Why do you feel numb after squatting for a long time?

Why do my feet become numb after squatting in the toilet for a long time?

Generally speaking, "pressure", "touch", "pain" and "warmth" are our normal sensations, while "numbness" is not one of our standard sensations, but a signal that our sensory nerves are "uncomfortable".

Why do you feel numb after squatting for a long time?

We know that the human body's senses rely on the mutual transmission between nerves and the brain. We can compare nerves to telegraph lines beside the road, and the brain is the "headquarters" for issuing and receiving commands. Each command is transmitted through these telegraph lines, and the "reply" is brought back to the brain at the same time.

When we squat for a long time, the nerves and blood vessels in the legs will be compressed, and the legs will be in a state of ischemia and hypoxia. Nerve signals cannot be transmitted smoothly. The brain cannot receive signals from the legs for a while, and cannot issue commands. At this time, the brain is not aware of the existence of legs, and the legs seem to have lost consciousness.

When we finish and stand up again, the blood vessels and nerves are liberated again, blood flows smoothly to the lower limbs, and the severed nerve signals return to normal.

But because the nerves were blocked, a lot of signals accumulated. Faced with so many signals coming at once, the brain will also feel confused, so your legs will feel "numb".

Simply put, nerve compression, ischemia and hypoxia are the "culprits" that cause leg numbness when going to the toilet.

The numb feeling is not very strong when squatting, but it feels like tingling needles constantly pricking the skin.

When you stand up, the pressure is released, the tingling sensation will gradually fade away, and the numbness will gradually become clearer and clearer. Your legs will feel like a TV that cannot receive a signal, with snowflakes all over your eyes and you will feel so numb that you will "scream and curse."

And if you move a little, the "needle" will prick you again, and you will experience a new climax of numbness.

After waiting for a few tens of seconds, you will feel the peace of mind of having survived a disaster, and you can even jump out of the bathroom.

A friend asked, I don’t use a squat toilet, I sit when I go to the toilet, why do my feet still feel numb?

The reason lies in posture. When most people sit on the toilet to solve the "big" things in life, their posture is like "thinking David", hunched over, elbows on thighs, chin on the back of hands, maintaining a deep thinker posture.

This position is more like the person's body and mind rejecting the toilet, except for their buttocks. Hunching over blocks blood flow to the pelvic nerves, which also extend to your feet, which explains why people who sit on the toilet may even feel tingling in their toes.

Although the numbness in the legs and feet after going to the toilet does not have much impact on health, I believe most people do not like the sour feeling. So, here comes the question -

How to avoid leg numbness when going to the toilet?

1. Shorten the time you spend in the bathroom

"Don't take your phone to the toilet" is correct nonsense. Many people know that it is a bad habit to take their phone to the toilet, but they just can't resist the temptation of their phone.

Many people have numb legs while squatting in the toilet because they spend a long time on their phones in the restroom. A "big thing" that can be done in the toilet in 5 minutes may take 15 minutes with a phone. If there is WiFi, some people can stay for 45 minutes. If there is a charger and a plug, they can squat for eternity...

Squatting in the toilet feels good for a while, but if you squat for too long your legs and feet will really become numb and you won’t know what to do.

2. Change your posture

The hunched-over position is harmful to the nerves in the pelvis. Sitting on the toilet in this position for 10 to 15 minutes is enough to make many people feel uncomfortable.

The best way to prevent numbness in your legs and feet is to keep your upper body relaxed and upright, with your knees slightly higher than your hips.

3. Try a toilet seat

A toilet mat or padded toilet seat can provide more cushioning for the hip and pelvic area, improve blood flow to the feet, and reduce the numbness and discomfort of the feet after squatting.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone: Don’t play with your phone while squatting on the toilet, and don’t squat on the toilet while playing with your phone.

In our busy daily lives, why not give yourself some solitude and time to complete the activity of going to the toilet calmly, relaxedly and attentively? This is good for both your body and mind!

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Tadpole's original work, please indicate the source when reprinting

Editor/Xiao Xitushuo