Stinger - NJ's Top Orthopedic Spine & Pain Management Center
Redefine HealthCare (732) 906-9600
Book Online

Stinger

    The neck or cervical spine is composed of seven vertebral levels C1-C7. In the spine, there are areas where the intervertebral disc and facet joints join two cervical vertebral bodies. Where this occurs, it forms two canals on either side of the spine, called intervertebral foramina. At each level the cervical spinal nerves exit the spinal cord through the intervertebral foramen. The spinal nerves are the electrical wires of the body. The size or diameter of the spinal foramina can vary from person to person. Any compromise or encroachment of the canal may put pressure on the exiting nerve producing symptoms varying from pain, tingling, numbness or even weakness.

    What is a Stinger?

    “Stinger,” is also called a burner or nerve pinch, and is a common athletic injury in which the head and neck are forced toward the shoulder compressing nerves in this area, or the head and neck are forced away from the shoulder stretching nerves in this area. Symptoms typically occur on one side of the body, affecting the nerves in the cervical spine down to the arm.

    Causes

    Anything that encroaches on, or presses on a nerve disrupting its function at can be considered a cause of stinger. Commons causes of stinger include:

    • Contact sports like hockey, basketball, rugby, football, or wrestling.
    • Sudden trauma like an accident that puts excess force on the head and neck.

    Seeing Dr. Freeman for my crps in my foot and going to physical therapy there as well and the staff is amazing! They genuinely listen to you and don’t make you feel crazy. Everyone is so nice and friendly and they are really helping me make progress.

    Lady

    Stinger

    Symptoms of Stingers

    The symptoms experienced as a result of stinger will be located along the same path that the affected nerve travels.

    • Pain, which can start in the neck and travel to the shoulder, and arm.
    • Numbness tingling may be experienced from the neck to the shoulder, and arm.
    • Muscle weakness may occur on any muscle that is innervated by the affected nerve. Long term pressure on the nerve can produce atrophy or wasting of that particular muscle.
    • Pain and tenderness localized at the level of the involved nerve.
    • Muscle spasm and changes in posture in response to the injury.
    • Pain on one side of the body.

    Treating Stingers

    Treatment of stinger will depend on the severity of the condition. When treating acute back problems:

    • Rest. Avoid the activities that produce the pain (bending, lifting, twisting, turning, bending backwards, etc).
    • Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medications.
    • Apply ice in acute cases to the thoracic spine to help reduce pain and associated muscle spasm. Apply it right away and then at intervals for about 20 minutes at a time. Do not apply directly to the skin.
    • An exercise regiment designed specifically to address the cause of the symptoms associated with pinched nerve and improve joint mobility, spinal alignment, posture, and range of motion.
    • Steroidal medication to reduce inflammation in moderate to severe conditions.
    • Physical therapy to reduce inflammation, restore joint function, improve motion, and help the return of full function.

    Mild Cases

    In mild cases many patients found that rest, ice and medication were enough to reduce the pain. Physical therapy is recommended to develop a series of postural, stretching and strengthening exercises to prevent re-occurrence of the injury. Return to activity should be gradual to prevent a return of symptoms.

    Moderate to Severe Cases

    If the problem persists, consult with your health care provider. Your physician should perform a thorough evaluation to determine the possible cause of your symptoms, the structures involved, the severity of the condition, and the best course of treatment.

    Medicine Intervenes

    In addition to performing a thorough examination your physician may order the following tests to make a more concise diagnosis:

    • X-ray to determine if there is any joint degeneration, fractures, bony malformations, arthritis, tumors or infection present.
    • MRI to determine any soft tissue involvement, including visualization of the discs, spinal cord and nerve roots.
    • CT scans, which can give a cross section view of the spinal structures.

    Medications to consider

    Your physician may recommend several medication options individually or in combination to reduce the pain, inflammation and muscle spasms that may be associated with stinger.

