Why do I feel a burning pain in my neck?

Experiencing a burning pain in your neck can be a distressing sensation and have an impact on your daily life. The neck is a complex structure of muscles, ligaments and vertebrae. It is susceptible to various issues that can contribute to this discomfort. Neck pain is a common complaint that affects approximately 1 in 3 people at least once a year. Neck pain doesn’t have to become a chronic issue. Various conservative treatments are available to help you manage this inconvenience and alleviate the discomfort disrupting your life. 

Potential causes behind burning neck pain

The first step to finding relief from a burning pain in your neck is to determine the underlying cause. Potential causes for the pain can include:

• Muscle tension and strain — Prolonged poor posture working at a desk or hunched over a device, stress, or overuse can all be potential causes behind the pain you’re experiencing. These can lead to muscle tension and strain that can cause a burning sensation, tightness and discomfort.

• Cervical radiculopathy — Cervical radiculopathy is caused by the compression or irritation of nerve roots in the cervical spine, also known as the neck. Cervical radiculopathy may also be referred to as a pinched or compressed nerve. This issue can cause a burning pain that radiates from the neck down the arm, numbness and tingling sensations.

• Whiplash injury — Whiplash is caused by the sudden forceful movement of the neck. It can be the result of a car accident or participation in contact sports. It can cause burning pain, stiffness and headache.

• Herniated disc — A herniated disc happens when the soft, jelly-like interior of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tough exterior. A herniated disc in the neck can cause burning pain, tingling and weakness in the arms. Herniated discs may also cause pinched nerves.

• Cervical spondylosis — Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative condition that affects the neck. It is a form of osteoarthritis of the spine and affects over 85% of people over age 60. Common causes of cervical spondylosis include aging, previous neck injuries and genetic factors. Symptoms of cervical spondylosis can include burning pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion. 

Treatment options for burning neck pain

Identifying the underlying cause of burning neck pain is essential for choosing the best treatment option to help manage and alleviate this type of neck discomfort. Various treatment approaches can play a role in helping the pain, including:

• Rest and cold therapy — Ensuring that you allow your body adequate time to rest helps promote the body’s natural healing processes. Rest is essential in recovery. Combining rest with cold therapy by using an ice pack can help reduce inflammation and alleviate burning pain. Cold therapy can be particularly beneficial in the case of injury.

• Medication — Pain medications like over-the-counter NSAIDs can help provide temporary relief from burning pain and inflammation. Your health care provider may also recommend prescription analgesics for boosted relief.

• Physical therapy — Physical therapy can be beneficial in helping a number of conditions that can be behind your burning neck pain. Your physical therapist can design a treatment plan incorporating a variety of techniques best suited to your specific needs.

• Heat therapy — If your burning neck pain is the result of tension, applying heat like a warm compress or heating pad can help. The heat can help relax muscles and alleviate tension. Heat therapy can be best suited to muscle strain.

• Posture correction — Proper posture can help alleviate and prevent chronic neck pain. Improving your posture can be done through awareness of your body movements and exercises to help strengthen muscles. 

Physical therapy for burning neck pain

Addressing burning neck pain with physical therapy can involve a variety of modalities. Each technique can provide targeted relief:

• Therapeutic exercises — Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and enhance your overall neck function. Your physical therapist will select strengthening and stretching exercises intended to address your unique needs and the condition causing your pain.

• Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate the muscles in the neck. It can help reduce pain that can be due to muscle spasms. Electrical stimulation is often used with therapeutic exercises to help boost the effectiveness of the exercises.

• Dry needling — Dry needling is a technique performed by certified physical therapists. Thin, sterile needles are manually inserted into trigger points in the neck area to help address muscle tightness. Dry needling can help release tension and stimulate the body’s natural healing process by boosting circulation.

• Manual therapy — Manual therapy techniques like soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization target muscles, tendons and connective tissue in the neck region. Soft tissue mobilization is a hands-on manipulation technique used by physical therapists to help alleviate tightness in the soft tissue of the neck and improve flexibility. Joint mobilization is controlled movements guiding the neck to help improve joint flexibility and increase the range of motion. 

Physical therapy at SSOR can be the key to relief from your burning neck pain 

If you’re in the clutches of burning neck pain, physical therapy at SSOR can help. Our team of dedicated physical therapists is committed to tailoring a personalized plan that addresses the root cause of your pain and helps alleviate it. Through evidence-based interventions, we aim to help empower you on your journey toward improved neck mobility, reduced pain and a more active life.

Call us or request an appointment today to take your first steps to relief from burning neck pain.