The
breakthrough is therapeutic breathing and it's proving to be the most
promising high blood pressure treatment since the development of modern
medicine. In fact, it's the first and only all-natural method
clinically proven and recognized by the medical profession.
At least seven separate and independent clinical trials reveal that
breathing slowly and deeply for 10 to 15 minutes a day can produce
significant reductions in blood pressure. Reductions as high as 36
points systolic and 20 points diastolic have been documented. Averages
vary depending on numerous factors, but virtually anyone with any
degree of hypertension has something to gain from it. Naturally, those
with the highest pressure to begin with have the most to lose (or,
rather: to gain!).
What's
even more surprising is that lower blood pressure begins to last
throughout the day after only 4 to 6 weeks practicing therapeutic
breathing. The result is a significant and lasting drop in your blood
pressure. Many users have been able to either reduce or eliminate their
use of medications or even to avoid starting them altogether. (Of
course, any changes in medication must be under medical supervision.
Results
of the clinical trials have been published in numerous respected
medical journals. Also, therapeutic breathing is promoted and endorsed
by leading medical organizations including Harvard Medical School, The
Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins and The American Heart Association.
The
technique involves breathing slowly and deeply at a rate of less than
10 breaths per minute for 10 to 15 minutes a day. At the same time,
exhalation is prolonged to approximately twice the length of
inhalation. These two changes together produce optimum breathing for
lowering high blood pressure. Therapeutic breathing, however, will not
affect normal blood pressure.
Like
most things that really work, the explanation is very simple: Breathing
slowly and deeply relaxes muscle tension, especially in the chest area,
which allows blood vessels to open up and relieve pressure on the
heart. It literally takes a load off your chest! This is the same
mechanism targeted by drugs - but without any side effects.
Relaxation
is the third essential element - no, the key element - sometimes
overlooked. The method is only beneficial when done in a state of deep
relaxation. This may sound easy but it's really very difficult, as
anyone who's tried to relax while concentrating on breathing can
confirm. What's more, trying to use therapeutic breathing incorrectly
can tense you up and actually increase your blood pressure.
Various
methods have been developed to overcome this difficulty. The most
effective of these is called Breathing with Interactive Music. This
method uses music for relaxation while guiding your breathing into the
so-called therapeutic zone. Rarely has such an effective medical
treatment been so easy and enjoyable!
Yet, despite being hailed a breakthrough on national TV news networks
and in major newspapers and magazines across the world, it still
appears to be largely unknown. Producers of the leading therapeutic
breathing devices claim only tens of thousands of successful customers.
That may seem like a large number (and it certainly supports claims of
effectiveness) but when you consider the tens of millions of
hypertension sufferers in the US alone it's just a tiny fraction of the
potential.
New developments apply this amazing method in even easier, more
enjoyable and affordable ways. Perhaps as the word slowly gets out
about therapeutic breathing it will win the widespread recognition it
deserves. Even more importantly, it could prove to be the answer to the
blood pressure worries of millions.
