Nick Roselli OT - June 2020

Nick Roselli OT - June 2020

THE OT OBSERVER

. • Nick Roselli - Therapy N R-QT S peciali z in g in H and and U pper Ext re m i ty R eha b ili t a t ion

JUNE 2020 WWW.NROTHANDREHAB.COM

Queens 61-18 190 St. Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 (718) 454-0842

Bronx 931-A Morris Park Ave.

Manhasset 585 Plandome Rd., Ste. 102 Manhasset, NY 11030 (516) 869-5576

Bronx, NY 10462 (718) 822-4054

THE KEY TO FEELING BETTER

Often, when we’ve been injured or are in pain, our instinct is to stop all activity. We’ve been conditioned to think that rest will help us get better. However, staying active is important. I say it all the time to patients: The body is made to move. Our systems — nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal — are all improved by movement. When you move, they get healthier. Sitting still for too long can cause muscles to atrophy, the heart and lungs to not function as well, and cholesterol to build up. Therefore, it’s better to be active than not active. In the real estate business, they say it’s all about “location, location, location.” In occupational therapy, we say it’s all about “motion, motion, motion.” The way to prevent and treat pain is through movement done under the guidance of your doctor and therapist, of course. I’m not telling you to go do handsprings or run a marathon. It’s important to ease into activity and follow the advice of your therapist. But you do need to move to return strength and dexterity to your muscles. Patients come in with stiff, sore hands, and by the time we’re finished with their treatment plan, they feel so much better and more mobile. It can feel like the injury just healed itself or the pain just went away, but in reality, there’s no magic involved. Being diligent about hand therapy and consistently doing home exercises will provide the effects we planned for. Did you know we now offer virtual telehealth visits for therapy? We will continue to provide this as an option to better meet your needs. Please call us to schedule or if you need any assistance with your teletherapy visit. We’re here for you!

Motion combined with consistency is the key to healing injuries and feeling better. When I see a patient once but then don’t see them again for a while, I worry for them. Especially in the early phases of treatment, professional intervention is so important to getting better. Nutrition plays an important role in our health, too, and when we move more, better nutrition tends to follow. When we spend more time in front of the TV, we tend to turn to comfort foods. Processed foods that are higher in sugar might make us feel good at the moment, but the results of them aren’t worth it. Stick to whole foods, plenty of fruits and veggies, and lean proteins for your health, which will help you feel better. As the weather gets nicer, I know it’s tempting to skip out on your occupational therapy and spend more time outside. I get it, and I love your enthusiasm to be outside. But with the warmer weather and a more active season, it’s more important than ever to stick with your treatment plan. Only by being consistent will you get to a place where you can enjoy the activities you love without pain or injury.

–Nick Roselli, OTR/L,CHT, Owner

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3 TIPS FOR GOOD BRAIN HEALTH FROM HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG

As we age, our bodies change, including our mental functions. Cognitive decline is one of the biggest fears of aging, but it’s not inevitable. Though we’re still learning new things about how our brains work, there’s a lot of scientific research that shows how to keep your brain young. If you want to keep your mind sharp throughout your lifetime, then follow this advice from Harvard Medical School. 1. GET A GOOD WORKOUT. Exercising regularly helps all the muscles and organs in your body, even your brain! A good workout can lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels, which help your brain and your heart. Harvard Health Publishing, a website

of Harvard Medical School, also notes that “animals who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought.” 2. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. Poor mental health can lead to impaired cognitive function. Chronic anxiety, depression, and exhaustion tend to cause low scores on cognitive function tests. But test scores aren't necessarily a sign of future cognitive decline, and Harvard Health Publishing urges readers to maintain good mental health and get restful sleep, as they are “certainly important goals” for improving cognitive function and overall well-being. 3. STAY CONNECTED. It’s not enough to focus on yourself. In order to maintain your long-term cognitive health, you should also focus on your connections with other people. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Strong social ties have been associated with a lower risk of dementia, as well as lower blood pressure and longer life expectancy.” Make new friends, stay in touch with family members, and maintain positive relationships in your life. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly true when it comes to your brain health. Do what you can today to protect your mental functions tomorrow.

2 WAYS TO REVIVE YOUR LIFE THIS SUMMER FEELING RENEWED AT ANY AGE

If the mercurial spring weather has prevented you from getting out as much as you would have liked these past few months, you might be feeling a bit of cabin fever about now. Luckily, you can still introduce positive changes to your life that help you feel healthier and younger. Here are two ways to awaken your body and mind.

activity you may have always wanted to try but never had the chance, like yoga or even a video game. Trying out new things keeps your brain active. You may even discover a new favorite activity along the way!

PAY ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Although more years provide more experience and knowledge, sometimes they also come with heavy baggage. The loss of a loved one, trauma, and other struggles can impact your life in later years. This is why it’s good to practice mindfulness. Take some time to focus on the present. Go for a walk and listen to the world around you, feel the fresh air against your skin, fill your lungs, and take in everything you can see. Meditation is also a good way to spend a few minutes

ADOPT A NEW ACTIVITY.

2 • WWW.NROTHANDREHAB.COM With this better understanding, you can make choices more aligned with your true interests and personality. Think about getting involved with a new As you get older, it’s not uncommon to drift further from the lifestyle you had in your 20s and 30s. Things have settled down, and you know a bit more about who you are, what you enjoy, and what you’re capable of.

to focus on your body in the moment and the things in life that make you happy. Practices like these can help you feel lighter, both physically and emotionally. Growing older doesn’t mean you can’t feel renewed and positive. This isn’t just an impossible idea — it’s a reality.

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DO YOUR HOMEWORK! WHY YOUR AT-HOME THERAPY EXERCISES MATTER FOR HEALING

Seeking rehabilitation through physical or occupational therapy can be one of the wisest choices you make for your health, well-being, and life. But committing to a therapy routine is much more than just showing up for your appointments. YOUR AT-HOME WORKOUT, OR HOME EXERCISE PROGRAM, IS JUST AS IMPORTANT. Working out may seem counterproductive to healing, but your home exercise program is designed specifically for your ailments. Your therapist will tailor an exercise routine for you and teach you the moves while offering specific advice and providing tools to guide you through each movement. If you can commit to doing your home exercise program on a regular basis, then you may just reap the benefit of healing faster. Think about it this way: Occupational and physical therapy heals through movement, yet you typically do not see your therapist for this healing

movement every single day. While rest is vital to the healing process, continuing to keep your joints limber, moving, and functioning at their best is also key! So, by sticking to your home exercise program, you are effectively supplementing the extensive care your therapist provides for you at each appointment. Additionally, doing your at-home routine while you are in therapy prepares you for life after this therapy ends. As much as we love seeing you at your appointments, you’re bound to return to the real world and not see us quite as often. That is the goal, after all! But in order to continue a healthy lifestyle, you have to continue moving your joints and body in a healthy way. Your at-home exercises are a great first step, and your therapist can offer progressions to continue challenging you when those moves become second nature to you and your body. Like many things in life, physical or occupational therapy comes with a need for dedication, but any therapist’s goal is to make this process as easy for you as

possible. If you’re struggling to commit to your at-home exercises or if you need additional instruction, talk to your therapy team. We can help you gain the confidence you need to crush those at- home exercises and get you back to the activities you love.

VEGAN BLT SALAD Inspired by RabbitAndWolves.com

TAKE A BREAK!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 tbsp liquid smoke • 1 tbsp maple syrup • 5 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari), divided

• 1/2 cup water • 2 tsp agave • 2 tsp nutritional yeast • Salt and pepper, to taste • Lettuce of choice • 1/2 cup cherry or sun-dried tomatoes • Croutons (optional)

• 1 cup coconut flakes • 15 oz extra-firm tofu • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted • 2–3 cloves garlic • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. To make the “bacon” bits: In a large bowl, combine liquid smoke, maple syrup, and 1 tbsp of soy sauce (or tamari) and completely coat coconut flakes with the mixture. 3. On a prepared baking sheet, spread out the coated coconut flakes in a single layer. 4. Bake for 10–15 minutes or until the flakes are crispy. Let cool.

5. To make the dressing: In a blender, add tofu, coconut oil, garlic, 4 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari), apple cider vinegar, water, agave, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. 6. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, “bacon” bits, and dressing. 7. Serve chilled.

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. • Nick Roselli - Therapy N R-QT S peciali z in g in H and and U pper Ext re m i ty R eha b ili t a t ion

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

www.nrothandrehab.com

61-18 190 St. Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1. COVER TITLE 1.

STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING PAIN AND AVOIDING INJURY

2. HARVARD'S TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG

HOW TO FEEL RENEWED

AT ANY AGE 3. WHY A HOME EXERCISE PROGRAM IS VITAL TO HEALING 4. BATTLE YOUR FRIENDS AND GET HEALTHIER WITH THESE 3 PLATFORMS

GAME ON! 3 PLATFORMS FOR COMPETING ONLINE AND CRUSHING YOUR FITNESS GOALS

Through smartphone apps like Words With Friends and 8 Ball Pool, you can compete against your loved ones from virtually anywhere, and creators in the fitness world have taken notice. Now, a number of virtual fitness programs offer the same level of friendly competition along with the satisfaction of completing your fitness goals. Below are three platforms to get you started! VIRTUAL RUN EVENTS With all the excitement of a footrace and no crowd to deal with, Virtual Run Events brings 1-mile, 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon races to you. Racers choose a distance to run around their neighborhood, on the treadmill, or at the park, and their friends and family compete in the very same races wherever they happen to be. As a bonus, proceeds from a number of these events also support nonprofit organizations. Visit VirtualRunEvents.com to sign up for a race and lace up your shoes wherever you are. DIETBET, STEPBET, AND RUNBET Looking for a little extra motivation to meet your health and fitness goals? Try involving money and a little friendly competition. DietBet,

StepBet, and RunBet ask each user to place monetary bets on their ability to achieve various wellness goals. You can also challenge your friends and family to place bets and stay motivated together. All the money is placed into a pot, and when you complete your goal, you get your money back. Some users say they’ve even made a profit! Search for DietBet, StepBet, and RunBet in your app store and get started.

FITOCRACY Calling all gamers! This is the fitness platform just for you. Invented by gamers, Fitocracy tracks fitness achievements and rewards users as if they were playing a video game. With quests, badges, and multiplayer gaming options, you’ll be motivated to work hard for your goals. Connect with new online friends or invite your loved ones to join you on Fitocracy. It doesn’t get much better than dueling friends or family in a classic one-on-one wellness competition! Learn more at Fitocracy.com.

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