Breathing exercise system methods

Abstract

Methods are disclosed in which a user performs breathing exercises with breathing exercise systems. The breathing exercise systems may include at least two different breathing apparatuses. Each breathing apparatus may include a member operatively arranged with a valve mechanism with a threshold pressure. The valve mechanism of each breathing apparatus may be configured to respond when the absolute pressure within the member is greater than a threshold pressure. Each breathing apparatus may be configured such that the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism is modifiable. The at least two breathing apparatuses may define a combined housing.

1 . A method for performing breathing exercises with a breathing exercise system including at least two different breathing apparatuses, wherein the at least two different breathing apparatuses include a first apparatus and a second apparatus, the method comprising:
 positioning an open portion of a member, of the first apparatus, to a nose of a user such that breathing by the user through the open portion of the first apparatus results in anterior movement of a soft palate of the user to open space in an area of a throat of the user behind the soft palate to create a continuous air pathway from the nose to lungs of the user; and   performing by the user a first breathing exercise via the continuous air pathway, with the first apparatus, in which the user generates, for a predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, a pressure within the open portion of the first apparatus that exceeds a threshold pressure of a valve mechanism, of the first apparatus, biased towards a closed position to cause the valve mechanism to open such that the open portion of the first apparatus is fluidly connected to a distal portion of the first apparatus and the lungs to train muscles of the user;   positioning an open portion of a member, of the second apparatus, to a nose of a user such that breathing by the user through the open portion of the second apparatus results in anterior movement of a soft palate of the user to open space in an area of a throat of the user behind the soft palate to create a continuous air pathway from the nose to lungs of the user; and   performing by the user a second breathing exercise via the continuous air pathway, with the second apparatus, in which the user generates, for a predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, a pressure within the open portion of the second apparatus that exceeds a threshold pressure of a valve mechanism, of the second apparatus, biased towards a closed position to cause the valve mechanism to open such that the open portion of the second apparatus is fluidly connected to a distal portion of the second apparatus and the lungs to train muscles of the user.   
     
     
         2 . A method for performing breathing exercises with a breathing exercise system including at least two different breathing apparatuses, wherein the at least two different breathing apparatuses include a first apparatus and a second apparatus, the method comprising:
 positioning an open portion of a member, of the first apparatus, to a nose of a user such that breathing by the user through the open portion of the first apparatus results in anterior movement of a soft palate of the user to open space in an area of a throat of the user behind the soft palate to create a continuous air pathway from the nose to lungs of the user; and   performing by the user a first breathing exercise via the continuous air pathway, with the first apparatus, in which the user generates, for a predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, a pressure within the open portion of the first apparatus that exceeds a threshold pressure of a valve mechanism, of the first apparatus, biased towards a closed position to cause the valve mechanism to open such that the open portion of the first apparatus is fluidly connected to a distal portion of the first apparatus and the lungs to train muscles of the user;   positioning an open portion of a member, of the second apparatus, to a nose of a user such that breathing by the user through the open portion of the second apparatus results in anterior movement of a soft palate of the user to open space in an area of a throat of the user behind the soft palate to create a continuous air pathway from the nose to lungs of the user; and   performing by the user a second breathing exercise via the continuous air pathway, with the second apparatus, in which the user generates, for a predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, a pressure within the open portion of the second apparatus that exceeds a threshold pressure of a valve mechanism, of the second apparatus, biased towards an open position to cause the valve mechanism to close such that the open portion of the second apparatus is fluidly connected to the lungs but separated from a distal portion of the second apparatus to train muscles of the user.   
     
     
         3 . A method for performing breathing exercises with a breathing exercise system including at least two different breathing apparatuses, wherein the at least two different breathing apparatuses include a first apparatus and a second apparatus, the method comprising:
 positioning an open portion of a member, of the first apparatus, to a nose of a user such that breathing by the user through the open portion of the first apparatus results in anterior movement of a soft palate of the user to open space in an area of a throat of the user behind the soft palate to create a continuous air pathway from the nose to lungs of the user; and   performing by the user a first breathing exercise via the continuous air pathway, with the first apparatus, in which the user generates, for a predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, a pressure within the open portion of the first apparatus that exceeds a threshold pressure of a valve mechanism, of the first apparatus, biased towards an open position to cause the valve mechanism to close such that the open portion of the first apparatus is fluidly connected to the lungs but separated from a distal portion of the first apparatus to train muscles of the user;   positioning an open portion of a member, of the second apparatus, to a nose of a user such that breathing by the user through the open portion of the second apparatus results in anterior movement of a soft palate of the user to open space in an area of a throat of the user behind the soft palate to create a continuous air pathway from the nose to lungs of the user; and   performing by the user a second breathing exercise via the continuous air pathway, with the second apparatus, in which the user generates, for a predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, a pressure within the open portion of the second apparatus that exceeds a threshold pressure of a valve mechanism, of the second apparatus, biased towards an open position to cause the valve mechanism to close such that the open portion of the second apparatus is fluidly connected to the lungs but separated from a distal portion of the second apparatus to train muscles of the user.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the valve mechanism of the first apparatus is modifiable to alter the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the valve mechanism of the first apparatus is modifiable to alter the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the valve mechanism of the first apparatus is modifiable to alter the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the valve mechanism of the second apparatus is modifiable to alter the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the valve mechanism of the second apparatus is modifiable to alter the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the valve mechanism of the second apparatus is modifiable to alter the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism of the first apparatus based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using the first apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the first breathing exercise using the first apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising selecting the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism of the first apparatus based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using the first apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the first breathing exercise using the first apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising selecting the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism of the first apparatus based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using the first apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the first breathing exercise using the first apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism of the second apparatus based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using the second apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using a different head and neck exercise apparatus with the second threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the second breathing exercise using the second apparatus or the different head and neck exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising selecting the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism of the second apparatus based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using the second apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using a different head and neck exercise apparatus with the second threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the second breathing exercise using the second apparatus or the different head and neck exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising selecting the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism of the second apparatus based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using the second apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using a different head and neck exercise apparatus with the second threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the second breathing exercise using the second apparatus or the different head and neck exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the first breathing exercise, with the first apparatus, repeating the performing by the user the breathing exercise with the apparatus until predefined criteria are met; and responsive to the predefined criteria being met, modifying the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising performing the first breathing exercise, with the first apparatus, repeating the performing by the user the breathing exercise with the apparatus until predefined criteria are met; and responsive to the predefined criteria being met, modifying the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising performing the first breathing exercise, with the first apparatus, repeating the performing by the user the breathing exercise with the apparatus until predefined criteria are met; and responsive to the predefined criteria being met, modifying the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the second breathing exercise, with the second apparatus, repeating the performing by the user the breathing exercise with the apparatus until predefined criteria are met; and responsive to the predefined criteria being met, modifying the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising performing the second breathing exercise, with the second apparatus, repeating the performing by the user the breathing exercise with the apparatus until predefined criteria are met; and responsive to the predefined criteria being met, modifying the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising performing the second breathing exercise, with the second apparatus, repeating the performing by the user the breathing exercise with the apparatus until predefined criteria are met; and responsive to the predefined criteria being met, modifying the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying the threshold pressure of the first breathing apparatus is based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using the first apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the first breathing exercise using the first apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the modifying the threshold pressure of the first breathing apparatus is based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using the first apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the first breathing exercise using the first apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the modifying the threshold pressure of the first breathing apparatus is based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using the first apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the first breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the first breathing exercise using the first apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying the threshold pressure of the second breathing apparatus is based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using the second apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the second breathing exercise using the second apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the modifying the threshold pressure of the second breathing apparatus is based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using the second apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the second breathing exercise using the second apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the modifying the threshold pressure of the second breathing apparatus is based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using the second apparatus with the threshold pressure or another threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the second breathing exercise, using a different breathing apparatus with the threshold pressure or a different threshold pressure, for the predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time or a different predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, or (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or a muscle tension required to perform the second breathing exercise using the second apparatus or the different breathing apparatus. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first breathing apparatus and second breathing apparatus define a combined housing. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first breathing apparatus and second breathing apparatus define a combined housing. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first breathing apparatus and second breathing apparatus define a combined housing.