An excitation stinger consists of a thin, flexible rod, with attachment means at both ends. The stinger transmits force in the stiff axial direction and flexes laterally to reduce input side loads to the structure. This uniaxial force delivered by the flexible stinger increases the accuracy of the measurement. The stinger also helps to isolate the exciter armature from the structure, lessening inadvertent shocks and possibly preventing damage to a fragile exciter armature. Likewise, the stinger can protect a fragile structure from large, inadvertent excitations.