By Art Gib

When my spouse and I were getting ready to get married, my parents offered to buy us a new bed for a wedding present. Because I have dealt with back troubles which have caused chronic pain, I was particularly intrigued by the claims of the pain-relieving properties of visco-elastic memory foam (usually just called “memory foam”).

In general, most people have become familiar with these claims through the brand name–made under the first company to market the material commercially–Tempur-Pedic.

It wasn”t always used as bedding, however–you might find it interesting to know that after NASA passed up the material for astronauts” use, it was marketed for padding on x-ray tables and inside of football helmets!

Memory foam (originally called temper foam) was introduced primarily in the medical field for bedridden patients, as it reduced the ill effects of the pressure caused by excessively firm mattresses (such as sores and even gangrene).

The way that visco-elastic memory form reduces pressure is that the outer layer of foam is temperature sensitive, so when you lie down, the foam literally conforms to the contours of your body, while the lower layers provide the necessary support so you don”t sink right through.

Because of the temperature response, memory foam mattresses tend to create a warmer sleeping experience than traditional mattresses. For people with chronic pain which seems to be alleviated with warmth, this is very helpful, but some sleepers find this to be uncomfortable.

Just like normal inner-spring mattresses, visco-elastic memory foam mattresses come in variations of soft and firm. The level of firmness can be determined by the particular foam”s Indentation Force Deflection score–the higher this rating, the firmer the mattress.

When visco-elastic memory foam was initially marketed to the general public as a new type of sleeping experience, it was far too pricey for the average household to afford even one such mattress.

But in recent years, new companies have marketed their own version of the temper-foam material in a variety of ways. Of course, there are whole mattresses made of temper material, but there are also the popular mattress-toppers.

If you have considered choosing one of these to add softness and support to your own existing bed, you should know that anything under two inches does not make much of a noticeable difference, and a six-inch topper will not be dense enough to provide to support you also need, so you will sink right through it.

Recent innovations have made it possible to make adjustable beds out of visco-elastic memory foam. This is particularly helpful for those who suffer from sleep apnea or varicose veins, as it allows for a more comfortable sleeping experience by elevating the legs or providing the corrective sleeping position needed to alleviate breathing trouble.

Be aware that visco-elastic memory foam is not necessarily for every person. My spouse, who tends to get very hot while sleeping anyway, finds this type of mattress uncomfortable. So shop around and ask a lot of questions–being informed is the best way to make the right decision!

About The Author

Sleep Comfort (http://www.sleep-comfort.com/) offers the very best buy in a high quality adjustable bed. Art Gib is a freelance writer.