Question
Hi Dr Newhart,

I am a surfski paddler and am currently suffering from a
neuropraxia of the long thoracic nerve.

I assume i injured it before i attempted a long distance 4
day race. i had one or two long paddles prior to the race
where my left shoulder got sore. i thought i had maybe
tweaked it in the surf etc.

i was unable to race after 40km of paddling due to the pain,
but managed to finish the race slowly. i took 2 weeks off
and upon returning to gym while doing a bridge i noticed my
left shoulder blade sticking out my back.

i proceeded to go to my physio and chiropractor for
treatment. after 6 months i attempted to get back into
training and the shoulder packs up after about an hour of
paddling. i have since been to a neurologist and done a
nerve conduction test which confirms my neuropraxia of the
long thoracic nerve effecting my serratus anterior.

Hadyn

Is there any thing that i can do or supplement to take to
aid the recovery? will pysio and chiro help? the neurologist
indicated that there was nothing that i could do except wait
for the nerve to heel it self.

Answer
I would suggest having your chiro. use electrical stimulation on the long thoracic nerve.  EMS can stimulate the nerve to heal faster.  I would also see if you can find someone that uses low level laser treatment. LLLT has been shown to increase healing tremendously.