Tetany in breathwork
respiratory alkalosis aka lobster claw hands!
What the heck is tetany and why do I get it?
In today’s blog we are moved to write a piece about respiratory alkalosis aka tetany, aka lobster claw hands!
As breath workers, we are increasingly interested in the science around the effects of rapidly oxygenating the body in a controlled way, such as one might experience in connected breathwork session.
Personally speaking (Steph here), my original interest was stirred when a student doctor came to one of my sessions and experienced quite severe tetany, one of the common side effects commonly framed before starting a session.
As a result of her experience and her interest in the physiological aspects of breath work, she emailed me about a week after the session, letting me know and that she had discovered that the more extreme experience of tetany usually arises as a result of significantly decreased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which in turn affect the albumin binding of calcium. This then creates a range of symptoms which many people experience in breathwork such as; tingling in the hands, feet, or around the month, tremors and shaking, severe cramps in the hands (tetany), numbness, muscle twitching and occasionally light nausea.
It’s always interested me that some people rarely or never experience this, whereas for others, the discomfort is often intolerable and very distressing. On reading more, I came to also consider the effects of diet and hydration on these levels in our ‘normal’ base rate balance of oxygen/carbon dioxide/calcium/bicarbonate levels in the blood, and the relational imbalance in electrolytes that may explain why for some people this side effect is worse than it is for others.
This balance can also be influenced and affected by existing health conditions, another reason why it is so crucial that breathwork facilitators are trained and fully aware of the contra-indications in these practices. Without having full awareness, the implications are potentially very serious.
Contra-indications for some breathwork practices may include: Existing heart conditions, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, unstable pregnancy, and epilepsy. Those with COPD are also advised to exercise caution.
It’s not all about reasons to be fearful though! The body does a great job of trying to rectify itself on a daily basis, and in healthy people, conscious connected breathing and other techniques (such as Wim Hof) have proven to be incredibly beneficial in creating powerful health benefits and lasting wellbeing through the ability to use the breath to access and improve immunity, and to release and heal sub-conscious somatic trauma.
Breathing within the context of a normal contained breathwork session will not create significant or prolonged problems for most people, in fact, the opposite is true and the benefits are well researched and documented. The body’s natural CO2/O2 balance returns to ‘normal’ within a short period of time after a breathwork session, leaving most people completely comfortable within ten minutes of returning to normal breathing patterns.
Here are some simple ways you can ensure that your electrolyte balance is good, which may help reduce the likelihood of experiencing the discomfort of respiratory alkalosis.
Eating a healthy diet, and staying hydrated make a difference. Choosing foods high in nutrients and potassium can help combat electrolyte deficiencies. Nutrients and potassium are primarily found in fruits and vegetables, as well as some other foods, such as:
carrots
bananas
dates & apricots
beans
spinach
broccoli
baked sweet potato/baked potato
bran
Steps you can take to prevent dehydration include:
drinking 8 to 10 glasses of clean/filtered water per day
drinking water before, during, and after exercise
using electrolyte replacement drinks for high-intensity training
avoiding sodas or juices, which have a high sugar content and can make dehydration worse
limiting caffeine, which is found in sodas, tea, and coffee
If you know you’re one of those susceptible to tetany, perhaps make sure you prepare yourself before your next session with some of these foods, and by hydrating really well prior to breathing (but don’t come with too much water in the stomach immediately before the session).
Also, remember you can always self regulate your breathing during a session as well, and an experienced facilitator will know how, and what, to recommend in this case.
Perhaps this painful and tight feeling in your hands is not just about what you’re “holding onto” in life, but is as much about your existing electrolyte levels and your personal relationship with Co2/o2 and the dance they do with calcium! That said, the enquiry into what you may be holding onto is always a useful one in any personal growth work right?
