The perfect pillow does exist. It just might take you a while to find it

One morning in the middle of the summer, I woke up to an excruciating pain searing through my neck and left shoulder. I immediately booked a deep-tissue massage, but the relief lasted a day before the ache returned. After a few weeks of persistent discomfort, I visited my doctor who referred me to a physical therapist. After doing several tests, the therapist identified the culprit: my pillow. Since I’m a side sleeper, my head was collapsing toward the mattress, throwing my spine out of alignment. I was shocked that something so basic could be the cause of such physical misery. I am far from alone in this struggle. Neck pain is a widespread issue around the world, affecting roughly 30% to 50% of adults annually. Studies show that poor sleep posture and inadequate cranial support are linked to chronic pain. According to spinal specialists, the way to avert this pain is to maintain a neutral spinal alignment, where the neck, shoulders, and spine form a continuous, straight line parallel to the mattress. It’s easier for back sleepers to achieve this goal, but side sleepers struggle. When a pillow fails to bridge the negative space between the ear and the shoulder, muscle strain, nerv…