• Age-Related Degeneration: Over time, spinal discs lose their flexibility and hydration, making them more prone to cracking or tearing under pressure. This natural wear and tear is often a primary cause in older adults.
• Repetitive Movements: Activities that involve repeated bending, lifting, or twisting can strain the spine and increase the risk of disc herniation.
• Heavy Lifting: Lifting heavy objects incorrectly—using your back instead of your legs—can put excessive pressure on the discs, leading to herniation.
• Injury or Trauma: Accidents, falls, or sudden impacts can damage the spinal discs and cause them to herniate.
• Poor Posture: Sitting, standing, or walking with poor alignment can place uneven stress on the spine, increasing the likelihood of disc damage over time.
• Obesity: Excess body weight puts additional strain on the spine, making it more vulnerable to herniation.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of regular exercise can weaken the muscles that support the spine, leaving it more susceptible to injury.
• Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow to the spinal discs, impairing their ability to heal and increasing the risk of degeneration and herniation.

At Meeting Point Health, Dr. Matta takes a comprehensive approach to diagnosing herniated discs. The process begins with a detailed clinical examination, including a thorough neurological assessment to evaluate muscle strength, reflexes, and nerve function. This helps pinpoint the affected area and assess the severity of the condition.

For confirmation, advanced imaging techniques are utilized. An MRI of the spine is the gold standard for detecting disc herniations, providing a clear view of the disc and surrounding structures to identify the exact location and extent of the herniation. Additionally, X-rays may be used to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms, such as fractures or structural abnormalities in the spine.

These therapies for back pain focus on relieving discomfort and restoring mobility through various surgical alternative treatment options. Early intervention and a customized back pain treatment plan can lead to effective recovery and prevent future issues. Don’t let back pain hold you back! Contact Meeting Point Health today to schedule your personalized consultation and start your journey to relief. Your path to recovery begins here!

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy therapy is a medical injection procedure whose goal is to relieve pain and promote healing of musculoskeletal conditions, especially involving ligaments, joints, and tendons. Prolotherapy stimulates healing, causes inflammatory responses that increase blood flow and the arrival of immune cells and growth factors to the injection area, and tissue repair.

PRP Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma PRP therapy is a medical treatment that involves the use of a patient’s own blood to promote healing and tissue regeneration. Once injected, the growth factors and other bioactive substances in PRP work to accelerate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote the formation of new blood vessels. This helps in reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing the overall healing process.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell injection therapy refers to a medical procedure in which stem cells are harvested from live, healthy birth tissue and then injected into a localized area on a patient’s body, typically to promote tissue repair, and regeneration, or to treat various medical conditions. Stem cells are unique because they can develop into different types of cells in the body, and they also have the capacity for self-renewal. This makes them valuable in medical treatments, as they can potentially replace or repair damaged or diseased tissues. 

Prolozone

Prolozone therapy is a mixture of ozone gas and a prolotherapy solution is injected into the affected area, often around joints, ligaments, or tendons. The theory is that this combination not only irritates and strengthens the tissues (like prolotherapy) but also delivers the potential therapeutic benefits of ozone, such as improved circulation and tissue oxygenation. Prolozone combines procaine, dextrose, B vitamins, saline, oxygen, and ozone into a damaged joint and the combination allows for regrowth of damaged tissue.

Peptide Therapy

Peptide therapy is a cutting-edge, nonsurgical treatment for herniated discs that promotes healing by reducing inflammation, repairing damaged tissues, and supporting nerve health. Peptides like BPC-157 and Thymosin Beta-4 work by decreasing swelling around the herniated disc, stimulating collagen production for tissue repair, and enhancing the regeneration of compressed or damaged nerves. By improving blood flow and cellular healing, peptide therapy creates an optimal environment for recovery. At Meeting Point Health, Dr. Matta integrates peptide therapy into a comprehensive treatment plan to provide effective, long-lasting relief and help patients avoid surgery.

