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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex, multifaceted condition characterised not only by persistent fatigue but by a wide constellation of symptoms affecting multiple body systems.

These can include:

  • post-exertional malaise (a worsening of symptoms after even minimal activity)
  • unrefreshing sleep
  • cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”)
  • orthostatic intolerance (difficulty standing or sitting upright)
  • chronic pain
  • respiratory discomfort

 

These symptoms often interact in feedback loops, where poor breathing patterns, stress and nervous system dysregulation can amplify each other and perpetuate illness.

 

 

Dysfunctional breathing  is often a contributing factor. Breathing patterns may be too fast, shallow or irregular, often with a tendency toward mouth breathing or upper chest dominance.

This inefficient breathing places a greater burden on the already energy-limited systems of people with ME/CFS, contributing to increased fatigue, disturbed sleep, and difficulty recovering after physical or mental exertion.

Another important aspect of ME/CFS is the dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system.

Many patients experience a dominance of the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) response, which can cause sensations of breathlessness, anxiety, palpitations or a feeling of air hunger. When the breathing system is under chronic stress, it can disrupt heart rate variability, circadian rhythms and immune function — all of which are commonly impaired in ME/CFS.

Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is often one of the most debilitating symptoms in ME/CFS, in part due to poor breathing recovery and energy mismanagement. After even mild exertion, those with ME/CFS often experience a crash marked by worsened fatigue, pain, and cognitive dysfunction.

Integrative Breathing Therapy (IBT) treatment helps patients become more aware of their breathing and nervous system states, so they can better pace themselves and use restorative breathing strategies to reduce the likelihood or severity of these crashes.

Poor sleep quality is another core symptom in ME/CFS.

Many individuals report waking up feeling unrefreshed, even after a full night of rest. This may be linked to nocturnal mouth breathing, disordered sleep breathing patterns or nervous system arousal. Through breath retraining and techniques to shift the body into parasympathetic (‘rest and digest’) dominance, IBT aims to support more restorative sleep and improve energy regulation.

Ultimately, ME/CFS not as a singular dysfunction, but is a systemic pattern of dysregulation involving breathing, stress, energy and perception. IBT treats the breath as a gateway into rebalancing the body’s core systems. By improving breathing mechanics, reducing hypervigilance and helping the nervous system return to a more balanced state, IBT seeks to alleviate the intensity of ME/CFS symptoms and support more sustainable functioning over time.