23 May An Ergonomic Way to WHAT!?!?!

Ok so the text exchange with my best friend went something like this:

“O.M.G.!  You need to get a Squatty Potty.”

“A Squatty Whatty?”

“You haven’t heard about the Squatty Potty.  I’m telling you it’s going to change your life!”

“Um, ok.  But what is it?”

“Here:  http://www.squattypotty.com/

Wait!  There’s An Ergonomic Way to Poop?

So, after checking out their site and researching this a bit more, it turns out that the answer is yes!  There most definitely is an ergonomic way to take care of our business that trumps the traditional sitting position that our modern western toilet design has adopted.

In short, the Squatty Potty is convenient foot stool (no pun intended) that molds around the base of your toilet and well, allows you to do your business in a comfortable squat-like position.   Apparently, when we sit to do our business, the colon gets itself into a partially closed position, (who knew?) and when we squat, our colon opens completely and elimination is more thorough and well, easier.

From www.squattypotty.com

Why is This Important?

Incomplete elimination can lead to pesky problems such as:

• Bloating
• Straining
• Hemorrhoids
• Constipation

How Does Squatting Help?

According to their site. . .

In the squatting position, gravity does most of the work. The weight of the torso presses against the thighs and naturally compresses the colon. Gentle pressure from the diaphragm supplements the force of gravity.

Squatting relaxes the puborectalis muscle, allowing the anorectal angle to straighten and the bowel to empty completely.

Squatting lifts the sigmoid colon to unlock the “kink” at the entrance to the rectum. This kink also helps prevent incontinence, by taking some of the pressure off the puborectalis muscle.

The colon is equipped with an inlet valve (the ileocecal valve) and an outlet valve (the puborectalis muscle). Squatting simultaneously closes the inlet valve, to keep the small intestine clean, and opens the outlet valve, to allow wastes to pass freely. The sitting position defeats the purpose of both valves, making elimination difficult and incomplete, and soiling the small intestine.

Of course, good intestinal health goes beyond our toilet ergonomics, and diet & exercise play a huge role in the health of our guts, but that’s for next week’s post!

In the meanwhile, at the risk of over sharing,  I figured I had nothing to lose by trying one, (only $25) and all I can say for now, is WOW!

And soon I found myself texting my sister saying:

“O.M.G.!  You need to get a Squatty Potty.”

“A Squatty Whatty?”

“You haven’t heard about the Squatty Potty.  I’m telling you it’s going to change your life!”

“Um, ok.  But what is it?

“Here:  http://www.squattypotty.com/

 

Until the next time!

Vivienne