What to do in place of straining?

[ronroush7]

I had a doctor years ago that told me not to strain. Twice today I have felt like I had to. Is there something yoou all take to help that ? I have had to do it twice within a short time.

 

[David]

Have you ever tried rocking back and forth?

 

[ronroush7]

No. I will though.

 

[David]

It works quite well for me

 

[afidz]

i do that too

 

[my little penguin]

Gi put DS on miralax to keep things soft and less likely to cause straining ( he has rectal prolapse so absolutely no straining at all allowed )

 

[DEmberton]

You could try a colonic massage. I tried it a few times; never seemed to do me any good but you never know.

 

[Christi]

Maybe you can eat something that can make you go easier?

 

[InkyStinky]

Just read this tip recently: relax your jaw muscles and think about softening/relaxing your whole face. Sounds weird but really works for me!

A low stool to prop your feet up on can be helpful, too.

 

[ronroush7]

Just read this tip recently: relax your jaw muscles and think about softening/relaxing your whole face. Sounds weird but really works for me!

A low stool to prop your feet up on can be helpful, too.

My wife made that last suggestion.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

I tend to massage the gut area. Sometimes it helps.

Also something unique worth considering....do you have a footstool you can put in front of the toilet? When we are able to squat more deeply it all passes through our system easily. Using the footstool while on the toilet may help imitate a deeper squat and keep you from needing to strain.

 

[ronroush7]

Yes, we have one.

 

[foxxie52]

This will sound odd but sit on the toilet backwards and rock. Also, I find it helps a lot if someone runs my lower back.

 

[foxxie52]

Rubs not runs!

 

[ronroush7]

Lol

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Another thing is to switch lifting each knee up to your chest when you are sitting on the toilet. Just tried it a few hours ago after thinking of this conversation and it worked! :lol::ytongue:

 

[Susan2]

There is a product called "Squatty Potty", which is a stool shaped to slide in around the toilet when you are not using it. The video clip is worth watching! :ylol2:
http://www.squattypotty.com/

Check out the Tao Bamboo Adjustable version.

 

[David]

By the way, the rocking back and forth is front to back, not side to side

 

[Agent X20]

All the footstool suggestions are good. Not heard of rocking back and forth, but I'll give that one a try myself.

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

Ye iv done the rocking one n it helped me . Also rubbing my belly and my bum soz if tmi

 

[shamrock15]

Footstool is a good one. The other thing - actually try to relax. Really difficult but I find if I get my knees up and focus on relaxing it does help things move. Straining increases blood flow and causes the muscles to get bigger, just like working out makes those visible muscles bigger. So do the opposite. Let them loose. I was thinking a muscle relaxant might work but haven't had the right opportunity to try it.