The Buteyko method has already brought relief to asthma sufferers locally.

Perhaps Wendy Haddock's most noted success in this area is in the case of young Ayr mum Joyce Mathison.

Herself a trained physio at Ayr and Biggart Hospitals, Joyce had heard about the Buteyko method but had no idea how to get treatment. She was also worried about the cost involved.

Then came a breakthrough, when Wendy was invited to take an in-service training session for the physios at Ayr Hospital. Joyce learned she could spread the cost of the treatment, and signed up for a course at Wendy's base at Sanquhar back in February.

The results were remarkable. Joyce described this week how she had become severely affected by asthma since falling pregnant with her son Ross four years ago.

Speaking from her home in Hunters Avenue, she said: "When I was pregnant I suffered a very bad asthma attack and had to go into hospital. My asthma became so bad thereafter that I could not walk to work, could not go dancing and could not even laugh without reaching for an inhaler."

"I was using more and more inhalers without anything really controlling what was happening to me."

"But the very first night after going to see Wendy at her workshop, I was able to put down my inhaler. And I haven't used it since." Joyce is careful to point out that her improvement in her health was not handed to her on a plate and describes the exercises involved in the Buteyko method as "very hard work."

But her parents and husband David have been amazed at the change in her health. And she is enjoying having a freedom back in her life which had disappeared. One of the main benefits is being able to hold Ross, now three, which she previously could not do for any length of time without becoming breathless.

There are also other advantages. Joyce says: "People at work see a big difference in me. I can have a laugh in the staff room without getting out of breath and can enjoy a night out with the girls."

"I can also enjoy a bar of chocolate without having to resort to my inhaler."

Although Joyce jokes about the fun benefits to be gained from mastering Buteyko, there is a more serious side to her own success story.

She explains: "When I am doing my job as a physio I come into contact with a lot of asthma sufferers. I feel very frustrated that I cannot show them Buteyko as I am not qualified and the method is not fully accepted by the medical profession."

"All I can do is tell them how it helped me and let them know that help is available. But I feel more should be known about the benefits this can have."

---

Back to news and links

Back to home page

---