Goods and Services

Helpful Massage Therapy Products

For a massage therapist to provide the relief their patients seek, massage accessories are often helpful to get the full benefit of their services. These can be as commonplace as the massage table or angled chair, to the specialized products used in the unique varieties of massage. Whether you’re just starting out in massage or have years of experience, a few basic additions to a therapist’s inventory can make a major difference in the effectiveness of the treatment and comfort of their patients.

 

For optimum positioning and comfort, bolsters and body wedges are used to position the body in a way that is most conducive to muscle manipulation and relaxation. Foam bolsters and wedges are routinely used in therapy when patients should be positioned on their sides or in a 3/4 position to target problems areas more easily. Bolsters can also be placed under legs and knees, either for comfort or posture positioning during a massage, and throw pillows large and small can be leaned against by a patient on their side for support during treatment.

 

For therapists who utilize tables, having one with the right surface is an absolute must. A table needs to be soft enough to keep the person comfortable but supported for the duration of the massage. Some tables are overly firm, and would benefit from a covered foam back cushion to soften the surface. In a pinch, even an exercise foam mat placed over the table can make a difference and is easy to sanitize as well. Pillows are also important for supporting or cradling the head, particularly ones that allow patients to rest face-down with cutouts. These specialized pillows need to hold the face comfortably while providing easy breathing.

Get a Shredded Foam Pet Bed

If you have pets that are getting older or recovering from a medical procedure, you’re aware that they need a little extra comfort and care to help them feel better. And even if you have a young, healthy pet, they deserve just as much pampering. Wherever your pet is in life, a shredded foam bed for your favorite furry friend will make them happier and much more comfortable.

Pet beds are made in many different styles and out of various materials, but possibly the most luxurious and versatile bed cushion for pets is one filled with foam. These foam-filled beds can be stuffed with material at any density, high or low, depending on the needs of your pet. This can range from soft, less dense foam just for a light cushion, to a tightly packed high density foam cushion for pets that need the utmost support and softness. The foam types humans use are available for pet stuffing as well, from standard polyurethane foam to memory foam, and even latex foam.

Shredded foam pet beds work in the same way shredded foam pillows or bean bag chairs work for people. The loose, compressible material shifts within its case and is able to form to the contours of a body, human or not, providing pressure-free comfort. Pets that suffer from arthritis or hip dysplasia can have the impact of these conditions lessened by having a softer place to rest, opposed to hard floors. Shredded foam also offers versatility compared to solid pads, as most beds have zippers on their cases that allow the addition, removal, or replacement of stuffing as needed.

Covers come in multitudes of colors and patterns to match the décor of your home, and ones with zippers can be laundered after the filling is removed. The upkeep of a foam pet bed is minimal, aside from an occasional washing or spot cleaning of the cover. Simply fluffing the bed pillow once in a while to move the foam around is all that’s needed to keep it plush and comfortable. If you’re looking for something to keep your canine or feline happy, sleeping on a shredded foam pet bed is a new trick that they’ll be happy to learn.

Reduce Allergies with Hypoallergenic Foam Bedding

Allergens can be found everywhere in life, from your pet to essentially anything found growing in the ground. Other people experience allergies from synthetics and materials used every day in the home, and even non-trigger materials can house irritants and allergens that affect people.

One area people often overlook when attempting to combat their allergies is the bedroom, even though we spend a third of our day in it. Having an allergic reaction to one of the multiple materials used in traditional mattresses is very possible, and the presence of dust mites in older beds can drastically increase allergy symptoms. One of the best ways to reduce the potential for this is by investing in a hypoallergenic foam and latex mattress.

The term hypoallergenic is often thought to mean completely free of all allergy-causing components. In reality, the term only means a reduction in allergens that would normally be present. Therefore, it is still possible to have a foam allergy to a hypoallergenic mattress, but because of the makeup of these materials, they will house fewer allergens than traditional materials.

The reason both memory foam and latex natural foam is considered hypoallergenic has less to do with their structures than what they allow into them. By virtue of their solid structure, dead skin cells that naturally fall off our bodies at night have a difficult time gaining access into the core of a foam mattress. This is important, because skin cells are what dust mites feed off of. Mites do not bite humans, but their microscopic bodies and waste cause the respiratory irritation we identify as an allergic reaction. Using that logic, materials that reduce the ability for dust mites to have a significant presence will also reduce the chances of allergic irritation. There are other methods that help individuals battling allergies, such as mattress encasements. No matter what steps you take, know that there are ways to reduce the irritants present in your home.

How to Glue Together DIY Foam Projects

For DIY fans, foam provides one of the most versatile mediums given its presence in many retail outlets and its ability to be easily cut with non-specialized, in-home tools. Because of this, creating a DIY cushion, seat pads, or even mattresses have become commonplace activities.

In the process of making these items, it is sometimes necessary to glue pieces of foam together to complete a project. To do this, spray adhesive is used, but there are a few rules and tips to follow when bonding two pieces of foam together.

