Abstract: A therapeutic bed includes a body support apparatus having first and second ends and extends longitudinally therebetween. A wave production mechanism causes transverse waves to repetitively form and travel at a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined periodicity along a longitudinal axis of the body support from the second end to the first end thereof. The new bed is intended to decrease the occurrence of pressure sores upon a body supported on the bed by periodically varying the pressure asserted along the length of the body support apparatus against a body supported thereon.