Managing Body Distress in the Control of Severe Asthma

Abstract

This article provides clinicians with a patient-centered framework for the recognition and management of body distress within severe asthma patients who remain uncontrolled despite treatment with standard medical therapy. Body distress is offered as a mind–body concept with origins in psychobiological patient characteristics that are generally not identified as contributing directly to uncontrolled asthma. Dysfunctional breathing can be viewed as a proxy for these patient variables. Effortless or relaxed breathing can be used to guide the reduction of body distress from healing sensations throughout the entire body and support a larger goal of using the least amount of medication possible.