The first thing to do is identify the type of foam you will be gluing. This sounds rudimentary, but different kinds of foam are made of different materials that have different reactions to adhesives. For example, certain types of aerosol adhesive can chemically melt polystyrene. Adhesives are made for all types of foam, so you will be able to find glue that will hold your materials together, not break them down.

For smaller pieces, gluing two sections of foam together is as easy as preparing an area to spray, coating both sides of the foam, and pressing the two pieces together and gently holding. This should be done from one end of the bond and pressed together toward the opposite end, similar to how a book closes. Larger pieces may not be as easily squeezed together, so to bond larger sections like couch cushions, pressing them together as is done with smaller sections and then firmly pinching all the way along the seam will ensure a good bond in your project.

To mount some types of foam sound treatment, you can spray acoustic foam with glue and apply it to walls. A light layer on only the foam can make for a lighter bond for temporary situations, while a heavy coating on the foam and then more glue on the wall will make for a strong bond.

Practice Cake Before You Bake With Foam Dummies

Whether baking is your career or a hobby you’re passionate about, cake decoration is one of the most creative parts of the culinary arts. Cake design has come a long way since the early days of pound cake and plain white frosting, and today, some cakes are closer to architectural than epicurean.

However, baking a cake for each new design idea or just practice is time and resource-consuming, particularly for more labor intensive-designs. To save bakers time and effort, cake dummies exist that recreate the shape of a cake, while providing a reusable and easily decorated exterior.

Polystyrene craft foam has been used in creative ways for years, but a foam cake core is one of the few ventures into the world of food that doesn’t involve packaging. Polystyrene cake forms can be custom-ordered in unique shapes for competitions and special projects, or purchased in pieces like a block set, letting you create traditionally-shaped cakes or mix and match across traditional designs. Frosting decorations can be applied directly to the foam, with only the baker knowing there isn’t cake inside. Cake dummies have become very popular for weddings, as they allow the creation of a breathtaking cake that can be viewed while actual cake is cut and served behind doors in the kitchen. In competitions, the lightweight forms are sturdy enough to build up and out in ways few people would dare with red velvet or angel food.

Best of all, cake dummies are reusable, and after a thorough rinsing with warm water and light soap, you’re left with a clean template, ready to help you plan out your next great desert creation.

Enjoy the Outdoors on Your Patio Furniture

When summer gets going, the last thing anybody wants to do is barricade themselves inside like they did all winter. Even if it’s only lying out for a tan, sipping a cold drink, or watching the setting sun, you can’t beat relaxing outside when the weather’s warm. To get the most out of your summer, patio furniture gives you comfort without the hassle of dragging furniture outside every time you want fresh air.

Custom patio furniture exists in nearly any design and style imaginable, able to match your home and personal preferences. You can have basic plastic chairs to elegant wicker seat cushion furniture and chaise loungers. Simply put, people end up spending more time outside than in when they have a comfortable place to relax.

To hold up to the environment, many outdoor furnishings are made of treated metal, wood, or plastic to withstand rain, wind, and dirt. These aren’t comfortable for long-term enjoyment though, because of their hard surfaces. To fix this, a majority come with soft foam cushions to pad and comfort the user. However, some are made of traditional padding materials which need to be put away during weather so they don’t absorb moisture and rot. If you’ve left these seat pads out in the rain one too many times, many manufacturers will make custom bench cushions and will even use the original fabric covering for a replacement.

Other cushions utilize specialty outdoor foam that will not absorb moisture. These unique materials allow water to drain through their form, with air passing through as well, so they can be left outside all season. This means you don’t have to waste space inside storing non-outdoor cushions, or try to juggle the cushions with everything else you want to bring outside when it’s time to relax.

If you don’t have outdoor furniture, even the simplest folding chair, consider all the relaxation you’re missing out on.

Get Long-Lasting Public Seating with Durable Foam

Public seating requires the greatest degree of durability out of all comfort industry products. Not-so-lightly-used furnishings like restaurant booths, bar seating, and church pews are expected to last for years with minimal maintenance and maximum use.

While the outer fabrics take the most aesthetic abuse, the padding inside is what really determines when a seat is beyond use. If a seat doesn’t look great but still feels good, people won’t mind too much. But if things like bar stool pads or pew cushions are worn out and uncomfortable, it doesn’t matter how fancy they look; people won’t like them. For this reason, it’s important to get durable, top-quality seat padding for public seating applications.

When brand-new, any foam product is going to feel responsive and resilient, whether it was designed to be soft or firm. But the quality of foam varies by design, from materials made to be turned into affordable but occasional-use products, to high-density and high-quality cushioning materials. An example of this is open-cell bonded foam, made from shredded remnants of scrap or recycled foam and kept together with adhesive. This is a very firm foam and durable as well; hence its use as carpet padding underlayment. This material is excellent under vinyl covered, water-proof custom bench cushions in bars and restaurants, as well under soft fabrics for church pews.

