This is Adam from another website that sells a memory foam mattress pad; he gives a basic explanation on what a pad really is and what it does for you.

While any bed can use an adjustable mattress as its top the same cannot be said for any other mattress top fitting an adjustable bed.  This should be fairly obvious as an adjustable bed has many moving parts and actually contorts the bed to fit the need of the individual.  If you were to throw just any old mattress top on there you would force it to experience abnormal wear.  Typically the adjustable mattress pad is used interchangeable in place like hospitals and home care facilities.

The mattress is constructed with a glue heated to extreme temperatures in order to laminate the pieces together.  The reason there is so much precaution used for these mattress tops is because the mattress will be bent and shaped literally thousands of times over.  Materials in beds usually react well to a bounce type of pressure like the pressure placed on it by your body when you lay down.  But to ask the bed to fold and contort is too much strain for the typical bed.

The mattress in engineered from conception to handle this bending and shaping.  A flexing insulator and polypropylene net is secured on top of the spring units to separate them from the combined layers.  Another synthetic pad of fibers is placed over the top of the insulator after which many more layers of high density foam cushioning are added to the mattress.  Finally a pre-sewn mattress cover is placed over the foam made of either cotton or polyester.

The final product is a superior comfort fitting mattress that never needs to be flipped and have layer upon layer of foam allowing it to bend with breaking.  The benefits these mattresses provide are many but here are just a few in case you care wondering whether a mattress like this is for you.

1. Promotes Cycles in which sleep can occur more normally,

2. Reduces skin temperature as a result of the heat absorbing foam,

3. Provides ample spinal column support,

4. Hospital Tested to make certain the effects are beneficial,

5. Recommended by chiropractors for proper back support.

“I purchased a foam topper over 12 months ago and I still enjoy it every day.  I have found it to be soft and supportive of my previous lower back problems.  There are a few things I was not happy with; first when you unroll the topper there is a permeating chemical odor which lasted about twenty one days for us.  The second is pretty common but I would assume for the price I pay this wouldn’t happen – it changes color over time to a yellow dullish brown, in the end it is under the sheets but still.”

“This has definitely been the best purchase I have made for the year.  My only regret is that I did not buy one sooner.  I have never slept better in my life and I no longer suffer from devastating hip pain.  I feel like I’m wrapped in a warm swaddling blanket.  The only negative I have found is that the foam really does absorb your body heat – which means in the nasty summer the heat stays right on top of you.  This wouldn’t be all that bad but I live in Florida.”

“The 2 inch or less memory foam was not worth the price at all.  I feel like I could have received the same benefit from a mattress topper of half the cost.  Additionally the instructions tell you to air out the mattress for twenty four hours before using it – mine took three weeks to lose the smell.  Buy a thicker one, air it out when you get it, OUTSIDE.”

“I purchased a fairly expensive bed but felt like I was missing something, I purchased the memory foam topper and have slept great since then.  My only grievance is that the pad doesn’t really cover my bed, it is about 2 inches short on the sides and 5 inches short on the bottom – 5 inches!”

So if we learn a few things from these reviews it is that you really need to measure your bed before you buy one and make sure you air it out before using it.

There are some variations in the make-up of the memory foam which react differently to hot and cold.  Usually heat allows more flexibility and fluidity to the mattress while cold air will firm up the foam.  This is how the foam is able to conform to your body; it is a result of the heat from the body altering the elasticity of the foam.  Low density foam is not affected by the heat of the body and therefore will not form to your body but rather reacts to the pressure applied by the body to get its form.

People make the purchase of a foam topper because they like the bed they have but are simply looking to get a little more out of it in terms of comfort.  The elastic foam will support the body in ways the typical mattress is not able.  In the past people supplemented their beds with the old foam toppers that were simple constructs of very very low density foam.  These topper serve an initial purpose but pale in comparison and longevity.

Another primary benefit to the memory foam is that the density absorbs motion allowing one individual on one side of the bed to move and twist without affecting the other persons sleeping habits.  As you determine the memory foam topper that will best meet your needs   consider the following;

Density – The more dense the more the pad will react to your heat rather than pressure, it may take a while to sink in but once you do, you are stuck there.

Size – Make sure you select a size that corresponds to the size of your own mattress and provides adequate coverage of the bed space itself.

Thickness – The range is from one to four inches the thicker the mattress pad the more you are changing the comfort level of the bed.

Pricing – Mattress toppers can range anywhere between $40 and $350 dollars so make sure you have the budget before you start shopping.

Later on a commercial entity was formed to market and sell the material as both medically related beds like x-ray machines and sports equipment like football helmet liners.  Later on the company was sold to a firm called Becton and the product line was expanded.

Originally the foam was introduced to the public in the late eighties and Fagerdala World Foams was one of a very small handful of companies willing to put the material through the rigorous production process.  In 1991 they produced the “Tempu-Pedic Swedish Mattress” and this eventually gave rise to the company Tempur World that currently has a significant market share.

The first life changing application of the foam was in the medical industry as previous patients who were bed ridden suffered from pressure points developed by their spring mattress.  These pressure points cut off blood flow and lead to both gangrene and bed sores, the new foam reduced these instances by 80% in most studies.

At first as with most new technology the material was too expensive for commercial in home use, but in recent years the popularity coupled with increased technology in the manufacturing has dropped the price significantly.  Its most common domestic use is in pillows, beds and mattress toppers, but is still used as wheelchair cushioning and in many hospitals around the world.  Because the foam retains heat they are often used for people with muscle pain as a way to increase blood flow and reduce tension.

There are some hazards to watch out for when considering the purchase of these products.  The chemicals used to create the foam are very potent and often cause headaches if not aired out properly.  The smell is similar to paint and the long term affects are unknown.  Careful precaution should be taken with people who suffer from chemical sensitivity or asthma related issues as these may be increased with the pad.

Manufactures also caution the use of the foam around babies because with the density of the foam the infant may find it hard to turn over which can lead to injury, suffocation and or death.

The great news is that with proper care and resources those issues can be totally resolved.  All the hours you are tossing and turning in bed can be converted into blissful sleep.  By adding a memory foam topper to your bed you can finally get that great nights rest.

Using a topper is easy because all you have to do is lay it over an existing mattress there is no need for the added hassle of buying a totally new bed.  Most of these toppers are two to four inches thick and can be even thicker if the individual needs it.  Remember that the thicker the mattress the more comfort you are trying to get, so only get super thick ones if you need a drastic change.

The toppers simply offer more comfort and support to the body which can solve many sleep deprivation issues.  It should be noted however that if you suffer from chronic sleep deprivation and have tried a variety of remedies you may need to seek medical council to make sure the problem isn’t more a more serious condition.

If you own an older or aging mattress a topper is a great way to get a few more years of life from the mattress, and if you are purchasing a new mattress the topper can add several years to the overall life of the bed.  This is because there will be more pressure absorbed by the topper and less passed on to the bed, with less pressure on the bed you will be able to get more life from the mattress.

There are a few different kind of mattress toppers ranging from latex to memory foam to simple foam, all of which have advantages and cost differences, make sure to pick the one that works best for you.