Functional breathing pattern disorders (BPD - the extreme of which is hyperventilation) disturb the biochemistry of the body, often leading to respiratory alkalosis. They are extremely common, mainly affecting women and frequently go unrecognized by clinicians. Research shows that BPDs can be responsible for causing, or helping to maintain, a vast range of symptoms including muscular pain (particularly involving the thorax and neck area), inefficient motor control, reduced core stability, tremors, and tetany, feelings of anxiety, easy fatiguability, sleep disturbances, dysphagia, epigastric pain, IBS, parasthesia, palpitations, dizziness, disturbed vision, and a variety of circulatory symptoms resulting from smooth muscle constriction. BPDs are easily tested for and - with patient cooperation - are commonly correctable via a combination of manual therapy and breathing rehabilitation strategies.

.. .this far-reaching book covers everything one would wish to learn about breathing pattern disorders - I feel it is an essential source of reference and information to all health professionals working in this area...I would urge everyone interested in the subject to place an order... Anne Pitman MCSP SRP, Manual Therapy, October 2002

The whole book is well illustrated and referenced, provides practical case examples and sensible cautions..I cannot think of anything they have left out.?

Ashley Conway. Journal of Holistic Healthcare: Volume 4 Issue 4 November 2007

Leon Chaitow ND DO is an internationally known and respected osteopathic and naturopathic practitioner and teacher of soft tissue manipulation methods of treatment. He is author of over 60 books, including a series on Advanced Soft Tissue Manipulation (Muscle Energy Techniques, Positional Release Techniques, Modern Neuromuscular Techniques) and also Palpation Skills; Cranial Manipulation: Theory and Practice; Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Practitioner's Guide to Treatment, and many more. He is editor of the peer reviewed Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, that offers a multidisciplinary perspective on physical methods of patient care. Leon Chaitow was for many years senior lecturer on the Therapeutic Bodywork degree courses which he helped to design at the School of Integrated Health, University of Westminster, London, where is he now an Honorary Fellow. He continues to teach and practice part-time in London, when not in Corfu, Greece where he focuses on his writing.