Targeted Treatment for Exercise-Induced Breathing Disorders
Functional Airway Lab provides specialized breathing retraining for EILO (Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction), VCD (Vocal Cord Dysfunction), Breathing Pattern Disorder (BPD), and other causes of exercise-induced breathlessness.
Care combines speech-language pathology with functional breathing science to identify and address inefficient breathing patterns, laryngeal breathing dysfunction, and other factors that can make exercise feel harder than it should. Treatment is clinical, individualized, and tailored to your symptoms, activity level, and the demands of your sport.
Specialized
We provide specialized care for EILO, VCD Breathing Pattern Disorder, and other causes of exercise-induced breathlessness.
Holistic
We consider the whole breathing system—including breathing patterns, the respiratory muscles, exercise demands, and contributing factors — to understand why breathing becomes difficult.
Individualized
Every program is tailored to your symptoms, goals, activity level, and sport. We develop practical strategies designed to help you breathe with greater control and confidence during exercise.
Conditions We Work With
Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
Also referred to as vocal cord dysfunction or paradoxical vocal fold motion. A breathing disorder in which the larynx narrows inappropriately during exercise, often causing sudden difficulty getting air in, throat tightness, or noisy breathing. EILO can be mistaken for asthma and may occur alone or alongside other breathing conditions.
Breathing Pattern Disorder
Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
An inefficient or disrupted breathing pattern that can contribute to breathlessness, exercise intolerance, excessive breathing effort, and difficulty regulating breathing during activity. Breathing pattern disorders may occur alongside EILO or other respiratory conditions.
Exercise-Related Breathing Symptoms
Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)
Exercise-Related Breathing Symptoms
Breathing difficulty during exercise can have multiple causes, including EILO, asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), breathing pattern disorder, or combinations of these conditions. We focus on identifying breathing patterns and upper-airway contributors and collaborate with medical providers when additional evaluation is needed.
How We Meet
In-Person
We hold sessions at our office in Ventura, CA or at sport-specific training locations in the surrounding area — allowing breathing techniques to be practiced under real performance conditions, not just in a clinic setting.
Telepractice (Virtual)
We hold secure video sessions with real-time assessment, coaching, and personalized exercises. Athletes practice techniques in their own training environments between sessions — helping strategies transfer directly to performance situations. Please note: we are currently licensed for telepractice in CA, AZ, CO, ID, NV, and OR. If you do not reside in one of these states, please feel free to contact us to discuss options or to have us help to locate a qualified provider in your area.