Monday, July 4, 2011

Tempurpedic Mattress Topper

A Tempurpedic mattress topper has become very popular over time. Due to the cost of the memory foam mattress a memory foam mattress topper can save you money, but be aware of cheaper imitations. There are a few guidelines for density, construction, the pressure and body movement reduction nature and warranty on each product. You should be able to distinguish between a good memory foam mattress topper and a discounted replication. I received a memory foam mattress topper for Christmas. I needed one because I have degenerative disk disease in my lower back making it very uncomfortable to fall asleep easy and stay asleep throughout the night. I would also wake up with stiffness and pain in my lower back which would take several hours to overcome.

[caption id="attachment_1333" align="alignright" width="253" caption="Tempurpedic Mattress Topper - No More Mornings with Lower Back Pain"][/caption]

I knew I couldn’t afford a memory foam mattress and my coil mattress is still in good condition. My 3 inch memory foam mattress topper is a great sleep aide due to how it contours to my body alleviating pressure on my shoulders and hips. I also find that this limits the number of times I turn over during the night. The reason it contours to your body is due to the fact that the foam is temperature sensitive and as a result becomes softer in areas where it absorbs your heat.

Density determines how well the memory foam mattress topper will wear over time. Tempur-Pedic has a density over 5 lbs per square foot. This high density will wear well and allow the user to feel as if he is floating on air. When looking for a memory foam mattress topper it is recommended to be at least 5 lbs or it will break down quickly and not support your pressure points over time. If the retailer doesn’t tell you the density or it is of lower quantity (2.5-3.0 lbs), it is best to shop elsewhere.

Next is the construction of the mattress topper. Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress toppers are composed of their own TEMPUR® material which is not the same as generic memory foam—it’s more comfortable, supportive, and durable. This material is engineered by Tempur-Pedic scientists and manufactured in company-owned facilities, upholding the highest quality standards.

If you buy a Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress make sure you get a removable, washable terry cloth cover as this will allow the air to flow between you and the mattress topper. The memory foam mattress cover is used to protect the memory foam mattress and to keep your body comfortable and cool. It is waterproof yet breathable and has an allergen barrier that deters bacteria and dust mites. The Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress cover comes with a ten-year warranty.

One of the main features of memory foam is the reducing nature of the material. Originally used for NASA then in hospitals and nursing homes, Tempur-Pedic mattresses have proven in clinical trials that they provide a much lower surface pressure rating than air or coil mattresses by reducing pressure sores.

One reason you may toss and turn during the night may be due to your coil mattress as the springs pushing upward and your body weight bearing down causing your skin and muscles to develop sore spots. Especially when you lay on your side your pressure points will be your hip and your shoulder, this leaves your body weight unevenly distributed causing neck cramps or a sore lower back. The Tempurpedic memory foam mattress topper allows your weight to be distributed across the surface and your hip and shoulder will sink in and the foam will contour to other areas providing support for your whole body.

This feature also allows the foam to resist motion transfer thus creating body movement reduction, which is great if your partner has a different work schedule than you. There are two ways to test the body movement reduction in a memory foam mattress topper:

First sit on the edge of the bed and have a friend sit on the opposite edge. Close your eyes and ask them to stand up. Did you feel any motion?

Second is the 'wine glass test'. Place a glass full of wine on the edge of the memory bed. Sit on the opposite edge and repeatedly stand up and sit down. If the bed is made of good memory foam like a Tempur-Pedic, the wine will not spill. Do you remember the Tempur-Pedic's® commercial on television showing a person jumping on a bed with glass of red wine? Do you sleep with a person that tosses and turns during the night? By sleeping on a memory foam mattress pad these movements will not affect the other person.

It is true that when you first open your memory foam mattress pad it has an industrial smell, but this gradually dissipates over time. It is recommended to let it breathe for 72 hours without making the bed as this will help the smell to go away faster. Also letting it breathe for 72 hours allows the foam to expand to its full potential. I found that my 3 inch mattress topper covered my entire queen size mattress in 3 hours.  A full vs queen size bed cost a little less and takes less time to expand.

[caption id="attachment_1334" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Tempurpedic Mattress Topper - Doesn't Transfer Motion"][/caption]

Finally the product warranty will tell you how long the manufacturer expects the product to last. With a Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress or any high quality bed you should at least expect 20 years of warranty. Also Tempur-Pedic will offer a prorated warranty which means that the company pays less towards damages or claims over time. Not only should you read the warranty but you should check the retailers return policy also. Many stores will offer 30 to 90 days in which you can return a mattress that is in good condition. If you are a first time memory foam buyer and not sure how you will adjust to it, make sure you can return or exchange it prior to purchase.

Before considering any memory foam mattress topper do some online research. Make sure your bed is still in good enough condition to warrant a topper as it shouldn’t dip in the middle or be either too hard or too soft. Your body heat only extends down about 3 inches, so that the underlying layer remains firm in its original shape to provide support. This is why a uniform underlying mattress is so important. This also means your memory foam mattress pad should be at least 3 inches thick. Remember the thickness of the pad is relative to its cost. I hope these guidelines will help you if you are buying a memory foam mattress topper, as you can save by buying a Tempur-Pedic and enjoying it for many years to come.

Tempur-Pedic ® is a registered trademark of Dan-Foam A/S Corporation. We do not sell the Tempur-Pedic ® brand and we are in no way affiliated with Tempur-Pedic ®. See the Tempur-Pedic website for more information about their prices, warranties, product descriptions and return policy. The content provided in Tempurpedic Mattress Topper is for information purposes only, intended to raise the awareness of different solutions for you or your families sleep problems and should not be considered medical advice. For medical diagnosis and treatment, please see your qualified health-care professional.

 
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3 comments:

  1. Where can I purchase a 3inch one from.
    And what is it worth for a Queen size bed.
    How do these toppers compare to the 4cm visco elastine toppers that you can purchase at a Harvey Norman store as we like the idea of a 3 inch topper

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  2. Found these two on Amazon.com Queen Size 3 Inch Thick, 4 Pound Density Memory Foam Mattress Bed Topper and Sleep Innovations 3-Inch Sculpted Memory Foam Queen Mattress Topper. I don't know if you have a Kohls but they are having a sale on their toppers. http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstore/home.jsp;jsessionid=pjpXPJJDVQ8Gzh4Lx2vBSQNcg145Bk1TVgtL17qPLZJYJQ1ddq6V!1858820699!693030591. You can probably order online depending where you live.

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  3. Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post!
    It is the little changes that make the most important changes.
    Many thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete