The apron string (plain weave) is made of 100% cotton and is sturdy and strong, and can be used to tie the waist securely.
It "makes you feel more focused" and also "protects your back when carrying heavy objects."
There is an old saying that says, "If you wear it, you are less likely to get back pain."

Japanese aprons have been worn by workers in occupations that involve carrying heavy objects, such as liquor stores and rice stores.

Is it actually true? Or is it just an old 'superstition'?

The only way to find out is to ask a specialist! says Ishizaka Osteopath, who runs Ishizaka Osteopathic Clinic in Chofu, Tokyo.
I, Apron Producer Ushioda, went to hear from judo therapist Susumu Ishizaka!

Q: Sorry for the quick response, but thank you very much!
By tightening the apron, "I won't hurt my back even if I carry something heavy" and "It protects my back", etc.
I've heard this question frequently for a long time, but from your perspective, what kind of results can we expect from this treatment?

Dr. Ishizaka: In conclusion, when you wear an apron, it puts pressure on your abdominal area, so what people in the past said about it being useful for preventing back pain when carrying heavy objects was correct.
By squeezing the iliac bone, the waist is tightened and abdominal pressure is applied. This causes the muscles to wake up and "stabilize the waist joints." For that reason, I think aprons are good for the waist.


Q: I see. Could you please teach me the most effective way to tie an apron?

Dr. Ishizaka: When it comes to choking, first of all, it's about the position. It's the part above the pelvis called the ilium. For men, it's right around the "belt".
Please tighten the waist bone. It is the most protruding part, above the hip bone.

Q: I thought it would tighten the pelvis, but it's higher than I thought!

Dr. Ishizaka: Yes. There is a method to tighten the lower pelvis (about 2 fingers below the ilium), which is also effective.
For example, postpartum women may want to tighten their pelvis while doing housework. Tightening the pelvis will also stabilize the hip joint.
You can wear it around your ilium, almost like a belt, or around your pelvis (3-4 cm below your ilium). There are two positions to choose from depending on your purpose.


Q: I see there are two different positions for choking. Are there any other points to keep in mind?

Dr. Ishizaka: Take a deep breath, and squeeze lightly when you exhale a little. On the other hand, it is effective to squeeze the pelvic belt when you inhale and exhale completely, but you don't have to do that with the apron. It's good to inhale, exhale lightly, and squeeze. If you apply too much abdominal pressure, the purpose will change.
Another basic thing to remember is that when you wrap it from back to front, make sure to tie it tightly in front.

Q: I get it! So you inhale and then exhale lightly to tighten it!!!

Professor Ishizaka: To sum it up again, hook it as close as possible to the ilium, or to the pelvis (3-4 cm below the ilium), inhale, exhale lightly, rotate it around, and tie it in front. This is the key point.


Q: What is the difference between this and the "pelvic belt" that is often heard of?

Dr. Ishizaka: Pelvic belts come in a variety of shapes and types depending on where you want to tighten them, but with an apron, you can get different effects just by changing the position where you tighten it.
Also, unlike pelvic belts, it doesn't get stuffy even when you wear it, which is nice.
Even so, people in the past really thought things through. Aprons, which have been around since the Edo period, make sense.

Q: Thank you for today!

Professor Ishizaka: No, thank you very much.


So, here are the 3 points I learned today!

1. The place where you tighten it is around the "belt"! Tighten it around the protruding hip bone called the ilium.

2. When tightening, inhale (and exhale a little) and tighten it in front.

3. For women (especially after childbirth), it can also be effective to tighten the pelvis slightly below the ilium!

So it seems that it's true that it "reduces the burden on your lower back"...
It seems that aprons are filled with the wisdom of people from long ago!!

*Note: Of course, there will be individual differences, and there is no guarantee that wearing an apron will cure your back pain, so please be careful not to be mistaken!
(Experience Report: Apron Manager Ushioda)


The person we spoke to this time was Dr. Ishizaka, a judo therapist whose clinic is located in Chofu City, Tokyo, a 12-minute walk from Chofu Station, next to the Maruetsu supermarket.
They specialize in treating the lower back, neck, etc., so please visit them.

■Ishizaka Osteopathic Clinic 1-18-76 Ambassador Chofu 1st floor, Chofu-gaoka, Chofu City (12 minutes walk from Chofu Station on the Keio Line)
TEL 042-497-6622
Closed on Sundays and public holidays
Business hours Monday to Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm, 3:00pm to 7:30pm
Saturday 8:30am - 2:00am