George Catlin, an American born 1796, is famous for his remarkable record in paintings and notes of native Indians though his great genius has been almost ignored till recent years. In his book entitled “Shut Your Mouth & Save Your Life” written in 1870 he details his assertions that the bad habit of modern man of mouth breathing was the cause of much of his disease and disfigurement. This was based on his close observation and questioning of thousands of native Indians & white immigrants.

It has taken almost one and a half centuries for modern research in medicine to recognise the validity of this concept. Today there is a growing number of specialist orthodontists and health workers who say the same thing based on sound scientific evidence.

On 5th October 2012 there was a Conference in New York of American Association of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry discussing this association. Since then an increasing number of orthodontists are adding breath training to their regular practice services, especially with young children whilst their cranial structures are developing. You may like to read the blog “Beautiful children breathe through their nose” on the website referred to below.

Shut Your Mouth & Save Your Life

Much of the success of the Buteyko Method of training is due to the elimination of mouth breathing, advice against over-eating, the encouragement of more physical exercise and advice on quality sleeping. The ideas are so simple to teach or learn that they have been dismissed by mainstream medicine that increasingly puts its faith (yes, I use the word “faith” intentionally) in drug therapy or other intensive medical interventions.

The truth is there is little profit to be made from simple remedial systems that could threaten the profitability of our international pharmaceutical companies and the vast industry built on the management of disease, if the public were better informed of their existence.

Visit our main site www.buteykokent.co.uk for more information & perhaps you might like to download George Catlin’s book at www.members.westnet.com.au/pkolb/indians.pdf Bear in mind it was written almost 150 years ago, and you may find the style of writing strange however bear with it as it contains a wealth of thought provoking material. Meanwhile “Shut Your Mouth & start on the road to better health!”

Michael Lingard BSc DO BBEC lingard@buteykokent.co.uk