The study claims squatting is better than sitting for hemorrhoids, but what is the effect of squatting on the knees?
How bathroom posture affects your health.
31–40 of 108 posts
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#32For what it's worth, I've been squatting since preadolescence. As a counterpoint to the experience of the sitters in the study who rated their experiences squatting "more comfortable" than sitting, I've tried going back to sitting from time to time to no avail; I find it unnatural and difficult.
I always figured it was because I was used to doing it my way, not because it was easier. I didn't switch for comfort reasons, and certainly I never dreamed it might prevent hemorrhoids later in life!
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#33Sorry, but I don't know a polite way to ask this. How do you urinate while on a squat toilet without peeing all over your pants?
Take your pants off?
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#34Squat toilets are also more sanitary. I'd much prefer public toilets in the US be of the squat variety.
I would say that except one or two, all the other public squat toilets which I've seen were horrible. Though I agree that they're more sanitary because your butt doesn't touch them.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#35Let's just say that this squatting thing really does have all the benefits that the article says it does.
Does is occur to anyone else that instead of squatting precariously on a sit toilet, risking a fall and backsplash on the feet, one could simply put a stack of phonebooks or a kiddie stool in front of the toilet, and then put your feet on it while you take a dump? Same angle for the core/legs, but less danger.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#36Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#37Can't you just lean forward on the toilet to achieve the same result?
If you're removing your rear from the seat while leaning forward, then maybe. The point of squatting, besides the angle of the innards involved, is the pressure on your bum. Leaning forward, or raising your feet of the ground, as is mentioned, won't decrease the pressure. That motion is more likely to increase the pressure. There are a number of articles regarding this rectal pressure as it contributes to hemorrhoids. IANAD...just my 2 cents.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#38I was told once that in China, people squat a lot more than in the West. Both for toilet use, but also just for "sitting down" somewhere. Example: I was told that upon seeing a bench, whereas westerners would normally sit on it, a Chinese person will squat on it. This supposedly also makes their legs much stronger. Can anyone confirm this?
Squatting trivia: South Asians do squat in repose, but notice that the heel of the foot is in full contact with the ground. I read somewhere that the typical Westerner, or someone not used to squatting for extended periods, will squat on the balls of their feet. Apparently this can tire you out quickly. I'm embarrassed that I can't quite manage to squat on my heels either, despite being South Asian.
I spent a couple years in South Korea a number of years ago and challenged myself to squat as the natives did. It didn't take long to achieve full heel contact with the ground but I never felt entirely balanced.
FWIW I found regular sitting toilets in most homes and establishments that I visited. The "squatter" was actually not common in the parts I traveled (25 years ago and mostly in Seoul). I think I used one twice in 2 years.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#39six subjects had their rectums filled with a contrast solution and then released the fluid from a squatting or a sitting position while being filmed with X-ray video. yikes.
Yeah, I think I've seen that one on the porn store rack.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#40[deleted]