    • Over the counter medications for mild to moderate pain.
    • If over the counter medications are not effective your physician may prescribe stronger pain medication.
    • Anti-inflammatory drugs or prescription NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce inflammation following acute injury.
    • Muscle relaxers to reduce acute muscle spasm.
    • Injections like facet injections, nerve blocks or an epidural. These may involve the injection of corticosteroids to a specific structure to reduce local inflammation.

    Excellent professional and compassionate care! Very responsive and timely with appointments.

    Johnny

    Page Updated on Jul 19, 2023 by Redefine Healthcare Redefinehealthcare Team

    At Redefine Healthcare, our specialists are board-certified, highly educated, and rigorously trained in various fields, including pain management, neurosurgery, orthopedic spine surgery, chiropractic care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry, and podiatry. Many of our doctors have earned the prestigious Castle Connolly Top Doctors recognition from their peers. We prioritize listening to your concerns, identifying the root cause of your pain, and determining the most effective treatment plan to provide quick relief and prevent future conditions. With advanced non-surgical pain rehabilitation, our New Jersey centers in Union, Edison, and Paterson offer top-tier care for severe and chronic pain.

    Our Team
    Why Choose Redefine Healthcare?
    • Same-day
      appointments
    • Convenient locations throughout
      Central & Northern NJ
    • In-network,
      tier-one facility
    • 24 hour turnaround on needed
      notes and documentation
    • Comprehensive and
      compassionate pain care
    • Non-surgical, interventional pain care
      in Edison, NJ & Union, NJ

    Certificate

    Call at: 732.906.9600 For Same day Appointment

    Our Locations
    BAYONNE
    •
    CHERRY HILL
    •
    CLIFTON
    •
    EDGEWATER
    •
    EDISON
    •
    EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP
    •
    FAIRVIEW
    •
    FREEHOLD
    •
    GALLOWAY
    •
    HACKENSACK
    •
    HADDONFIELD
    •
    HAMILTON
    •
    JERSEY CITY
    •
    LAWRENCEVILLE
    •
    LINWOOD
    •
    MARLTON
    •
    MONTCLAIR
    •
    MOUNT LAUREL
    •
    NEWARK
    •
    NEWTON
    •
    NORTH ARLINGTON
    •
    ORANGE
    •
    PATERSON
    •
    PENNSVILLE
    •
    PRINCETON
    •
    SCOTCH PLAINS
    •
    SECAUCUS
    •
    SEWELL
    •
    TENAFLY
    •
    TURNERSVILLE
    •
    UNION
    •
    VILLAS
    •
    VINELAND
    •
    VOORHEES
    •
    WALL
    •
    WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
    •
    WEST DEPTFORD
    •
    WEST ORANGE
    •
    WILLIAMSTOWN
    •
    LANGHORNE (PA)
    •
    GOSHEN (NY)
    Down Arrow

    Bayonne

    19 East 27th Street
    Bayonne, NJ 07002

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Cherry Hill

    1400 Route 70 East
    Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

    Orthopedics • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Clifton

    50 Mount Prospect Ave, Ste 104
    Clifton, NJ 07013-1900

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Clifton

    855 Valley Road
    Clifton, NJ 07013

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Edgewater

    935 River Road
    Edgewater, NJ 07020

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Edison

    10 Parsonage Road, Suite 208
    Edison, NJ 08837

    Chiropractic • Mental Health • Orthopedics • Pain Management • Physical Therapy • Spine Surgery • Surgery Center

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Edison

    1907 Oak Tree Road, Suite 201
    Edison, NJ 08820

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Egg Harbor Township

    3100 Hingston Ave, Suite 104
    Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

    Orthopedics • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Fairview

    143 Anderson Avenue
    Fairview, NJ 07022

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Freehold

    1000 W Main Street, Suite 201
    Freehold, NJ 07728

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Galloway

    408 Chris Guapp Drive, Suite 250
    Galloway, NJ 08205

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Galloway

    415 Chris Gaupp Drive
    Galloway, NJ 08205

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Hackensack

    146 NJ-17, Suite 2
    Hackensack, NJ 07601

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery • Surgery Center

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Hackensack

    2 University Plaza Drive, Suite 500
    Hackensack, NJ 07601

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Haddonfield

    807 N Haddon Avenue, Suite 1
    Haddonfield, NJ 08033

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Hamilton

    2271 Highway 33, Suite 103
    Hamilton, NJ 08690

    Mental Health • Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Hamilton
    Mercer-Bucks Orthopedics

    2501 Kuser Road, 3rd Floor
    Hamilton, NJ 08691

    Orthopedics • Pain Management • Physical Therapy

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Hamilton

    3535 Quakerbridge Rd, Suite 200
    Hamilton, NJ 08619

    Orthopedics • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Jersey City

    3540 JFK Blvd
    Jersey City, NJ 07307

    Chiropractic • Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Lawrenceville
    Mercer-Bucks Orthopedics

    2A Princess Road, Suite 200
    Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

    Orthopedics • Pain Management • Physical Therapy

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Linwood

    1801 New Road
    Linwood, NJ 08221

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Marlton, NJ
    Mercer-Bucks Orthopedics

    651 N. Route 73, Suite 405
    Marlton, NJ 08053

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Montclair

    1 Bay Avenue, 2nd Floor, Suite 1
    Montclair, NJ 07042

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Mount Laurel

    4000 Church Road
    Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Mount Laurel

    15000 Midlantic Drive, Suite 102
    Mount Laurel, NJ 08052

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Newark

    266-272 Chestnut Street
    Newark, NJ 07105

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Newton

    157 High St.
    Newton, NJ 07860

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    North Arlington

    11 Ridge Road
    North Arlington, NJ 07031

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Orange

    85 South Jefferson
    Orange, NJ 07050

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Paterson

    922 Main Street, Suite 201
    Paterson, NJ 07503

    Chiropractic • Pain Management • Physical Therapy

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Pennsville

    390 N Broadway, Suite 500
    Pennsville, NJ 08070

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Princeton
    Mercer-Bucks Orthopedics

    10 Forrestal Road South, Suite 105
    Princeton, NJ 08540

    Orthopedics • Pain Management • Physical Therapy

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Scotch Plains

    1814 E 2nd Street
    Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Secaucus

    55 Meadowlands Parkway, Suite 2
    Secaucus, NJ 07094

    Orthopedics

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Sewell

    102 Heritage Valley Drive, Suite C
    Sewell, NJ 08080

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Tenafly

    111 Dean Drive, Suite 1
    Tenafly, NJ 07670

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Turnersville

    860 Route 168, Ste 104
    Turnersville, NJ 08012

    Orthopedics • Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Union

    2500 Morris Avenue, Suite 220
    Union, NJ 07083

    Mental Health • Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Villas

    2004 Bayshore Road
    Villas, NJ 08251

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Vineland

    415 W Landis Ave Suite 101-B
    Vineland, NJ 08360

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Vineland

    2466 Chestnut Avenue, Suite 2
    Vineland, NJ 08361

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Voorhees

    1001 Laurel Oak Road, Suite A2
    Voorhees, NJ 08043

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Wall

    1985 State Highway 34, Suite 6A
    Wall, NJ 07719

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Washington Township

    329 Greentree Road
    Sewell, NJ 08080

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    West Deptford

    204 Grove Avenue, Suite G
    West Deptford, NJ 08086

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    West Orange

    445 Pleasant Valley Way
    West Orange, NJ 07052

    Orthopedics • Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Williamstown

    979 N Black Horse Pike
    Williamstown, NJ 08094

    Pain Management

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Langhorne
    Mercer-Bucks Orthopedics

    1203 Langhorne-Newtown Road, Suite 220
    Langhorne, PA 19047

    Orthopedics • Pain Management • Physical Therapy

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW

    Goshen

    70 Hatfield Lane, Suite 201
    Goshen, NY 10924

    Pain Management • Spine Surgery

    First Icon

    DIRECTIONS

    Second Icon

    CALL NOW

    Third Icon

    BOOK NOW
    Request an Appointment We are here to assist you