Osteopathic Manipulation

For most people, non-surgical treatment of a herniated disc is the best option.  Treatment goals involve decreasing compression and inflammation around the nerve, thereby creating more space for the nerve to function properly.  Hands-on treatment using osteopathic manipulation as well as medical acupuncture can help to decrease pain and improve function and improve blood flow to the spine. 

Back pain can be either acute or chronic. It may be sharp or dull, constant or throbbing, and may come and go in flares. It can cause stiffness, reduce range of motion, and refer pain to other areas of the legs.

Acute Pain is sudden and temporary and usually lasts less than 3 months.

Chronic Pain is gradual and recurrent, making everyday life difficult.

Back Pain is categorized by location:

• Cervical or Neck Pain
• Thoracic or Mid-Back Pain
• Lumbar or Low Back Pain
• Sacral or SI Joint Pain

• Numbness or Tingling
• Muscle Weakness
• Limited Range of Motion
• Spasms
• Pain Worsened by Movement
• Pain at Rest
• Localized Pain
• Swelling or Bruising
• Stiffness
• Tenderness
• Radiating Pain

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek an evaluation to determine the best course of treatment. At Meeting Point Health, we specialize in personalized care to reduce pain, restore mobility, and prevent further damage. Call us today to request a consultation.

At Meeting Point Health, Dr. Matta begins back pain treatment with a thorough assessment, including a medical history review, physical exam, and ultrasound diagnostics. He evaluates symptoms, mobility limitations, and any previous injuries. The physical exam includes orthopedic, functional movement, and neurokinetic assessments. Using ultrasound, Dr. Matta examines the internal structures of the back to recommend personalized treatment options for back pain relief.

Muscle Spains and Strains

Sprains and strains occur when ligaments or muscles in the back are overstretched or torn due to improper lifting, overuse, or sudden twisting movements. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion. 

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, happens when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc protrudes through its tougher outer layer. This can press on surrounding nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness, particularly in the lower back or legs. This condition is often linked to aging, repetitive strain, or trauma.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the buttocks and legs. This condition causes sharp, shooting pain that radiates along the nerve’s path and may also lead to numbness or tingling. Sciatica is frequently caused by herniated discs, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis.

Spinal Fractures

Spinal fractures occur when one or more vertebrae in the spine break due to trauma, falls, or conditions like osteoporosis. These fractures can cause intense back pain, instability, and in severe cases, neurological symptoms such as numbness or paralysis. Immediate medical attention is critical.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips out of place, often due to stress fractures, degenerative conditions, or congenital defects. This misalignment can lead to chronic lower back pain, stiffness, and nerve compression symptoms like radiating leg pain. 

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. Common in older adults, it often results in back pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs, especially after prolonged standing or walking.

Facet Joint Injuries

Facet joint injuries involve inflammation or wear and tear of the small joints between vertebrae that allow flexibility in the spine. These injuries are commonly associated with arthritis, repetitive stress, or trauma and result in localized back pain, stiffness, and difficulty bending or twisting. 

SI Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is caused by abnormal movement or inflammation in the SI joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis. It can result from injury, pregnancy, or degenerative changes, leading to pain in the lower back, buttocks, or thighs. 

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease refers to the natural wear and tear of spinal discs over time, reducing their ability to cushion the vertebrae. This can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and occasional flare-ups of more severe discomfort.

Bulging Disc

A bulging disc occurs when a spinal disc protrudes slightly beyond its normal boundary but doesn’t rupture. This can compress nearby nerves and lead to mild to moderate pain, stiffness, or tingling sensations. Bulging discs often result from aging, repetitive motion, or improper posture.

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy therapy is a medical injection procedure whose goal is to relieve pain and promote healing of musculoskeletal conditions, especially involving ligaments, joints, and tendons. Prolotherapy stimulates healing, causes inflammatory responses that increase blood flow and the arrival of immune cells and growth factors to the injection area, and tissue repair.

