nonh@utzoo.UUCP (Chris Robertson) (01/10/84)
I have a hybrid waterbed too, and just love it. Being able to use regular sheets was a big plus for me, since I didn't feel up to a complete new set of sheets. Warm, comfortable, comforting. My cats love it too -- especially the exact middle, when I'm in it... --Chris Robertson
pellegri@ittral.UUCP (Dan Pellegrino) (01/10/84)
I'm convinced. I want one. Please post info on who makes and/or sells them. Dan Pellegrino ittvax!ittral!pellegri
lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein) (01/11/84)
Some years ago (probably about four) UCLA orthopedics conducted a comprehensive study of beds and their relationship to back problems. I'm quoting from memory, but the gist of the report was that the "softer" the mattress, the worse the bed for the back (the spine, in particular). Ordinary waterbeds were found to be best, since they conform precisely to the body contour, and provide even support over the entire body surface. Soft mattresses are apparently bad since they allow the body to sag a great deal without providing even support -- at any given time parts of the body will be completely unsupported, will sag into the mattress, and be subject to physical strain. That's why a firm conventional mattress is better than a soft one. Now, the study found the hybrid beds to be worst of all, since they effectively simulated a very soft mattress. The body sags a good deal more than on a conventional soft mattress, but unlike a conventional waterbed, the hybrid is "solid" enough to not provide overall-body support. The study didn't claim that everyone who used a hybrid would develop back problems, but their conclusions indicated that those beds resulted in the most physical complaints over the study period, while conventional waterbeds provided the least. It should be noted that many persons with severe back problems have found great relief quickly upon switching to a conventional waterbed. The UCLA study reported that persons with back problems who tried hybrids generally got worse quite quickly. Like any other study, you can agree or disagree, but don't say you haven't been warned... --Lauren--