On the first visit for a client with a mild brachial plexus stretch injury, which instruction would be most appropriate?

• A. Rotator cuff strengthening
• B. Forward flexion active-assisted
• C. Postural correction and workstation modification
• D. Maintain normal work ac

Answer: (C)

The main idea is to reduce nerve tension from the start by optimizing posture and daily tasks. For a mild brachial plexus stretch injury on the first visit, teaching postural correction and workstation modification helps keep the head, neck, and shoulder in a neutral alignment and minimizes sustained positions that can traction the brachial plexus during work and activities. This approach protects the neural tissue, decreases symptoms, and lays the foundation for gradual rehab.

Rotator cuff strengthening focuses on shoulder muscles but doesn’t address the neural load from posture or daily tasks, so it’s not the best initial instruction when nerve irritation is present. Forward flexion performed actively with assistive support can place the arm into positions that stretch the plexus and may provoke symptoms, which isn’t ideal early on. Maintaining normal work activities without modification risks continuing repetitive strains and can perpetuate symptoms. So, prioritizing postural correction and ergonomic adjustments right away aligns with minimizing neural stress and supports safe progression in rehab.