Another option for even more durability is closed-cell foam, like gym rubber. These materials don’t have as much softness as open-cell foam, but still provide cushion while offering the most durability. These materials are perfect for bar stools, where most people aren’t going to be demanding a luxury comfort experience. Whether open or closed-cell foam is better for the application, picking high-quality and durable foam padding for commercial and public seating is an investment that will save you money by holding up for years of use and abuse.

Keep Fruit Fresh with Foam

Now more than ever, we are realizing the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables in our diets, as their vitamins and nutrients fight for us, rather than against us. The most difficult aspect of eating these healthy foods however, is keeping them fresh, as they spoil much more quickly than the sleeve of cookies or bag of chips we’re trying to cut out of our diets. Surprisingly, foam can and does play a major role in helping many fruits and vegetables last as long as possible, saving us the money of tossing out rotten food, and the time of not having to go to the store five times a week for fresh food.

In stores, many vegetables are kept in cooled units that mist the food. Keeping near-ripe food from drying out is important so it doesn’t spoil before it even gets purchased. Cushioning foam display liners are a non-absorbent material that won’t dry out food, and also keep it from bruising or rotting from a pressure point. The same idea is applied outside of the cooling shelves in the polyethylene foam packaging seen protecting delicate fruits.

Thin-skinned fruits like nectarines and kiwis are often found in eggcrate style displays that keep the fruit from rolling around as people make their selections, damaging one another. These forms usually have a thin layer of polyethylene foam over them to soften the impact of fruit falling into a newly opened area and keeping the fruit from getting rot spots. For more expensive or delicate fruits, some are individually packaged with a polyethylene webbing to keep them as safe as possible.

In the home, moisture can accelerate rotting, especially on refrigerated fruits like berries. Thin sheets of reticulated fast-drying foam form a layer between the fruit and a hard surface that allows air to pass and drains any moisture away from the fruit, keeping them fresher, longer. A simple paper towel under the bottom foam layer makes for easy clean-up, and you can extend the life of your healthy and tasty fruits and veggies!

Give the Gift of Comfort and Relaxation

One of the best gifts you can give somebody is something that improves their quality life and makes them happy each they use it. This doesn’t require the biggest and most expensive gestures either; much like slow and steady wins the race, small and thoughtful can put a smile on a face. A gift of comfort is one of those things, whether it’s for a holiday, birthday, or just because. Foam products make up some of the best comfort gifts and are affordable and durable, making them a much-loved gift for years to come.

Because of its versatility, foam can be manipulated into a wide range of comfort products for any aspect of an individual’s life. Whether it’s being used in bed, at work, on the road, or just for relaxing around the house, foam products exist that offer major boosts in comfort anybody would appreciate.

For the individual who complains about their rigid mattress, an eggcrate foam mattress topper can improve comfort without affecting the support characteristics of the mattress underneath, making getting to sleep much easier and enjoyable. For people who sit at a desk all day, log hours on the road commuting, or work as a driver, a memory foam wedge can offer contoured softness while providing just enough boost to help reduce back pain. For individuals with circulation issues or people who are simply most comfortable with their legs propped up, a foam pillow in the shape of a round bolster under the knees can make reading, watching TV, or just unwinding after a long day much more pleasant. Soft foam travel pillows can make plane and train rides more relaxing as well, and may even help you catch up on that elusive travel sleep. Even something as basic as a foam kneeling pad for a gardener or gear-head in the garage can make their hobbies more enjoyable. Foam comfort products are an excellent gift for people whether they’re used for getting through the day or enjoying their favorite part of it.

Improve Your Sleep with a Better Sleep Environment

Falling asleep can be pretty hard work; counter-intuitive to the purpose it serves. Some people are lucky enough to be asleep minutes after their heads hit the pillow while others toss and turn in bed for hours trying to fall asleep. Luckily, there are things people can do to help them fall asleep more easily and get a better night’s rest. Here are a few of them:

• Keep a cool room. Studies have found for many people, a room temperature in the 60s may be better for falling asleep. The body’s internal thermostat lowers during sleep, so having to work less to cool down makes it easier to get to the point of sleep. Some beds can help keep a user cooler too, like natural latex foam, which is aerating. And of course, a cool room means you get to get cozy under the covers! Adding a breathable cover for memory foam toppers or beds can help as well.
• Keep a dark room. Light stimulates us and as a result, brighter rooms are harder to fall asleep in for many people. Darkening a room can be done by installing heavy “black-out” curtains if you live in a bright area, and reducing the use of TV and electronics as you prepare for bed. Leaving your computer monitors on or looking at your phone while you try to fall sleep will artificially stimulate you as well.
• Find your comfort zone. Some people may not realize that at the core of their sleep issues is a mattress that isn’t comfortable or supportive enough. For mattresses that are too firm, a foam bed is an excellent boost of comfort without changing how your bed supports your body. Perhaps adding a body pillow to support the legs and arms if you sleep on your sides, or body bolsters under the knees if you’re on your back may be the extra boost in comfort you need.

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