Conch shell blowing for sleep apnea relief: Ancient fix?

Conch shell blowing, also known as shankh blowing, is an ancient Indian breathing technique now showing promise as a sleep apnea treatment. This intriguing obstructive sleep apnea therapy may offer a simple, low-cost alternative for those struggling with CPAP machines.

Conch Shell Blowing for Sleep Apnea Relief

Conch shell blowing for sleep apnea relief begins with a deep inhalation and forceful exhalation through a spiraled shell, creating resistance and vibrations that tone upper airway muscles. In a recent small randomized controlled trial, participants practicing shankh blowing for six months experienced fewer apneas, improved oxygen levels, and 34 % less daytime sleepiness than those practicing deep breathing alone ScimexThe Guardian.

What Is Conch Shell Blowing?

Conch shell blowing, or shankh blowing, is rooted in Indian yogic traditions and used in rituals to purify the environment and enhance lung and throat strength Smithsonian MagazineThe Indian Express. The technique involves sustained, forceful exhalation via tightly pursed lips into a shell, which creates acoustic resistance—a form of respiratory muscle training.

The Study and Its Results

The trial involved 30 adults aged 19–65 diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Conducted between May 2022 and January 2024 at the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, India, participants were randomly assigned to either the conch shell group (16 people) or a deep breathing control group (14 people). Both groups practiced at home for 15 minutes, five days per week, over six months ScimexNews-Medical.

By the end of the trial, the conch shell group reported:

• 34 % reduction in daytime sleepiness

• 4–5 fewer apneas per hour

• Better sleep quality

• Higher nighttime blood oxygen saturation Smithsonian Magazineeuronews

How It Works: The Mechanism

Researchers believe the unique spiraling structure of the conch shell exerts acoustic and mechanical stimulation that, along with airflow resistance, strengthens the muscles of the upper airway—including the throat and soft palate—that often collapse during sleep The GuardianThe Indian Express.

Why This Matters for Sleep Apnea Treatment

For many with obstructive sleep apnea, the gold-standard CPAP machine is effective but often uncomfortable, noisy, or inaccessible. Conch shell blowing offers a low-tech, culturally rich alternative that can be practiced at home, requiring minimal equipment and no prescription ScimexThe Guardian.

Limitations & Next Steps

Experts caution that the small sample size limits generalizability. A larger, multi-centre trial is needed—and is being planned—to validate these findings and compare shankh blowing directly against standard treatments like CPAP ScimexThe Guardian.

In Summary

Conch shell blowing for sleep apnea relief is emerging as a fascinating, culturally rooted sleep apnea treatment. The shankh blowing technique may help train upper airway muscles, reduce apnea events, enhance sleep quality, and combat daytime sleepiness. While promising, it’s based on early data, and more extensive trials are needed. Nonetheless, it’s a compelling, low-cost alternative to standard options—especially worthy of attention in South African healthcare discussions.

Here are five mainstream South African media outlets where health-related breakthroughs like the conch shell (shankh) blowing study could be featured, along with representative links:

1. News24 – Health News
   Coverage on a prominent doctor tackling South Africa’s HIV epidemic: “Dragon slayer in a time of dragons: This doctor is battling ‘SA’s new HIV epidemic’” News24

2. News24 – Health Department Reporting
   Example reporting on public healthcare access: “Health dept doesn’t check if patients seeking care at hospitals are undocumented – Motsoaledi” News24

3. News24 – Health News Tag Page
   A collection of latest health stories on News24, ideal for health innovations News24+1

4. Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism
   A highly respected nonprofit health media organization in South Africa, frequently republished by major outlets Wikipedia

5. Health24
   As part of Media24’s suite (same group as News24), Health24 specializes in health and wellness journalism—as noted by Wikipedia’s listing of News24’s sister brands Wikipedia