ORTHOPAEDIC MATTRESS

Water beds and mattresses

The water bed was probably the first body contouring mattress available and although it has developed a reputation as an extravagant luxury, it does have good orthopedic properties.

Water mattresses automatically shape themselves to the contours of the human body and, as with memory foam, those who use them describe the sensation as being similar to weightlessness or, not surprisingly, something like a floating sensation.

Water beds come in a range of shapes and styles with hard or soft sides and mattresses that sit within a frame or appear to project out beyond it. Many water beds have a very stylish appearance and they are surprisingly durable.

Waterbeds and waves

Modern water beds are classified by a range of mattress designations that relate to the amount of movement that the water motion can create within the mattress. This means that if you want your mattress to be free from any wave or rocking motion, you can specify the appropriate designation.

These designations start at free-flow (a comparatively high level of movement before stabilization is returned), to motionless and fully-stabilised (where the mattress fluctuations are barely noticeable).

The stabilization of the water within the mattress is achieved by the incorporation of energy absorbing baffles within the mattress. Baffles can also be used to divide the sleeping zones in double or king sized beds to prevent one sleeper from disturbing another.

Life span and extras

Water beds and mattresses can last for 20 years or more and their orthopaedic qualities will continue for the duration of their life. They cannot suffer from sagging or lumps and will perform as if new until their use is terminated.

The only maintenance required is either, the addition of a water conditioner, or periodic replacement of the mattresses water.

Most water beds have thermostatically controlled heaters and the mattresses remain cool during warm weather.