Is it wise to use a "wide stance" when you go to the bathroom?

Slate with the answer:

No. When you’re sitting on the toilet, spreading your feet and leaning forward tightens the levator ani muscles that control defecation. If you’re having trouble passing stools, you should take the opposite of a wide stance, and lean back. Doctors recommend this technique to relax the bowel muscles.

Comments

Greg P
So it sounds like a commode that works like a La-Z-Boy is ideal.
MedFriendly
I’m 6 foot 6 and I have never even come close to touching another person’s foot in a stall, let alone stick my hand under the divider when someone else is in the next stall. Levatator ani muscles or no levatator ani muscles, I’m a big advocate of bathroom stall privacy.
Dominic A. Carone, Ph.D.
Founder and Webmaster of MedFriendly.com and The MedFriendly blog.