PRP Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma PRP therapy is a medical treatment that involves the use of a patient’s own blood to promote healing and tissue regeneration. Once injected, the growth factors and other bioactive substances in PRP work to accelerate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and promote the formation of new blood vessels. This helps in reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing the overall healing process.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell injection therapy refers to a medical procedure in which stem cells are harvested from live, healthy birth tissue and then injected into a localized area on a patient’s body, typically to promote tissue repair, and regeneration, or to treat various medical conditions. Stem cells are unique because they can develop into different types of cells in the body, and they also have the capacity for self-renewal. This makes them valuable in medical treatments, as they can potentially replace or repair damaged or diseased tissues. Stem cell injection therapy can treat arthritic joints, sports injuries, tendinopathies, non-union fractures, meniscal tears, Degenerative Disc Disease, and Osteonecrosis or Avascular Necrosis. 

Prolozone

Prolozone therapy is a mixture of ozone gas and a prolotherapy solution is injected into the affected area, often around joints, ligaments, or tendons. The theory is that this combination not only irritates and strengthens the tissues (like prolotherapy) but also delivers the potential therapeutic benefits of ozone, such as improved circulation and tissue oxygenation. Prolozone combines procaine, dextrose, B vitamins, saline, oxygen, and ozone into a damaged joint and the combination allows for regrowth of damaged tissue.

Nerve Hydrodissection

Nerve hydrodissection involves the use of ultrasound-guided injections of an aqueous regenerative solution such as peptides to flush space around an entrapped nerve.

Peptide Therapy

Peptide Therapy can be introduced as an at-home treatment, and in-office for joint injection and nerve hydrodissection purposes. Peptide therapy introduces peptides to signal communication with our cells to perform a specific response. Administrating peptides elicits a response to regulate or improve physiological functions. For regenerative medicine, peptides for wound recovery, and tissue repair, reduce inflammation, accelerate recovery time, and promote cell migration and differentiation. 

Acupuncture

Medical acupuncture uses needles to stimulate nerve activity, initiate muscle firing and induce the release of chemical substances such as neurotransmitters, endorphins, and hormones. This helps to reduce pain and boost your body’s natural healing ability.

Effective neck pain treatment doesn’t start with a prescription pad. It starts with a physician who sees beyond your list of symptoms and is able to identify their root cause. A physician who understands that healing damaged cervical tissue requires both precision and a deep understanding of how the body regenerates at the cellular level.

Dr. Matta, at Meeting Point Health, holds triple board certifications in Primary Care, Sports Medicine, and Stem Cell Therapy, bringing a rare depth of expertise to cervical and musculoskeletal care. His use of cutting-edge regenerative therapies allows him to  uncover the root of why  your neck hurts and from it, design a treatment plan that allows you to move freely again.

Whether you suffer from degenerative disc issues, nerve impingement or lingering whiplash, Dr. Matta and the team at Meeting Point Health are here to provide comprehensive and personalized care that can help you find relief. Schedule a consultation today to discuss what’s possible for your neck pain recovery.

The cause of your neck pain may not always be obvious. It can present itself subtly over time, or appear out of nowhere. Identifying what’s causing this discomfort is the first step toward reaching real, long-term relief. Some of the most common causes of neck pain include:

• Aging Changes: As we get older, discs lose hydration and ligaments stiffen, causing the neck to be more prone to stiffness and soreness.

• Arthritis: Wear and tear or autoimmune joint inflammation can damage cervical joints, leading to chronic pain and restricted movement.

• Herniated Discs: Bulging or damaged discs can press on nerves, causing sharp, radiating pain in the neck that can spread to the shoulders, arms, or hands.

• Muscle Strains & Ligament Sprains: Overstretching or sudden movements can injure muscles and ligaments in the neck, causing immediate pain and limited mobility in the neck.

• Pinched Nerves: Compressed nerves from bone spurs or disc issues can cause tingling, numbness, and sharp neck or arm pain.

