Masking Resources

Here is the email response I got from a doctor who had found a resource for the masks that are used in “re-breathing”. I put it here because it has in it the very strong opinion of another doctor who is aware of the technique.

Hello, Dana,

Thanks for your email. I am attaching the information that I have.

Disclaimer: I need to advise you that this is not intended to diagnose or give treatment, and I encourage you to ask the families who may try this to keep in touch with the practitioners who recommend this technique.

Dana, it was great to meet you and the others at the Autism 2008 event. I deeply appreciate what Dietrich is doing and am supporting the inclusion of his techniques in integrative medicine programs.

Please keep me on your email newsletter list! Best of wishes always,

- Awesome doctor who attended Dr Klinghardt’s Autism Seminar

Breath Training Resources

This note regards possible use for an oxygen enhancement technique that is called 'masking'. It might be helpful for a variety of patients if they learn this technique that increases oxygenation, which is important for recovery from allergies and general health improvement. It is a good approach to breathing treatment that does not require all the intricacies of the Buteyko method and still delivers effective physiological support.

I called the Hudson respiratory company and the staff said that the Air Entrainment mask is what people use for that. Hudson RCI mask, item #1088: www.hudsonrci.com. 866-246-6990.

The information attached includes email and instruction page from a Developmental Movement Therapist that I used to know in Seattle who used the masking technique for her clients who have brain damage.

PS: The Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential ['IAHP' referred to below] has been secretive in the past with me, and [a neurodevelopmental therapist] confirmed that they will not be giving us clinically useful information if their organization does not get paid a lot of money.

From: ____

To: ---

Subject: Re: FYI about IAHP. FW: Masking

Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:01:11 -0700

Hi ---: The IAHP is a VERY CLOSED organization. They generally share nothing unless you have paid thousands of dollars for their initial seminar. They acknowledge the work of no one else, and if people train there they sign an agreement to do the work only at IAHP.

Of course many people have rebelled and left, including one of the original members, Florence Scott, who helped develop the chart of normal neurological development. If you call they will say they don't know who she is. They DO know who Florence Scott is. They just present it that way. Others have left the IAHP and now are running centers of their own. The IAHP does not recognize any of them. It's a shame as the work is too important to keep locked up in one institution in Philadelphia. I really don't deal with them, but with all the other amazing people around the world doing Developmental Movement work. You might want to look at the work of Barbara Pheloung in Australia at Move to Learn (Google). She's an amazing lady.

I agree with IAHP that the breathing technique should be done only if one's medical doctor has no objections, which is what I request of my own clients. The masking technique is contraindicated in cases of congestive heart disease or emphysema. If a family is determined to do the masking and they do not have a health condition that would contraindicate the therapy I leave it in their hands. However, it is a tremendously effective method for getting oxygen to the brain. CO2 is the best delivery system for getting more oxygen to the brain and by raising CO2 levels by 3 - 5 % as we do with the masking it increases delivery of oxygen to the brain by up to 75%. People who have had strokes do VERY well with the masking. If a person were to start masking within minutes of a stroke they could probably save a lot more brain cells. I believe this, plus the medical use of DMSO to stop brain swelling could have a tremendous effect overall and reduce losses to strokes by a huge percentage. Of course, both of these are alternative approaches, so I can't see it happening anytime soon. Stroke survivors also need the whole range of neurodevelopmental stimulation techniques.

We use Hudson disposable oxygen masks, slightly altered, for the most effective masking. The paper bag deal is only for people who can't tolerate plastic. It is clumsy and difficult.

…

From the Internet: http://www.osit.no/vke.htm .

The Respiratory Masking Program: - The Reflex Mask:
(This program is for your brain-injured child only. NEVER introduce this program to any other person, child or adult)

Goals:

•To rapidly increase delivery of oxygen and food to the brain

•To increase the rate and depth of breathing

•To improve general physiology (e.g., sleep, digestion and elimination)

Duration of Mask:

30 seconds of deep breathing

Frequency of Mask:

45 times daily or more

Minimum interval between masks:

4-5 minutes

For seizures, the interval between the Reflex Masks may be decreased to 1 minutes at leased 10 times

The Oxygen Enrichment Program:
Vegard inhales a mixture of 20 % Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and 80 % Oxygen(O2) through a mask, 18 sessions a day of 5-35 seconds daily. Starting with 5 seconds each session and building up to 35 with an increase of 5 seconds each 5 days. This program creates instant deep breathing.

Goals:

•To improve vision

•To improve looseness

•To improve language

•To improve mobility

Duration of Mask:

Start with 5 seconds, increase 5 seconds every 5 days until 35 seconds each session.

Frequency of Mask:

18 times daily

Minimum interval between masks:

10 minutes

Intensity: