What are Neck Stingers and How to Prevent Them?

Burner’s Syndrome, also known as stinger or transient brachial plexopathy, is a common sports injury that cause a burning or stinging feeling are called burners or stingers.

Football players are affected most often, with a surprising stat of nearly half of all college football players having had at least one burner or stinger. Although symptoms often resolve within minutes, recurrent episodes or delayed motor weakness may occur, necessitating careful clinical monitoring. 

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for neck stingers 

Burner’s syndrome is highly prevalent in contact sports such as Football, Rugby, Ice Hockey. American football continues to have a high rate of cervical spine injuries, the majority of which occur in preseason and regular season competition settings.

What causes Stingers/Burners Syndrome? 

The brachial plexus is affected most often by a downward or backward force against the shoulder when a direct blow or hard hit to the top of your shoulder pushes it down at the same time that your head is forced in the opposite direction. In the process, the brachial plexus between the neck and shoulder gets stretched and the nerves in the area/down the arm are impacted.   

How do I know if it was a "Burner" or Stinger? 

The painful symptoms start above the shoulder and go down the arm, sometimes even into the hand.  The shoulder and arm may feel numb or weak, tingling sensations may also be present.  Symptoms may only last a few seconds or minutes, but for some patients the healing takes days or weeks. 

What to do if I have a Stinger? 

Stringers are usually treated with rest, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) as needed. If you have severe or ongoing pain and see a healthcare provider, they may also recommend physical therapy to help you recover and maintain your range of motion. 

Our Physical Therapist explains Stingers, its impact, and when to see a healthcare provider

When should I see a Medical Professional? 

Any time you experience neck pain, particularly after any impact, it is important to assess whether the injury could be something more serious like a fracture.

• You should see a healthcare provider if the accident that caused the injury was severe, such as a car crash or a football tackle that resulted in other injuries.

• If pain, weakness, or loss of range of motion persists, seek out professional attention. 

• Seek immediate medical attention if both of your arms are affected or if you received a blow to the head, especially if you lost consciousness. 

How to prevent Burners and Stingers? 

A neck burner or stinger may be a sign you are doing something wrong that you want to correct. 

• Use protective gear and proper sports technique. This includes wearing a collar for football. 

• Avoid awkward positions of the head and neck in sports and daily life, such as when having your hair washed at the salon. 

• Stretch your neck muscles gently before activity. 

• Strengthen your neck, back, and shoulder muscles. Don't neglect upper body workouts if you are primarily a runner or cyclist. 

• Return to activity slowly after sustaining a burner or stinger. Take it easy. 

• See a healthcare provider if you experience recurrent burners and stingers. They can rule out whether there are other things at work or help you modify your activities. 

• Physical Therapy can help in strengthening your muscles and prevent and is recommended in the treatment if you experience a stinger.

At BURD Physical Therapy, we take a comprehensive and patient-focused approach to physical therapy. Our physical therapist work with active athletes for strengthening muscles and/or sports injury rehabilitation. Our structured process ensures you get the right treatment at the right time, tailored to your specific needs and recovery goals.