• Poor Posture: Forward head posture or rounded shoulders can add stress to neck muscles, creating tension and chronic discomfort.

• Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal can compress the cervical nerves, causing pain, weakness, or numbness in the neck and arms.

• Spondylolisthesis: Slipped vertebrae can destabilize the spine and press on nearby cervical nerves, causing intense pain.

• Tension Headaches: Tight neck and shoulder muscles can cause headaches and worsen neck discomfort.

• Whiplash & Trauma: Sudden impacts or accidents could stretch or tear neck tissues, leading to immediate or delayed pain.

Recognizing the signs of a neck injury early on can help determine whether you’ll experience a swift recovery or face prolonged discomfort. Common neck symptoms to watch out for include:

• Stiffness or a limited range of motion when moving or twisting the neck
• Pain or difficulty turning the neck
• Muscle spasms in the neck or shoulders
• Headaches that originate at the base of the skull and travel down the spine
• Numbness or tingling that radiates into the arms or hands

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to speak with a physician.

At Meeting Point Health, we offer advanced regenerative therapies that work with your body’s natural healing abilities to help combat these neck pain symptoms. Unlike conventional treatments that offer temporary relief, our regenerative therapies work to improve your spinal tissue, reduce cervical inflammation, and restore your neck’s full range of motion. 

If you’re wondering what neck pain symptoms warrant concern or when to seek professional care, schedule a discovery call today. Our regenerative orthopedic team is prepared to provide the guidance and treatment you need.

We treat a wide range of neck conditions at Meeting Point Health, including:

• Cervical sprains and strains
• Herniated discs 
• Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerves)
• Osteoarthritis
• Whiplash 
• Spinal stenosis
• Cervical fractures

No matter which condition you may have, our mission stays the same: to locate the root cause of your pain, determine a proper diagnosis of it and from it, build a treatment plan that naturally heals it. 

Most clinics will take a surface-level approach to diagnosing neck pain. The result? An incomplete diagnosis and treatment plan that addresses surface level symptoms. At Meeting Point Health, we do things differently. Our neck pain treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation by Dr. Stephen Matta where he will discuss your medical history and conduct a physical examination to assess your mobility, stability, and prior injuries.

The physical exam incorporates orthopedic testing, functional movement analysis, and neurokinetic assessments to identify dysfunction and compensatory movement patterns that may be contributing to your neck pain. Our medical team will also conduct ultrasound diagnostics to evaluate potential soft tissue injuries, ligament damage, or bone degeneration. 

This thorough approach allows Dr. Matta to identify the underlying cause of your pain, provide an accurate diagnosis, and craft an effective treatment plan that aligns with your lifestyle and wellness goals.

After identifying what’s driving your pain and clarifying what you hope to achieve through treatment, Dr. Matta and our medical team will assemble a regenerative plan tailored to your neck pain.

Treatment plans may include a combination of regenerative therapies and whole-body care to support long-term relief. The regenerative neck pain treatment options available at Meeting Point Health include:

Osteopathic Manipulation (OMM): This hands-on therapy uses gentle manual techniques to correct structural asymmetries in the body. For those with neck pain, this therapy may benefit the cervical spine and surrounding tissues by restoring proper alignment, improving blood flow, and releasing muscular tension. 

Peptide Therapy: This advanced treatment uses specific bioactive peptide compounds to support the body’s natural healing processes. When applied to those with neck pain or neck conditions, these peptides may reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and enhance recovery in damaged cervical structures.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): PRP therapy uses your own blood to deliver concentrated growth factors directly to injured neck tissues, promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and supporting tissue regeneration and new blood vessel formation in damaged cervical structures.

Stem Cell Therapy: This therapy harnesses the healing potential of stem cells from healthy umbilical cord donor tissue to repair and regenerate damaged cervical tissues, offering a powerful option for complex or persistent neck conditions like herniated discs and degenerative arthritis.

Prolozone Therapy: Prolozone combines ozone gas with prolotherapy solution to improve blood circulation, enhance tissue oxygenation, and support cellular healing when injected into affected areas of the neck.

