Nick Roselli OT - March 2021

Nick Roselli OT - March 2021

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

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

Bronx 931-A Morris Park Ave.

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

MARCH 2021

Bronx, NY 10462 (718) 822-4054

WWW.NROTHANDREHAB.COM

When you’re young, you don’t realize just how much it’s true: Mom knows best — every time. That’s why I wanted to honor my mom for International Women’s Day this month. She is not only an incredible mom but also an immigrant who made a great life in America from nothing. She truly didn’t have anything before arriving in the states. My parents grew up on farms in Italy, and they left with nothing more than high school educations and no money or knowledge of English. All she knew was how to cook, clean, and sew — and that’s just what she did as a part-time seamstress and full-time mother once she arrived in the USA. I learned a lot of lessons from her perseverance. The first lesson my mom taught me was the importance of a work ethic and how an amazing work ethic can make the best of a bad situation. My mom worked hard all her life. Back when other families would buy their tomato or pasta sauce from the stores, she’d make her own sauce in enormous batches that lasted the whole year. It was a necessity because we couldn’t afford sauce any other way — and, yet, it was more delicious than any sauce you will ever taste! When I look back on that, I’m always struck by how much work it was for her. She cleaned all the tomatoes by hand, cut all the ingredients, and went through multiple batches while making the sauce for hours. Now, her homemade sauces have become a novelty, versus a necessity as kids growing up, that my siblings and I always look forward to. Another lesson my mom taught me was to “always finish my plate.” Everything we did was for our survival. For example, she always made sure we had food in our stomachs and that nothing went to waste. Even if it was tough, it has helped me prevent waste in many areas of my life since then. Other lessons are probably things you’ve heard from your mom before too: You should always pick up your socks from the floor, LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM MY FIRST-GENERATION ITALIAN IMMIGRANT MOM TRIBUTE TO A WORLD-CLASS MOTHER

and you’ll always find your lost things where you last left them. It might sound strange, but she was a true role model in getting things done. If you lost something, "where you left it is where you'll find it." She taught me that if your sock is on the floor, nobody will pick it up. You have to do it yourself. As it turns out, fixing problems as I see them (or last saw them) has become an important skill as an adult. The lesson here is that, if you don’t like something, you have to handle it and don’t expect others to. Lastly, she’s taught me that, if nobody else is there for you, Mom will be there. Even though she couldn’t help me with my homework during school, she always made sure I got it done. Even though she doesn’t always understand the dilemmas going on in my life, she’s there to support me. In my last cover, I talked about the humble beginnings of my practice. When I was having difficulty getting my hands on a piece of therapy equipment, my mom sewed something together to simulate that equipment. I showed her what I needed, asked if it could be done, and she did it flawlessly. She’s an amazing mom who deserves all the credit in the world, so International Women’s Day seemed like the perfect time to do so. Thank you, Mom, for working so hard to provide for us. Your lessons are a part of me forever.

–Nick Roselli, OTR/L,CHT, Owner

• 1 WWW.NROTHANDREHAB.COM

Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com

MIND OVER MATTER HOW YOUR EMOTIONS AFFECT YOUR HEALING

When combating pain, patients tend to think physically. They recognize how much the pain hurts them or hinders their ability to do what they love, and they focus on the physical ways this can be improved. However, researchers have found that this isn’t the only way to deal with and overcome pain. Psychological researchers have discovered that merely thinking about a time when you were happy, sad, or scared, can cause a real, visceral reaction from your body. You can begin to sweat and experience a faster heartbeat when you recall that time you were scared, or you can genuinely smile or laugh as you remember a pleasant memory with a loved one. That same idea can be applied to healing from a physical injury, too. According to researchers at Harvard University, being in a constant state of anxiety, stress, or depression — as is common when experiencing an injury — only heightens your body’s fight-or-flight response. This raises your blood pressure and inflammation, resulting in increased pain. Essentially, your body is trying to survive and is working overtime to succeed. It’s compensating for the area in pain, and all energies are going into what’s wrong, rather than preventing other issues. This is the mind-body connection, and it has a common effect on patients healing from injuries, cardiac events, major surgeries, and other medical events. Without proper intervention, diminished mental stamina can wreak havoc on your body. It’s vital that you prioritize your mental health as you heal from an injury, and you can start with these three tips.

Keep a Journal: It might sound cheesy to write down your thoughts each day, but a journal can be the tool you need to pinpoint specific stressors. You might find you have a consistent diminished mood in the early afternoon or after interacting with a coworker. By identifying these triggers, you can better combat them. Find Social Support: Life’s better with someone by your side, isn’t it? Find and surround yourself with people who motivate you most. Ensure your circle has people you can trust, vent to, and who are honest and supportive. Seek Professional Help: A physical therapist can help you find the relief you need physically, while a psychiatric therapist can help you navigate your emotions and mental hurdles in overcoming this pain. Therapy is not just for those with diagnosed conditions. It can help you sort out your emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms for improved well-being. Recovering from pain is never an easy road so don’t be your own worst enemy. Our team is here to support you during your physical journey, be the cheerleaders you need mentally, and offer any suggestions we can to increase your mental well-being. Just ask us how!

2 • WWW.NROTHANDREHAB.COM

Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com

LAUGH MORE, AGE LESS WHY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU

As we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often. At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart.

One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions.

In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding. When there are language barriers, laughing together

can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures. The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates powerful memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships. Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too.

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA

TAKE A BREAK!

PIZZETTES Inspired by EatingWell.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• 1 lb prepared whole- wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions • 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped • 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn • Zest of 1 orange

1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4.Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. 5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts' edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.

• 3 WWW.NROTHANDREHAB.COM

Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com

. • 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.

LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM MY FIRST-GENERATION ITALIAN IMMIGRANT MOTHER

2. NEED TO HEAL? CHECK YOUR MIND FIRST! 3. THE EASIEST ANTI-AGING TACTIC? LAUGHTER ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES 4. 3 SIMPLE HAND EXERCISES TO AVOID CRAMPS

STOP CRAMPING PALMS WITH 3 SIMPLE HAND EXERCISES Hand health is so easy to take for granted — but the minute we start to lose it, we realize just how important it is. If you’re using your hands to type, scroll on your phone, or do other repetitive motions every single day, this can cause problems later on. Luckily there are some simple hand exercises you can do to keep your joints healthy! A quick tip before we get started: If your hands are feeling painful or stiff, try warming them up with heating pads or soaking them in warm water before your exercises. This will make it easier to stretch and move them. No. 1: Finger Stretch You want to be able to use your hands pain-free and with flexibility. Finger stretches help ensure that’s the case for a lifetime. To relieve pain and improve the range of motion in your hands, first, place the heels of your hands on a flat surface. Then, gently straighten your fingers until they are as flat as possible — but don’t force your joints. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat at least four times with each hand. No. 2: Finger Lift To increase your range of motion and flexibility in your fingers, put your hand in a flat, finger stretch position. But instead of

focusing on keeping your hand as flat as possible, try gently lifting one finger at a time before slowly lowering them. You can also lift all your fingers and thumbs at once, then lower. Repeat for 8–12 times on each hand.

No. 3: Thumb Touch Almost all of our tasks require some coordination between our fingers and thumbs. That’s what this exercise is all about. Press the tips of your thumb and index finger to form an “o” shape with your hand. Create the same shape with your thumb and middle finger. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat this with the rest of your fingers, then do the whole exercise for a total of four times. Going through this workout routine might seem unusual at first, but considering how important our hands are to our daily lives and communication, you certainly won’t regret keeping them in shape. Happy stretching!

4 • WWW.NROTHANDREHAB.COM

Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com