Can I get the same benefits of squatting with a sitting toilet by using a foot stool to raise up my legs and bring my knees closer to my body?
Having a squatting toilet is best. Using a stool to elevate the feet and bring the knees towards the body is not the same as squatting. It is merely a crude attempt to imitate the natural squatting position where the entire weight of the upper body is on the feet, and the thighs are in contact with and pressed against the lower abdomen (see diagram). The resulting increase in pressure of the abdominal cavity and beneficial compression of the colon results in comfortable and complete evacuation. With a squatting stool, you still have to bend forward and use the awkward posture in an attempt to make contact with the thighs and compress the colon (see diagram). This pseudo squatting posture is not the same as the natural squatting posture. You would still need to hold the breath and strain to push downwards to evacuate which is not required when squatting correctly. Straining in this way is the cause of hemorrhoids, diverticulosis and pelvic floor prolapse. Dr B. A. Sikirov, the Israeli p