Stellate Ganglion Block: This specialized injection targets sympathetic nerves in the neck to help reset the body’s overactive “fight or flight” response, which may reduce chronic neck pain, muscle tension, and associated headaches.

Shockwave Therapy: Acoustic wave therapy delivers targeted energy pulses to neck tissues, stimulating blood flow, breaking down scar tissue, and promoting natural healing in chronic neck pain conditions.

Acupuncture: Traditional acupuncture involves precise needle placement along meridian points to reduce neck pain, release muscle tension, improve circulation, and support the body’s innate healing capacity for cervical conditions.

Unsure which regenerative approach aligns with your neck pain? Schedule a discovery call today and begin your journey toward lasting recovery.

Not sure which treatment is right for you? Dr. Matta will recommend a personalized approach based on your specific condition, injury severity, and healing goals. Schedule a discovery call today and take the first step toward long-term recovery.

OSTEOARTHRITIS: Over time, wear and tear can lead to a break of the cartilage which leads to pain in the joints including your knees, hips, and spine

MECHANICAL DISRUPTIONS: Poor alignment from posture and restrictions results in movement that is “off-track.”  This leads to friction at the joint surface, which results in inflammation, swelling, and pain

DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE: This is a result of breakdown of the joints of the spine, especially the joints of the neck, known as the cervical spine, and the low back, known as the lumbar spine.  This breakdown can cause narrowing of the space from which the spinal nerves exit.  Pain can radiate along the path of the spinal nerve leading to a sensation of pain “shooting” down the extremities

INFLAMMATION: Inflammation at the joint can result of mechanical stressors due to poor alignment, osteoarthritis from wear and tear or time, as well as some systemic issues including Lyme Disease, Gout, and, Autoimmune conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Psoriatic Arthritis

NECK (CERVICAL) SPINE

MID-BACK (THORACIC) SPINE

LOW BACK (LUMBAR) PAIN

SI (SACROILIAC) JOINT PAIN

TMJ (TEMPORO-MANDIULAR-JOINT)

SHOULDER JOINT

shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tendonitis, bicep tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, shoulder subluxation and dislocation

HIP PAIN

weak gluteal muscles, tendonitis, arthritis

KNEE PAIN

patello-femoral syndrome, ligament tear of the ACL or MCL, meniscus tear, osteoarthritis of the knee

ELBOW PAIN

golfers elbow, tennis elbow, radial tunnel syndrome

RIB PAIN

costochondritis, bruised or broken ribs

FOOT & ANKLE PAIN

ankle sprain, mortons neuroma, achilles tendonitis

WRIST & HAND PAIN

carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist sprain, trigger finger

If you have chronic or acute joint pain, and conventional therapies have failed, please call our offices. Dr. Matta uses expert diagnostics in osteopathic palpation, ultrasound imaging, and comprehensive functional movement testing to ensure the treatment is effective and efficient.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses needles to stimulate nerve activity, initiate muscle firing and induce the release of chemical substances such as neurotransmitters, endorphins, and hormones. This helps to reduce pain and boost your body’s natural healing ability.

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is an injectable therapy, that uses proliferative agents, such as dextrose, saline, and vitamins to stimulate your body’s self-healing mechanisms.

Prolozone

A treatment in which high levels of oxygen are injected to stimulate the natural healing cascades of the body.

PRP

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP); platelets harvested from your blood are injected at the site of the injury. Platelets contain growth factors that augment the natural healing ability of your body.

Nerve Hydrodissection

Involves the use of ultrasound-guided injections of an aqueous regenerative solution such as D5W to flush space around an entrapped nerve.

IV Therapy

Certain IV treatments can help regenerate nerve tissue and treat chronic infection such as ozone and phosphatidylcholine.

Osteopathic Manipulation

Hands-on therapeutic adjustment of structural issues; especially helpful when there is hypersensitivity and a non-needle approach is more beneficial.