KNEE & JOINT CARE IN NOVATO, MARIN COUNTY
Relief From Knee and Joint Pain—Without Surgery
Find the real cause. Follow a clear plan. Get back to the life you love.
Referred by Marin physicians and surgeons for conservative care.
Our patients trust us and are consistently satisfied with our care.
Sound familiar?
Plenty of treatment. No explanation.
Most people who come to us have already tried something. What they haven’t had is someone who shows them what’s actually wrong.
We start where they stop. On your first visit, we explain what’s likely driving your pain.
Nobody explains what’s wrong
You leave with a diagnosis, but no real understanding of your joint, your movement or why it hurts.
Surgery comes up first
You want to know whether conservative care is a realistic option before deciding.
Pain that returns
Pain may settle for a while, while the reasons it started may still need attention.
Months of exercises, unclear progress
You’ve put time into exercises and still have questions about your progress.
The complete approach
Four elements. One system.
At our Novato clinic, knee care isn’t a single adjustment or a sheet of exercises. Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC’s program brings four elements together in the clinic, then continues at home.
01 · Ease joint pressure
Knee traction
Knee-On-Trac® decompression gently creates space in the joint, which may help ease pressure and improve comfort.
02 · Unload the hips
Decompression
Chiropractic care and lumbar decompression address how your spine and hips may be loading the knee.
03 · Rebuild stability
Custom exercises
Exercises chosen for your body, taught in the clinic and done daily at home, so you understand every one.
04 · Support recovery
Tissue healing
Shockwave, Class 4 laser, anti-inflammatory nutrition and LED light therapy support your body’s own repair.
The result
Build strength and movement.
Our goal isn’t a quieter knee for a few weeks. It’s waking up and thinking about what you’ll do today, not what’s going to hurt.
01
You understand
On your first visit, we explain your joint structure, your movement pattern and what’s likely driving your pain.
02
You make real progress
Your plan addresses joint mechanics, strength and tissue support instead of only quieting symptoms.
03
You get stronger
Stability and strength are rebuilt with a home program you know how to do yourself.
04
You get back to life
The trail, the trip, the grandkids. A real hug, not a careful one.
Why this works
Complete approach. Complete care.
We believe the best chance at lasting relief comes from treating the whole system and making sure you understand it.
01
A complete system
Traction, decompression, exercises and tissue healing work together, not one piece at a time. We look at the whole chain, from foot to spine, to find what’s driving your knee pain.
02
Complete understanding
You know why you hurt, what we’re working on and why each step matters. We explain, we don’t mystify.
03
Built to last
You learn how to maintain your progress yourself, not because you keep coming back.
Honest guidance and appropriate referrals
How we approach your care
We explain conservative care options and discuss whether they may fit your goals. If conservative care isn’t the right fit, we tell you and refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Earned credibility
We explain our care approach and discuss next steps based on your evaluation and goals.
Honest clinical judgment
If conservative care isn’t the right fit, we tell you and refer you to the appropriate specialist. We don’t keep you paying for care that won’t work.
In the media
Featured coverage
Recent media features and educational insights from Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC, on knee pain, conservative care and lasting mobility.
San Francisco Examiner
A 12-Week Roadmap to Stronger, More Stable Knees
Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC, walks through her non-surgical 12-week knee restoration protocol week by week, and why progress rarely looks the same for any two patients.
From Knee-On-Trac to Class 4 Laser: How Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC Combines Advanced Technology and Hands-On Care to Heal Knees Without Surgery
How Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC, pairs Knee-On-Trac decompression and Class 4 laser therapy with hands-on chiropractic care to address the biomechanical causes of knee pain, not just the joint itself.
When Walking Up Stairs Hurts
What pain while climbing or descending stairs may reveal about your knees and the movement patterns around them.
When It Really Is Time to Consider Knee Surgery
Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC, on when knee surgery may truly be appropriate, and which non-surgical options are usually worth trying first.
Why Knee Pain Is Rarely Just the Knee
How the kinetic chain (the hips, ankles, and feet) can overload the knee joint, and how the 12-week protocol developed by Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC, addresses the wider biomechanical picture.
Marin/Sonoma County Chiropractor Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC
A press feature on Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC, and Marin Joint Health’s knee-focused care for patients across Marin and Sonoma County.
Patient reviews
Finally explained. In their own words.
Read what patients have shared about their care.
-
I had an ongoing knee issue from an old ACL injury, and the team at Marin Joint Health provided wonderful care and effective treatment. My knee has improved significantly, and I now have much less pain. I'm so grateful for their expertise and highly recommend them to anyone dealing with similar issues.
-
I love the quality of care I’m receiving! And Dr. Scharf and her staff are wonderful! I’m so glad I signed up for this program to treat my knees, osteoarthritis and meniscus tears!
-
My experience has been transformative for me. My knee pain kept me from being active. I feel like I now have freedom to return to my life being active and healthy. The staff and patients make each visit so pleasant, there is a general feeling of positive healthy attitudes and healing shared during my visits. My only regret is not having found them sooner.
-
I had problems with my knees and it was painful to walk. I started treatment with Dr. Patrick and Gabriela, and now I walk much better and the pain is much less.
-
I have been coming to the clinic for three months. From arriving with excruciating pain in both knees I can now say that my knees are stable, mostly pain free, and I am getting stronger. My goal was to avoid surgery and stay active. Dr Scharf and her team Dr Chu and Gabriella are amazing. They are so dedicated to helping me feel better. I…
Individual results vary.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Call us and we’ll explain exactly how we can help.
Our focus is explaining why knee and joint pain happens, then building a complete conservative plan around the way you move. We combine therapies chosen for your plan, home care and education so you can get back to an active life and know how to maintain your progress.
We care for a broad range of joint, muscle, and nerve conditions, from knee and back pain to neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and more. Our Areas We Treat page lists every condition we address so you can see if we are the right fit for your needs.
Yes. We start by explaining what is happening and whether a conservative plan is realistic for you. If we believe surgery or another specialist is the right next step, we tell you clearly instead of keeping you in care that will not help.
Start by booking your first visit securely through Jane. At your first visit, we will assess your condition, answer your questions, and build a treatment plan matched to your goals.
Care at our clinic is led by Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC and Dr. David Lepp, DC. Together, our doctors share a commitment to conservative, non-invasive care that supports your body’s natural healing. Visit our team page to learn more about our approach.
Feel better. Live better.
Finally understand why you hurt—and what you can do about it.
We explain what we find, build a complete conservative plan and teach you how to stay ahead of it for life.