There are a lot of mattress types with one goal and that is to provide comfortable sleep. Almost all the beds are comfortable but in the long run they may cause allergic reaction or back pain. This is why water mattress was invented which not only provides comfort but also supports the body along with some therapeutic advantages. Actually a water mattress or waterbed is nothing but a large vinyl sack full of water. Nowadays this type of mattresses is very popular because doctors recommend them for their therapeutic capabilities.
A form of waterbed was designed by a Scottish doctor Neil Arnott in early 19th century. His waterbed was known as Dr Arnott’s Hydrostatic Bed. His intention was to make a bed for the invalids on which there was lighter bedding to avoid bedsores. Unfortunately Arnott didn’t patent it, allowing anybody to make a bed on this design. In 1968 the modern water mattress we use today was made by Charles Prior Hall. During the 1970s this consumer item became extremely popular in the United States. In 1971 Hall managed a patent on his water mattress in San Francisco, which he called “the pleasure pit”. Continue reading to know more about water mattress.
Benefits of Water Mattresses
Primarily waterbeds are of two types and each type has its own benefits. There are soft-sided and hard-sided beds. A water mattress molds around the sleepers body, especially the soft-sided ones and provides maximum comfort. A soft-sided water mattress has a water filled mattress inside a rectangular shaped surround of foam which is zippered in a fabric casing and placed on a platform. Such mattresses may look like a regular one. Well, it is designed like this to fit in existing frame of bedroom furniture. Generally the platform looks like a box spring or normal foundation so nobody knows what’s inside. The hard-sided waterbeds have a water filled mattress inside the rectangular wooden frame placed on a plywood deck which sits on the platform. As the mattress is filled with water it can get hot in the summer and cold in winter but there is no room for sweating or freezing. Standard water mattresses have thermostat controls so the sleeper can adjust the preferred temperature of the mattress. There is dual water mattress available which allows two sleepers to control the temperature of the bed separately. It allows both sleepers a particularly controlled cool or heat zone.
Water Mattress Pros and Cons
Pros
- The bed molds to the body exactly to minimize pressure, particularly on the spine and around the joints
- By removing pressure waterbeds allow the spinal area to relax fully which aids in the cure of back ache for some individuals and for invalids it reduces the risk of bedsore
- No problem of dust mites and the washable mattress cover can be cleaned to keep the mattress good looking
- Firmness of the mattress can be adjusted as desired
Cons
- Water mattress can get leaked anytime by a pen or pencil etc
- Heating a water mattress is costly as it needs a lot of energy.
- As it weights a lot, moving a waterbed is a very tricky process. Water has to be drained out and disassemble the frame holding it. reassemble the frame again then refill the mattress with water and still the water is waiting to be heated which is a time consuming process
As we waste over 30% of our life sleeping so the bed we sleep on is very important. Water mattresses are recommended by the doctors for a healthy sleep. Getting and maintaining such a mattress can be tricky but it is beneficial for health in the long run.
