Question 1

Is this just breathwork?

Accepted Answer

No. Breathwork is a broad term that covers a wide range of practices - many of them valuable, but most of them methodology-driven. One technique, applied to everyone.

What I do is clinical assessment. I look at your specific breathing pattern, identify where it's breaking down mechanically and neurologically, and build a retraining plan around what I find. It's individualized, evidence-based, and grounded in respiratory science.

If you've tried breathwork before and felt like something was missing - this is probably why.

Question 2

Can you diagnose me?

Accepted Answer

No. As a Registered Respiratory Therapist I do not diagnose medical conditions. What I do is assess breathing patterns and mechanics, identify dysfunction, and provide retraining and education.

If something comes up during your assessment that suggests you need medical investigation, I will tell you clearly and point you in the right direction.

Question 3

Is this for asthma?

Accepted Answer

Not specifically - though people with asthma often have dysfunctional breathing patterns that sit alongside their diagnosis and make symptoms worse. If you have a respiratory condition, The Breath Lab can be a valuable complement to your medical care, but it is not a replacement for it.

Question 4

Do you direct bill insurance?

Accepted Answer

Not at this time. Services at The Breath Lab are paid out of pocket. Depending on your plan, RRT services may be eligible for reimbursement through your extended health benefits - I'd recommend checking directly with your provider. I'm happy to provide a receipt for submission purposes.

Question 5

What is VO2 max testing and do I need it?

Accepted Answer

VO2 max is a measure of your body's maximal oxygen uptake - essentially your aerobic ceiling. Testing identifies your true VO2 max, your ventilatory thresholds, and your individualized training zones based on actual gas exchange rather than estimated formulas.

You don't need it to work with me. But if you want objective data about your aerobic capacity - or you want to understand the relationship between your breathing efficiency and your performance - it's one of the most valuable tests an endurance athlete can do.

Question 6

What does VO2 max testing actually involve?

Accepted Answer

You'll exercise on a treadmill at progressively increasing intensity while wearing a mask connected to the VO2 Master analyzer. The device measures the oxygen you consume in real time. We push until we hit your maximum - which most people find uncomfortable but manageable. The whole test takes about 60 minutes including warm up, the test itself, and a review of your results.

Question 7

Do I need to be a serious athlete?

Accepted Answer

No. The Breath Lab works with athletes of all levels - from recreational runners and weekend warriors to competitive endurance athletes. What matters is that you're moving, you care about how you feel, and you're open to looking at something most people never think to address.

Question 8

Can I do this virtually?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The breathing assessment and 1:1 retraining program are both available virtually. VO2 max and RMR testing require an in-studio visit to Beachville, ON as they involve physical equipment.

Question 9

How is this different from seeing a physiotherapist or respirologist?

Accepted Answer

A physiotherapist typically addresses breathing as it relates to musculoskeletal function - useful, but not the full picture. A respirologist investigates and manages respiratory disease - important, but not performance-focused.

The Breath Lab sits in a different space entirely. Clinical respiratory science applied to how you move, train, and perform. It's not a gap most practitioners fill - which is exactly why it exists.

Question 10

How do I know which service is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Start with the free 20-minute breathing screen. I'll take a look at your pattern, tell you exactly what I find, and point you toward the right next step. No pressure, no commitment - just clarity on where to begin.

Question 11

What should I expect from the free screen?

Accepted Answer

Twenty minutes. I'll observe your breathing pattern, ask a few targeted questions, and give you one specific, honest takeaway about what I see and what it means for your performance or recovery. It's not a sales pitch. It's a genuine clinical look - and you'll leave with something useful regardless of whether you book anything further.

Question 12

How long until I see results?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how established your pattern is and how consistently you apply the retraining. Most people notice something shifting within the first two to three sessions - not because the pattern is fixed, but because awareness alone changes things. Meaningful, lasting change typically happens over the six weeks of the 1:1 program. The nervous system needs time to update its model. We work with that, not against it.

Question 13

Still have a question?

Accepted Answer

Reach out directly — kelsey@theholisticrt.com

Kelsey Rivard
RRT

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