I remember being weighed down by a horrifying feeling of inferiority during an Asian Medicine lecture one day. You see, I have always been proud of a strong and reliable digestive system until I learned that the Chinese believe that one should experience an elimination – you know, when you make “a #2” – at least 2-3 times a day.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, a healthy individual should experience a bowel movement after every meal. Any less than that and he or she receives the uncomfortable label of being “constipated.”
The last time I remember being constipated was either during an intense period of stress or when experiencing some travel-induced IBS while in South America. However, by the Chinese’s standards, I’m pretty much constipated all the time, as I’m sure most North Americans are.
While chronic constipation can be attributed to many things: lack of fibre and water in the diet, stress and repression of the urge to defecate (because you’re in a rush or you don’t feel comfortable “going” at work and so on), or even a more serious medical problem (see your naturopathic doctor if you’re not sure of the cause of your constipation), it wasn’t until I watched this video, that North American chronic constipation issues started to make more sense:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYcv6odWfTM]
I recommend watching the video but, just in case you’re short of time (maybe you’ve gotta go!), I’ll give you the gist of it:
– As humans we’d spent most of our existence pooping in the woods, in a squatting position, until the invention of the modern toilet.
– Bathroom posture, rather than diet, is likely the leading cause of gastrointestinal complaints.
– According to researchers at Stanford University, the puborectalis muscle, which chokes off the lower end of the rectum, preventing you from eliminating waste, is partially flexed while in a seated position (like when you sit on a modern toilet). This prevents waste from leaving the rectum and prevents you from having a proper bowel movement, leading to straining and constipation.
– However, when in a squatting position, the puborectalis muscle is able to fully relax, releasing its grip on the rectum and allowing waste to be freely passed.
– Instead of squatting over a hole, however, one can achieve the 35 degree angle (between torso and legs) by using a stool (no pun intended) to rest his or her feet on while sitting on the toilet.
The makers of the video recommend buying their fancy model. However, I explain how to achieve similar (or equal) effects for $2 or less.
Step 1: Find an empty plastic storage bin. I bought mine from Dollarama (my one-stop shop) for $2.
Step 2: Make sure your plastic storage bin is empty.
Step 3: Turn empty plastic $2 storage bin upside down and place in front of your favourite toilet.
Step 4: Sit on toilet, place feet on empty $2 plastic storage bin and, well, you know the rest. (Reading material not shown here).
After trying my made-at-home “Stool Stool”, I noticed almost immediate results; no more straining, no more constipation. Without giving too much information, let’s just say you too can make the Ancient Chinese proud with this simple and affordable method!
Haha, Love it!!
ha! thanks!
haha that’s such a good idea!!! I actually got recommended a Squatty Potty once so I’ve looked into the whole concept before.. your idea to use a storage bin is great! So simple yet such a great idea! BTW – I like how you openly talk about this subject 😀
thank you! yeah, there’s just something that feels intuitively right about the posture and, of course, talking about poop! It’s the naturopathic way (and it’s also a favourite topic of conversation in my family!)
I just now read you want to become a naturopathic doctor, that’s so cool! I’ve seen a naturopathic doctor a couple of times in my life when “regular” doctors (srry for the lack of a better name ;)) couldn’t help me.
I never really cared to much for health and the human body as a study, but I find it more and more interesting each day! I have my bachelors’ in Hotel management, but if I could change it I think I would have studied medicine 🙂
I do work as a nutritionist (certified) since a few weeks, and I want to keep educating myself in order to be the best I can be.
Good luck on your journey and I’ll make sure to keep myself updated every now and then!
Eatandgetmoving,
Congrats on the new job of nutritionist! I’m glad you found me and I hope you stop by here more often! Will definitely check out your blog as well!
Ha ha, I love that you included a step-by-step photos too! You rock.
Thanks! Sometimes it’s nice to have a visual!
Reblogged this on My Blog.
Thanks for the info and will try it. However it will be difficult to achieve and maintain the position of the classic “Thinker” pose when using the stool. We need a new statue “Thinker on a Stool” or “The Stool Thinker”?
We do indeed need a new statue: Thinker on a Stool, or Thinker with Stool! The original statue tells us a little bit too much about Rodin’s digestive health, in my opinion, if that’s the posture he assumes while doing all his “thinking”. If he only he had known about the stool. Thanks for the comment and the insightful suggestion!
You don’t even need a bin. Just squat for a few minutes before going to the bathroom. That’s all.
Or that. However, I’ve always been somewhat of a multi-tasker… 🙂
Ha ha great idea.