A burner happens when nerves in the neck or shoulder area have sustained an injury. This can happen when the shoulder is pushed backward or the head and neck is forcibly pushed to the side. The burning or stinging sensation may also have a “pins and needles” type of feeling, and can be accompanied by numbness, reduced range of motion of the head, neck, shoulder, arm or hand, or the inability to lift or hold something.
In many cases, the symptoms are only temporary and self-resolving. However, in cases where the causal injury is repeated, the problem becomes recurrent and will usually lead to a chronic health issue.
Evaluation, Treatment and Prevention
“A survey of college football players found that 65 percent of players had at least one burner in their college careers, but 70 percent of these athletes did not report the injury to anyone (Kuhlman and McKeag).”