. Medication changes were made under medical direction and supervision.
‘Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a controlled trial’. Bowler SD. MJA. 1998; 169: 575–578 .
Here is a summary of the significant results at the 3 month review endpoint.
Minute Volume MV = Litres breathed per minute
Trial subjects averaged
14L/minute at rest.
(Normal minute volume is 4-6 L/min.)
Chronic overbreathing was found in all subjects of both groups.
71% median reduction in symptoms
96% median reduction in daily β2‐agonist (bronchodilator) use
49% reduction in daily inhaled steroid use
A statistically significant correlation between reduction in MV and reduction in need for bronchodilater medication
No significant change in any parameter.
COURSES AND RESOURCES
From 2005, Tess expanded her focus from clinical practice to the creation of self-help and health professional resources to make knowledge and skills around breathing training more widely available throughout the world. She established BreatheAbility International and the BreatheAbility® for Health resources. These resources include:
Books | The BreatheAway Online Breathing Course | Health Professional Training and Mentoring programs.
To inquire about health professional resources or booking Tess Graham to speak at your event, send an email message to Tess@BreatheAbility.com
PLEASE include your Phone Number, Country and State.