What should a covering therapist do if an individual with bilateral upper extremity weakness reports shoulder and elbow pain after exercising?

The appropriate action for a covering therapist when an individual with bilateral upper extremity weakness reports shoulder and elbow pain after exercising is to reduce the intensity of exercise by 50% and reassess during the next session. This approach allows for a careful balance between continuing to promote physical activity, which is essential for rehabilitation, and addressing the individual’s concerns about pain.

By reducing the intensity of the exercise, the therapist mitigates the risk of exacerbating the pain or causing further injury while still allowing the individual to engage in therapeutic activities. This also provides an opportunity to determine how the individual responds to a lower intensity, enabling ongoing assessment of their shoulder and elbow pain. Reassessing in the next session allows for tailored adjustments based on the individual’s feedback and recovery progress, ensuring that the exercise program remains safe and effective.

In contrast, ceasing the exercise program completely may lead to detraining and regression in the individual's functional capacity, which is not advisable. Changing the type of exercises prescribed may not address the underlying issues related to the pain experienced and might lead to further complications if not based on an informed assessment. Recommending rest without program changes fails to address the potential causes of pain and neglects the need for a methodical approach to rehabilitation that encourages movement