On 01/10/2013 18:42, sacha wrote:
On 2013-10-01 16:17:04 +0000, S Viemeister said:

On 10/1/2013 3:22 PM, Spider wrote:

Since you're so impressed, perhaps you would be happy to answer a
long-standing query I have with regard to memory foam mattresses?

Although it can be demonstrated that they do 'remember', say, the
pressure of a hand (as in the advertising), how do we know they're
remembering a good posture, as opposed to a bad posture?

I've never thought that 'memory' foam was a particularly good name...

What my back appreciates about it, is that, for instance, when I lie
on my side, my well-rounded hip sinks in to the mattress, but my waist
is still properly supported - it allows my spine to be straight,
rather than curving sideways to fit the flat, firm, surface of my
previous sprung mattress.

In very hot, humid weather, I add a fluffy cotton-covered mattress
pad. It slows down the shape-accommodation of the foam, but stops me
feeling hot and sticky.

It would probably be better if it was just called a contour foam, or
something of that sort. I was highly sceptical because my last 'foam
mattress' was on a boat and its memory was altogether too good. It
adopted all the dents and hollows of which the human shape is capable
and held onto them indefinitely, after a very few months. My experience
with the Tempur pillow is that it simply supports the head and neck and
there is absolutely no shape of me left behind! And I am *very* fussy
about my pillows because not only can they affect my balance next day
but also my sleep each night. Given David's back problems I'd certainly
recommend one of those, too. I have two ordinary pillows on top for
reading etc. and Ray sleeps with one on top of his Tempur pillow. But
I find that the height, density and 'slope' of that pillow is absolutely
perfect. My daughter, who has had recent neck surgery, lower back
surgery (and is facing more, probably on her lower back) absolutely
swears by the pillow. She hasn't yet bought the mattress only because
she's waiting to see what her surgeon's final pronouncement is! Otoh,
an 80 year old friend who had back surgery several times, a long time
ago, has a Tempur mattress and is totally enamoured of it. I really
don't know if one make is better than another so can only speak for
those I know who have bought that particular brand.

Looking at Memory foam mattresses on line I saw a Tempur mattress on
offer for only £2100,
Well a reasonably good mattress for around £400 would leave £1700 for
remedial massage on my back by an attractive young lady.
No choice.