Have you been unable to get rid of that burning sensation in your neck and shoulder? Burning pain can feel difficult to deal with., especially when it affects you on a daily basis. It can make doing even the simplest of tasks difficult.
If you’re someone who struggles with this type of pain, there might be a couple of explanations for why you’re feeling burning sensations in your neck and shoulder. To learn more about the possible reasons and what treatments are available for the conditions that cause this pain, keep reading.
What are some explanations for that burning sensation in your neck and shoulder?
- Compressed or pinched nerves — Compressed or pinched nerves occur when a piece of tissue, like a ligament, tendon, muscle, cartilage or bone, presses against a nerve. The compressed nerve can cause burning, tingling or numb sensations. Even if the compressed nerve is in your neck, you might feel it in your shoulder and vice versa.
- Strains or sprains — Strains or sprains can occur with overuse or a traumatic physical injury. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck and shoulder are interconnected, so an injury to one might be felt in the other. Strains and sprains can sometimes feel like a radiating, burning sensation.
- Herniated disc — Herniated discs occur when the nucleus of a spinal disc leaks outside of the disk. The leak places pressure on a nerve near the spinal cord. Herniated discs might not cause symptoms for some. For others, the pain can be extremely disruptive. Compressed nerves can cause pain that radiates or is felt in a separate region of the body.
- Whiplash — Whiplash is a condition that most frequently affects those who have been involved in car collisions. It occurs when the head snaps forward and then backward very suddenly. This can cause pain in the neck and shoulder.
- Cervical spondylosis — Cervical spondylosis is a condition in which the spinal discs in the neck become small and bone spurs start to form. It is a condition that usually starts to present itself in older people. Many people don’t experience any noticeable symptoms, while others feel sharp pain. People who have cervical spondylosis and experience pain usually report spasming. This can feel like burning in the neck and shoulder around where the spinal discs are.
What are some treatment options for that burning sensation in your neck and shoulder?
- Physical therapy —- Physical therapy is often useful for people who have burning sensations in their neck and shoulder because it can target the root of the pain. Physical therapists don’t work to just minimize your symptoms; they help their patients in a more whole-bodied approach, paying attention to any related issues and building strength and range of motion along the way.
- Anti-inflammatory medication — Taking anti-inflammatory medication can help reduce some of the burning in the neck and shoulder by decreasing inflammation and pain.
- Corticosteroid injections — Corticosteroid injections are a type of treatment option that can reduce inflammation and pain. If your burning sensation in your neck and shoulder won’t go away on its own, it may help to use corticosteroids. They don’t always last forever, though, and may require multiple injections over time to be effective at reducing inflammation and pain long-term.
- Surgery — Surgery is a treatment option that is typically only recommended after the more conservative treatment options fail to improve a patient’s symptoms. Surgery can be painful and requires some recovery time, which can be inconvenient and may vary. It also presents a risk of complications, like nerve damage and infection.
Physical therapy can address the burning sensation in your neck and shoulder
If you have a burning sensation in your neck and shoulder that inhibits your quality of life, our team of specialists at SOL Physical Therapy can provide personalized care. We can provide personalized treatment plans for your neck and shoulder pain using evidence-based physical therapy techniques that have been studied by professionals and are designed to treat your pain at the root. We treat conditions, not symptoms. Physical therapy can help you manage your neck and shoulder pain while improving your muscle strength, range of motion, and flexibility.
When you choose to get treatment at one of our SOL Physical Therapy locations, you are choosing a state-of-the-art facility equipped with highly educated physical therapists. We’re proud of our well-trained therapists and our determined administrative staff that will do their very best to ensure that you receive the compassionate and effective care you need.Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.