Seatbelt trick
 

Not sure if I shared this tip before. Recently @Iamsooodonewiththis posted:
I also had problems because I already had so much tightness in that area that even small things like a seatbelt or a heavy jacket would irritate my TOS.

The trick I use is that after clicking in the seatbelt, I pull it out as far at it goes and then hook it on the manual/emergency brake. This leaves the cross strap "hovering" in the air in front of me, instead of pressing on me.

Definitely helps me. Hope it helps you.

Yeah, I'm not sure how safe this trick is in case of accident.

I think the swim noodle is a great idea. I think I'll go to Target later today.

I'll post a pic in the other thread if the "Limoges Splint" works. :)

How do you all deal with the head rests in new cars

They make me VERY dizzy

I take my head rest out. I use a very small pillow and put it in between my shoulder blades. I bought velcro strips and attached it at just the right spot on my car seat (though I don't seem to be using it much these days). I helped keep my chest out and shoulders back while driving. It also keeps me close to the steering wheel so my arms don't have to be outstretched.

I move the seat close (not too close), and lower the steering wheel so that it basically sits on my lap. I keep my elbows at my side and rest my forearms on my legs and grasp the wheel at the bottom with my palms turned up. I avoid having my arms extended out or having palms down as this rotates my shoudlers in (bad for me).

Seatbelt: I put the top strap of the seat belt behind me, so essesntially all i am left with is a lap belt (this may be too unsafe for some --- another thing I tried was putting the shoulder strap under my left armpit. This was better than over the shoulder, but still caused some probs). I got a ticket once and the motorcycle cop told me my seatbelt wasn't on properly and I told him I have a medical condition that prevents me from putting it over my shoulder. I also pointed out that the seatbelt law is absurd and reminded him that he does not wear a seatbelt on his motorcycle. He retorted that he wears a helmet. I responded back that I have a crumple zone and air bags. Also, I asked if I wore a helmet while driving a car, would I be excused from the seatbelt law? He had no response and dropped the issue. Also, I later found out that he dropped my ticket for not coming to a full stop at the stop sign.

Sleeping: I can sleep on my back or my sides (mostly the right side). I used to sleep on my stomach but can't do that anymore. While sleeping on my right side, it is impt for me to have something to support my left arm so it stays at least shoulder width. I bought a body length pillow at BB&B. I snuggle up to it every night and it keeps my left arm up.

I tried sleeping on my back for months, but wasn't able to.

(Just wanted people to know that I got pulled over for not coming to complete stop at stop sign --- not for seatbelt. As he was at my driver side window, he commented on my seatbelt. When I told him I have a medical condition, he was going to let it go. I chose to debate him about the seatbelt law itself considering he wasn't wearing one as a motorcycle cop.)

Yeah I had to flip my head rest around but I didn't know what else to do!

It's better than no seatbelt or putting it behind me. No tickets either. I'll just have to hope that combined with the air bag, I'll be alright.

I love TOStrojan's retort "I asked if I wore a helmet while driving a car, would I be excused from the seatbelt law?" Hahahaha! :D

The headrests in all newer cars (2009+ I think) are specially designed to prevent whiplash injuries and used to be hell on me (first whenever I rented a car...then after I purchased a newer car). Unfortunately they are only adjustable up and down and cannot be tilted forward or back. It wasn't until after I started wearing the IntelliSkin garment that I realized that the headrest was in the proper position and my posture was the true issue.

I think it depends on the car. I have a 2007 Honda fit and even healthy people say its uncomfortable so im pretty much screwed. No telescopic steering wheel either