IF you think of asthma, you probably think inhalers. But one Worcestershire woman has found an alternative way to be in control her condition - and it just involves learning how to breathe correctly.

A seemingly endless supply of inhalers are rattling around Magda Livingstone's Kempsey home.

After suffering from asthma for more than 15 years, the 64-year-old had tried several different types of medication in a bid to get her tight chest and coughing under control.

But to no avail.

"I had pneumonia in 1986 and coughed and coughed and coughed, but it wasn't until a few years later that I was diagnosed as having asthma," Magda said.

"Since then, I've been given various inhalers and steroids to try to get things under control.

"However, some of the drugs I was prescribed made me very shaky, so I was always swapping and changing to get the right combination.

"Nothing seemed to suit me and I was always looking for an alternative."

First Magda tried yoga as she heard that it would help enable her get in control of her breathing.

But the dusty school hall that it took place in only served to make her condition worse.

Then, six months ago, she heard about a special breathing re-training programme called Buteyko.

The Buteyko method is based on the clinical findings of Russian professor Konstantin Buteyko and aims to correct the dysfunctional breathing patterns that cause excessive allergic response.

It was discovered in the 1950s and proved so successful that it has been the first line of asthma management in the Russian health system for more than 20 years.

It has only been introduced in this country in recent years but a pilot study at West Cornwall Primary Care Trust in April 2005 resulted in it hitting the national headlines when the NHS GP who recorded the results of the patients involved announced the health service could save £270m a year if it was implemented nationally.

Magda said: "I had heard about Buteyko on the radio a while ago but I couldn't write anything down at the time and forgot all about it.

"Then I saw an article in the Worcester News stating that qualified coaches were coming to Worcester to introduce the method, so I went along. That was back in May and now I am in complete control of my asthma." Magda attended a four-day course with other asthma sufferers to learn the history of asthma and what can cause it. She was asked about what made her condition worse and was taught various techniques on controlling the symptoms.

"For instance, we were taught about the importance of breathing through your nose rather than your mouth, and were shown a series of exercises designed to allow a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood, which then stimulates the body to take up more oxygen and relieve the symptoms.

"I learned such a lot and it has worked extremely well.

"It's taken time to learn everything and I now have a list of exercises that I do every day."

Magda said she now has more energy and has taken up walking and even dancing classes.

"I'd certainly recommend the course," Magda said.

"I'm feeling great."

Simon Paddon and Nikki Jewell, who are two of only 100 specialists in the world who teach the Buteyko method and are coming to Worcester next week, said it can also benefit people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, bronchitis, panic attacks and sleep apnoea.

Mr Paddon said: "The traditional medical approach to a worsening breathing problem is to increase medication intake and many sufferers find they have no option but to do exactly that - until they come and see us.

"Then we work with them to control their symptoms and reduce medication."

Mr Paddon and Ms Jewell will be in Worcester at the Elgar Technology College on Bilford Road on Wednesday, November 29, with an evening of comprehensive breathing retraining.

To book a place, which costs £8, call 0845 456 4533 or visit www.asthma999.com for more information.

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO BEAT ASTHMA

RITA Davies, from Healing Touch Complementary Therapy Centre, Bath Road, Worcester, recommends a number of alternative therapies that can also help with asthma. * McTimoney chiropractic - gentle manipulation to correct the muscular-skeletal system and is good for freeing up chest tightness. * Cranial sacral osteopathy - uses very gentle manipulative pressure to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body and head. * Homeopathy - a powerful, effective therapy designed to stimulate the body's own power to heal itself. It recognises that the symptoms of ill health are expressions of dis-harmony within the whole person and that it is the patient who needs treatment, not the disease. It addresses the cause of the illness, rather then just relieving or suppressing the symptoms. * Aromatherapy - the therapeutic use of concentrated plant essences to relieve stress, enhance health and well-being, prevent problems and support the healing process. Ms Davies said: "We always work alongside GPs and advise people to continue their medication. "However, we have seen many patients reduce the amount of reliance on their inhalers and find that after exercise they are not having to use their inhalers as much. "We find it helps people to feel empowered and take control of their asthma rather than letting it control them." Call 01905 763481 for more.