How Does Memory Foam Work?
A great deal has been written about memory foam mattresses. Many people recommend them for back problems or as a means of getting a good night’s rest. There are television and print media commercials that extol the virtues of Tempur-Pedic® memory foam beds and the magic properties of visco-elastic foam. But what is it about memory foam that makes it such a popular choice for bedding? Here is some information on how memory foam works, and when it might be just what you need.
The development of memory foam came about because of the space program in the United States. The idea was to find ways to ease the negative effects of periods of acceleration and deceleration for astronauts who were in flight. Unfortunately, the memory foam ultimately could not be used for this purpose, as it emits trace amounts of gas that would build up in the enclosed atmosphere of the ship. However, the result of all this research was a product that was ideal for use in other ways.
Memory foam is basically an insulating material that responds to changes in temperature. As the foam comes into contact with an increase in temperature, the foam realigns to provide a cushion, by softening at the points where the body increases the temperature of the foam. When used in the form of a mattress, the foam molds itself to the contours of the human body, providing excellent support at pressure points along the spine, legs, and elsewhere. This makes it possible to avoid some of the stresses on the skeletal and muscle systems of the body that are incurred during sleep on any other type of surface. When a person shifts positions on memory foam, the foam automatically realigns to maintain the cushion effect.
With the pressure distributed evenly across the whole body, there is less of a chance of waking in order to find a more comfortable position. The end result of using memory foam as a sleeping surface is that it is possible to achieve deep REM sleep, which is the most recuperative form of sleep. Persons with chronic back problems are excellent candidates for the use of a memory foam mattress.
While there are several excellent memory foam mattresses on the market today, the more effective models can be expensive. One way to find out if memory foam may be a good solution to sleeping problems is to invest in a set of memory foam pillows. If the pillows seem to be helping the individual get a more restful sleep, then purchasing a mattress made from memory foam would be the next logical step.
Written by Malcolm Tatum
