Re: Memory Foam

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Re: Memory Foam

Posted by Honest Expert on January 16, 2001 at 20:44:01:
In Reply to: Re: Honest Info About Mattresses... posted by Pat on January 16, 2001 at 20:41:56:
There are a variety of "memory Foams". Some are simply a foam that has a slow reaction rate so they will continue to show a hand print after you remove the pressure. They sort of ooze back to shape, rather than spring back.
Others will do this same thing, but are also responsive to tempurature. These will actually soften at body tempurature so they tend to be very gentle on the immediate contact with the body. These are inevitably more expensive, being a much more sophisticated resin and manufacturing process. The better of this type will be an open-cell foam that will carry trapped heat away a little better.
It has been my experience that things that reduce pressure points, tend to inprove sleep. The simpler version of "memory foam" gives a nice shaping quality, but is not quite as gentle on the body.
More conventional foam overlays -- like the typical egg-crate foams, usually available for under $60 -- are quite pleasant early on, but lose their body fairly quickly -- normally within about 6 months. What is tricky about foam is that it tends to hold its shape well, but can lose its springyness. This causes many people to keep their overlays far longer than their ability to accomplish anything.
It you find that you experience some tenderness in the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, heels, tailbone or shoulder blades while sleeping, an overlay may be a great choice. If you are tossing and turning a lot, it may be restricted bloodflow to the "pinched" portions of the body (pinched between the mattress and your bones, in the areas listed above) that is causing it: An overlay may be quite beneficial here too ... even though you may not feel tenderness.
As a rule, the "memory foams" are a denser material and tend to have greater longevity. They may be a greater initial investment, but not more costly in the long run.

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