Many people today who have been looking for the best sleep experience are finding it with a memory foam mattress. First developed about 30 years ago by NASA, this technology has been used since then both for normal use and for medical reasons. The uniform support is gives is a great boon for many people with back trouble or with arthritis. This has been recognized by the numerous doctors who have recommended the memory foam mattress to their patients. Of course those in good health have good reason to enjoy its comfort also.

The conventional spring mattresses used by most people have a significant drawback in that the metal spring construction can cause lack of comfort due to pressure points. The sleeping surface becomes more irregular over the life of the mattress as the springs age. What the body wants is uniform support, and a memory foam mattress provides this due to its unique properties. It reacts to the body temperature and weight of the person, gently conforming to the individual’s body shape. In this way it gives support right where support is required and also gives where required. So rather than tossing and turning through the night, people instead find that they are much more comfortable.

The success of memory foam has led to a pretty big diversity of products out there. So when it is time to choose one, it can be pretty confusing. As it turns out the most important criteria to take into consideration are the density of the memory foam and also the height.

The density of the foam determines the quality and feel that it has. The foam usually comes in densities ranging from 2 lb to 5 lb density, though there are some 6 lb to 8 lb foams available also. A 2 lb density foam will not have the full range of memory foam properties in it. At the other end of the scale, at the very high densities such as 6 lb and above, people often report experiencing more resistance than they would like when they move from position to position.

For most people the most comfortable density is in the middle range of 3 lb to 5 lb. On these memory foams, as you move from position to position, the foam gently moves with you. The gentle reaction of the foam gives the softer feeling of almost floating on the surface, often reported by users.

Any of these three densities would be a good choice for most. The 3 lb and 5 lb memory foams tend to be slightly firmer, each for a different reason. The 3 lb foam is slightly firmer because it has a little less of the quality of responding to body temperature and body shape and therefore doesn’t have as much give. The 5 lb density is firmer because denser memory foam in general is firmer, with a slightly slower recovery time. Usually this 5 lb level works the best for big people. For others, the 4 lb memory foam ends up being a happy medium and feels the softest. It has just the right amount of give, with a good recovery time, so the foam moves with you as you move from one position to another.

The height of the memory foam is the second important factor. A memory foam mattress is constructed with a memory foam layer on top, with base layers under that which are made of either polyurethane support foams or latex foam. The top memory foam layer ranges from 2 to 5 inches in height. Memory foam toppers, which can be placed on an already existing mattress, also are made in the same height range.

For the majority of people a 2 inch height for the mattress is enough. For heavier people, a 3 inch height is recommended. A height of 4 or 5 inches is a bit excessive for most, as now there is the possibility that they will feel they are sinking into the foam too deeply.

Rick Abranson has 10 years experience with memory foam products helping people find remedy for sleep problems and back and joint pain. Visit us to find out more about the memory foam mattress.

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