A stinger or burner is an injury to a group of nerves known as the brachial plexus. This nerve bundle is often injured during sporting activities and results in loss of sensation to the affected arm (paraesthesia).

This condition may also be known as a herniated disc, slipped disc or disc protrusion. The condition refers to the soft fluid filled discs between the cervical vertebrae and the change in shape/distribution that can occur near the weak points in the disc, which can result in a bulge.

A cervical facet joint sprain can be defined as an irritation, dysfunction, rotation or compression at the specific spinal joint that connects one vertebra to another, either above or below.