Abstract: Method and apparatus for achieving various degrees of stress transfer within a resilient support pad comprising slots arranged longitudinally in the pad surface disposed to support the upper torso of a person and a rectangular matrix of slots in the support area below the lower torso. To provide for various levels of stress transfer control the pad itself may comprise two contiguous layers, each slotted to a desired depth. Further variants of the slot structure provide for narrow connecting webs thereacross for allowing controlled stress transfer thereacross.