A "burner," also called a "stinger," is an injury to 1 or more nerves between your neck and shoulder. It's not a serious neck injury. Burners are common among people who play contact sports such as football and wrestling.
You'll have a burning or stinging feeling between your neck and shoulder, and probably in your arm. Your shoulder and arm may feel numb, tingly or weak.
If you play a contact or collision sport, you can get a burner when you tackle or block another player. There are 3 ways a burner injury can happen:
The area above your collarbone is hit directly, and presses on nerves
Your doctor will ask questions and examine you. Burners happen in only one arm at a time. If both of your arms or one arm and a leg are hurt, you may have a serious neck injury, not a burner. If your doctor thinks you have a serious neck injury, he or she may take X-rays of your neck. Your doctor will also tell you how to protect your neck from further injury.
Burners usually get better on their own. You may need physical therapy to stretch and strengthen your muscles.
Some burners only last a few minutes. Others take several days or weeks to heal. If your burner lasts more than a few weeks, see your doctor. You may have a test called an electromyogram (EMG). This test can show that you have a burner and give an idea about how long it will last.
You shouldn't go back to playing if you have pain, numbness or tingling. Also refrain from playing if you aren't able to move your neck in all directions or if your strength is not back to normal. You must be able to play your sport without problems from the injury.
Yes, but daily stretching exercises can help prevent burners. Tilt your head up, down, left and right. Turn your head left and right to look over your shoulders. Hold each stretch for 20 seconds.
If you play football, wear extra neck protection.
The "Burner": A Common Nerve Injury in Contact Sports by GS Kuhlman, DB McKreag (American Family Physician November 01, 1999, http://www.aafp.org/afp/991101ap/2035.html)
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