Waterbed mattresses have come a long way since the 1970’s, when they were simply large vinyl or rubber bags of water encased in a wooden frame.  Today’s waterbed mattresses come in dozens of styles and designers have eliminated most of the problems the earlier versions had.  In fact, many health care professionals will tell you that they are a great investment for improved sleep and decreased body pain.

If you’re looking for a new mattress for your home, don’t rule out a waterbed mattress until you consider these advantages:

1. Waterbed mattresses provide support with no pressure points.  Anyone with arthritis or other kinds of joint pain will tell you that the most uncomfortable thing about lying down is the pressure on joints.  A waterbed mattress gives at every point on your body, cradling it as though you are floating.  No pressure is put on any one spot, so you don’t wake up with stiff joints or tender points.
2. Even support for your spine means restful sleep.  Many people toss and turn during the night because the spine isn’t aligned properly.  As the night wears on, they shift frequently to get into a comfortable position.  On a waterbed mattress, the entire spine is aligned in its natural position, taking pressure off of discs stressed from the day and allowing a deeper, more natural sleep.
3. You can adjust the temperature of your waterbed mattress.  This is one the greatest advantages of a waterbed, especially in cooler climates.  Because the water is heated, you can set the thermostat for the exact temperature you prefer and it will cradle you in warmth night after night.  All you will need is a light blanket on even the coldest nights because the heat of the bed beneath you will be trapped by the blanket and cocoon you in warmth.
4. Waterbeds are great for aching muscles.  The warmth of the waterbed mattress will also relax sore, stiff muscles (much like a heating pad) and will lower your blood pressure while increasing circulation.  Lower blood pressure and improved blood flow both contribute to a restful night’s sleep.  Most people who sleep on a waterbed find they have fewer tension headaches as well.
5. You can sleep in any position comfortably on a waterbed mattress.  Even pregnant women can sleep on their stomachs when using a waterbed because the water simply displaces to allow room for their stomachs, cradling their bodies with gentle support.
6. Dust mites and other allergens are eliminated with a waterbed mattress.  Many allergy specialists suggest waterbeds for their patients because the vinyl covering can’t harbor dust mites or other allergens.  You simply wash your bedding every week in hot water and periodically wipe down the vinyl mattress with warm, soapy water – no more allergies from sleeping in a dust-gathering bed!
7. You can find waterbed mattresses that look just like a standard mattress.  Today’s waterbed mattresses look just regular innerspring mattresses, and don’t have the wave effect of earlier models because the water is held in numerous chambers to provide less “roll.” 
8. Waterbed mattresses don’t “break down” like traditional mattresses.  We’ve all had mattresses that started out great, and then began to sag, get lumpy or simply bog down in spots after just a few years.  Not a problem with waterbed mattresses - they have the same feel and support at ten years as they did on day one!

With so many advantages to owning a waterbed mattress, you should consider investing in one.  They last for years and will generally last longer than your old innerspring mattress with less care and more comfort.  With so many advantages, you should take another look at the old classic, the waterbed mattress.