Hemorrhoids Support Group

I've started doing this about 2 days ago and it seems to be helping. Everything I've read about also makes sense. For hundreds of thousands of years our ancestors have been using this position for defecating. Toilets have only been available to the common population for the last hundred years or so. Back when we had to hunt for our food, being hampered by hemorrhoids was a death sentence. Our ancestors most likely didn't have to deal with this problem. Also it is reported that in parts of the world where people still squat to defecate hemorrhoids are much less of a problem.

Two things I noticed when squatting versus sitting is that I don't have to push as much. Your knees press up against your stomach and that pressure alone does most of the work. Also I don't feel that pressure at the rectal area as much. I feel it a bit higher up towards the colon.

Now let's get down to the gritty details of how to accomplish this in a modern world. You have 3 options here.

Option 1 is to simply squat on the toilet seat. If you're flexible enough this can be done, but have something to hold onto so you don't lose your balance. I just happen have a toilet seat riser that I used for when I had foot surgery, so I use that. It gives my feet a little more surface area to make it more comfortable.

Option 2 is to set up two blocks of some type (wood, cement, etc.) on either side of the toilet, and put your feet on those blocks to squat over the toilet.

Option 3 is to buy some sort of platform that goes around your toilet. This is probably the safest and most comfortable way, but also the most expensive.

Whatever option you choose, just remember that the important thing is to maintain all of your weight on your feet. So "foot risers" don't accomplish the same effect true squatting does, since you're still sitting on the toilet.
Posted on 05/07/09, 09:05 am