[Respiratory therapy in childhood asthma. Part 2. Eutonic training]

Children with obstruction mainly due to spasms of bronchial smooth muscle will benefit most from breathing exercises. Attainment of the individual physiological balance of muscular, nervous and psychogenic tensions--the eutonic tension--is of great importance for control of regular unhurried breathing. This will be supported by stimulation of nasal breathing which increases diaphragmatic excursion. The eutonic state is the fundamental basis for success of chest rotations and rhythmic movements to stimulate further relaxation. Awareness of the fact that breaths come by themselves -- "automatically" -- reduces anxiety of shortness of breath. Observations of a group of asthmatic children in a summer camp support this form of treatment of asthma.