“Sometimes what looks like an obstacle from an injury is actually a gift meant to move you in a different direction.”
Nori (Hoff) Stark
Mar – Apr 2024 • Vol 4, No 9
My name is Nori (Hoff) Stark. I live in Victor, MT with my husband, Rudy. I have led a very interesting, blessed life, and a challenging one! I grew up in a family of twelve people—seven brothers and two sisters. We all rodeoed, ranched, and farmed for many years together. Riding calves, steers, a long cow once, doing barrel and poles. All the special events came with bumps, bruises, stitches, scars and, of course, bragging rights if I beat any of my brothers in the same event. Buckles, money, and trophies were our winners.
I continued to rodeo with my husband and our three children, Dixie, Dillon, and Emmett until 2000. We ranched, raised Catahoula dogs, calved out plenty of heifers and many mama cows throughout the years. We raised feedlots full of steers and 70 plus horses that I handled from halter-breaking the colts, and put the first 10–20 rides on them. That’s lots of wear and tear on one’s back, arms, and legs!
Ranching comes with big expenses, not just in livestock or the dead stock, but with whatever Mother Nature can do to knock you down and whatever Old Man Winter can do to shut you down. Season of excitement, as we used to say, along with the injuries you might sustain on a ranch.
In 2005, I was kicked in the face by a 700-pound steer. The kick broke all the bones on the right side of my face except for my lower jaw, and I received 8 plates and 22 screws. Then on Thanksgiving Day, 2012, I was in a head-on collision with a 97-mile-an-hour impact as a passenger! A 16-year-old girl, driving on a two-lane, icy, snow-covered highway, lost control of her car, sliding into our lane. She hit us not once but four times, bouncing off our 24-foot trailer. We all survived the horrible accident. Thank you, Jesus!
A few years later, I was hit by a drunk driver as I walked across the street in Cody, Wyoming. A woman blew through the red light at 40 miles an hour and hit me, throwing me into her windshield with my neck hitting the roof, sending me 30+ feet in the air, then dropping me back down on the street. I remember being badly hurt, yet I felt a sense of calm and comfort, as I knew I would be OK. His presence was with me. And by the grace of God, I had no broken bones, just very beat up shoulders.
A year later my blood sugar fell very low, and I fell on my face, shattering my nose and hurting my neck. Clearly, I have definitely had my share of mishaps in this life. At 115 pounds and 64 years of age, my body was quite beat up.
In the fall of 2022, I saw an ad and video on the Internet about Human Umbilical Cord Tissue (HUCT) injections with follow-up interviews from patients who had received positive results from the treatment. Being a tough girl and not wanting any kind of surgery, I called the Bozeman Joint Repair Clinic. I spoke to Jennifer Carter who explained the easy procedure of a total of three injections to the joint in need. She shared with me the many impressive praise reports of happy patients, as well as her own story of HUCT.
After an initial consultation with Dr. Spence in Bozeman, I received my treatment from the wonderful staff at the Missoula Joint Repair Clinic. Libby administers the injections, and Abby is the receptionist. Both ladies were positive, helpful, and very reassuring. I received HUCT injections in both sides of my neck, both sides of my back, both knees, both shoulders, and in an arthritic knuckle on my right hand. Then, a month later, I received Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. I was also given a customized nutritional program to help speed up the recovery process.
In less than three months, I was able to resume all of my former activities. My knees and the knuckle on my right hand had no swelling or inflammation. It was like a miracle! I was able to enjoy life again, taking long walks, bicycle riding, riding motorcycles, riding Rudy’s mules through the mountains, and snowmobiling. The choice to not seek surgery and the opportunity to share my healing journey with others in just a year’s time is quite rewarding and promising for more improvement. My back and neck are also loving the injections that are doing their amazing job.
My husband, Rudy, has recently received the HUCT injections in his right ankle due to injuries resulting from his many years of motocross racing and snowmobiling. He was so impressed with my progress in such a short time and added that the Joint Repair treatments have been “a great investment.”
Now we can enjoy many more awesome adventures riding the trails through the Bitterroots. I thank God every day that I am here with Him in the presence of so many good people. I owe all the praise to Dr. Spence and his staff at the Joint Repair Clinic, and everyone who has studied the fascinating results of HUCT injections. It has given me a better life at 64 years of age. Choosing this non-surgical way to make our joints happy and healthy has been the best decision for Rudy and I both. It may be the best decision for you as well if you have suffered injuries or have experienced stiff, painful joints.
“Sometimes what looks like an obstacle from an injury is actually a gift meant to move you in a different direction.” That is exactly what the injections have done for my husband Rudy and I. As Dr. Spence says, “Motion is lotion… Keep a-moving!”
“I have known Nori for over three years, enjoying many walks and fun times. During the first two years, she was constantly troubled by the pain in her knees, shoulder, and knuckles, causing our walks to be slow and short. Some days, she would show me the inflammation in her knees and finger joints that were causing her so much debilitating pain. Her bubbly personality was worn by the constant struggle with the discomfort and pain.
She told me she had chosen HUCT injections instead of surgery. What an amazing choice! Her giddy-up returned and her gait was at full stride. The inflammation in her knuckles, knees, and back had significantly subsided. Along with the dramatic physical mobility changes, it was wonderful to see the pain subside from her face and body in just a few months.”
—Sincerely, Tacy Fleener
The Joint Repair Clinic of Montana (with locations in Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, and Helena) has been helping many Montanans attain great results from arthritis, joint pain, and peripheral neuropathy. The professional staff uses measurable, scientific testing, and x-rays to understand what is going on with your joints to help determine what may be the source of your pain. They can help you learn about the natural options that may be available for you and offer personalized-care programs to help your body naturally. They utilize the tissue from donated umbilical cords from live-birth, healthy moms and healthy babies, which helps the cushioning in your joints.
Care packages can include Human Umbilical Cord Tissue (HUCT) allograft injections, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), chiropractic, home-exercise coaching, nutritional supplements and dietary guidelines. Some locations offer additional, non-surgical, pain-management options, including various ozone and sound and light therapies.
Call (406) 551-1787 today and mention this article to receive the discounted $49 consultation. Visit: www.jointrepairmt.com for more information.