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From: lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Hybrid Waterbeds
Message-ID: <220@vortex.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Jan-84 05:12:37 EST
Article-I.D.: vortex.220
Posted: Wed Jan 11 05:12:37 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Jan-84 08:45:33 EST
Organization: Vortex Technology, Los Angeles
Lines: 31

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--