Visco-elastic Memory Foam and Memory Foam Toppers Basics
June 2, 2009 – 1:33 pmMemory foam has many names. It is known as visco elastic foam, visco-elastic polyurethane foam, NASA foam, temperature sensitive foam, slow recovery foam, t-foam and mfoam to name a few. But to keep it simple, the most common name is simply ‘memory foam.’ This kind of foam is made from millions of high density, visco-elastic memory cells. These very small cells are temperature sensitive and therefore settles down to the shape of the person using the foam as it starts getting warm. In cooler areas the cells remain firm but in warmer areas the cells become softer. Therefore, when we use these memory foams inside our homes, they provide ultimate sleeping comfort. Memory foam toppers are nothing but a layer of memory foam which can be used on a normal bed to provide some of the benefits of a full memory foam mattress.
Memory foams were first created at NASA. These were specially developed in 1970s by NASA’s research center keeping in mind the weight and body shape of the astronauts to relieve them from the intense forces which they had to experience during take-off. These memory foams were very difficult to manufacture and also not durable enough therefore they were never used in any space programs. But scientists realized the application of these products in medical field. Later they became a revolution of sorts in bedding industry. The quality and uniformity of material has improved many times since then and they have found cheaper ways to manufacture them.
Benefits of Memory Foam and memory foam toppers:
Improved Spinal Alignment - This foam conforms to the body’s contours and therefore supports the spinal column and allows it to remain aligned. If the spinal cord is properly aligned, it allows the spine to remaining neutral position which helps in the muscles around the spine to rest and repair while sleeping.
Reduction in pressure points – When you sleep, there are specific parts of your body which takes on the most weight of your body. There is often restriction in flow of blood in these areas which creates discomfort while sleeping resulting in tossing and turning while sleeping. Memory foam reduces pressure points by conforming to the body shape thereby helping us sleep much better.
No more sleep loss due to partner - Whenever your partner changes her/his position while sleeping, you get disturbed since it you feel it too. This cause interrupted sleep which is not good for health and mind. Memory foam absorbs the vibration due to its density and doesn’t transfer the motion enabling you to sleep without any unintended disturbances.
Apart from the above main advantages of memory foam, there are a few more like allergy reduction, protection from bedbugs, relief from some medical ailments like obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, restless legs syndrome, and insomnia. Also, you will not have to rotate or flip your mattresses since the memory foam beds don’t have metal coils at all. In fact memory foam is used in all places like the lumbar support for cars
photo credit: ThrasherDave