go,' says Nikki 'But how was I going to do that without my asthma getting out of
control? My Uncle died as a result of asthma during the war, so I was very aware
of the dangers of asthma. I had heard about Buteyko from my mother-in-law a few
years before and decided I had to give it a try for the sake of my career and
my health.' Nikki learnt the Buteyko method in 2001 and has never looked back
since. 'Prior to Buteyko I was taking 16 puffs of Becloforte, 4-8 puffs of Serevent,
approximately 20 puffs of Ventolin, Singulair tablets and anti-histamine
sprays and tablets every day! Within the first 24-48 hours I stopped using Ventolin
and Serevent and within months I was able to come off my inhaled steroids
and Singulair tablets too. I have not had an asthma attack since! Previously I
had been admitted to casualty with many asthma attacks requiring a nebuliser and
had regular prescriptions for the oral steroid Prednisolone too.' The turnaround
in Nikki's health was astounding but not uncommon for people learning the
Buteyko Method and Nikki and Simon knew they had to take action to make
the method available to others. In 2003, they travelled to London and Glasgow
for their rigorous Practitioner training and in early 2004, Buteyko Breathing
& Health Practice was launched. So far Nikki and Simon have taught the Buteyko method
to about 1000 sufferers with equally encouraging results. 'People who are really
sick with asthma and other disorders recover within days when they apply the
method. It is so rewarding to see people take control of their own health and
overcome their symptoms without relying upon medications. To think I learnt Buteyko
so I could save my singing career and now I have a new career! I miss singing
but empowering others with Buteyko is my priority now.'
In 2005,
Nikki and Simon were commisioned by the NHS to conduct a clinical pilot study
of their teaching of The Buteyko Method, based on financial benefits and health
improvements for patients. The study showed fantastic money saving potential
for the NHS and tax payers, with predicted savings of nearly £270 million
(£270,000,000 per year! The publication of this study made national news
headlines in June 2006. You can view the BBC Website news story covering
this now by clicking here. Following this study, Nikki and Simon are now under contract by NHS GPs to
undertake further Buteyko Breathing Retraining Courses for selected practices. |
