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About Marin Joint Health in Novato
A real alternative to knee surgery.
Some people want to understand conservative options before deciding what to do next. Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC founded Marin Joint Health to prove there’s another way: we explain why you hurt, treat the root cause and teach you how to stay ahead of it.
Conservative care for knee and joint pain.
At a glance
Since 2006
Dr. Scharf, DC has practiced chiropractic and integrative care.
DC-led care
Led by a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC.
Marin & Sonoma
Patients from both counties, at our Novato clinic.
Meet your provider
Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC
Founder & Chiropractor
As the founder of Marin Joint Health, Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC has practiced integrative medicine and chiropractic care since 2006. She centers her work on supporting the body’s own ability to heal, drawing on chiropractic adjustments and advanced, non-invasive therapies.
Pairs chiropractic training with gentle, non-invasive treatments to ease pain and restore movement.
Cares for the whole person, addressing physical, biochemical and emotional health.
Welcomes patients across Marin and Sonoma Counties looking for non-surgical solutions.
Our mission
By Your Side Through Every Stage
We help active people stay active. That’s it. That’s the whole thing.
Marin Joint Health is a Novato clinic dedicated to natural, non-surgical care for knee pain, neuropathy and joint health. Rather than chasing symptoms, we focus on what’s driving your pain, helping you move with greater ease and build lasting strength without depending on medication or surgery.
Whether you’re training for your first marathon, getting back on the trail or determined to keep up with your grandkids, we’re here to keep you moving, independent and doing the things that make life fun.
What we believe
01
Mobility is freedom
When your knees, hips and shoulders work, you get to choose your life instead of having your body choose it for you.
02
Adventure has no expiration date
Mid-30s or mid-80s: hiking, cycling, dancing, gardening, traveling. Whatever lights you up, we help you keep doing it.
03
Conservative care works
Most joint pain gets better with smart rehab, movement and time. Not needles, not pills, not someone cutting you open.
04
Independence matters
Getting up without help. Carrying your own groceries. We help you get there, and we make it stick.
Compassionate care
Care shaped around you
It starts with listening. We take time to understand your pain, your goals and how you want to live, then design a personalized, non-surgical plan to help you get back in motion.
01
We listen first.
We take time to understand your pain, your goals and how you want to live before we build your plan.
02
We explain. Day one.
Your joint structure, your movement pattern, why you hurt and exactly what we’re fixing. You leave informed, not mystified.
03
We fix it completely.
Decompression, chiropractic care, custom exercises and tissue healing work together as one system, aimed at the root cause.
04
You learn to manage it yourself.
Home care and exercises you understand, so results last because you maintain them. Maintenance visits are optional, never required.
Honest guidance and appropriate referrals
Earned credibility, one patient at a time
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.
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.
Recognized in Novato
Marin Joint Health was named a Best of 2026 winner by BusinessRate.
Our values
What we stand for
These values are not wall art. They shape every plan, every visit and the honest conversations we have with you about your knee.
01
Care with compassion
You deserve to feel heard, supported and truly cared for. You’re a person with goals, not a case or a knee.
02
Patient-first guidance
Honest advice and plans that respect your goals, not ours. Every decision comes back to your outcome and your independence.
03
Conservative care, real solutions
Healing without surgery, pills or dependency. We treat the cause instead of masking the symptom.
04
Transparency and honesty
Clear answers about what’s wrong, what we’ll do and what to expect. No jargon, no overselling, no miracle-cure promises.
05
Integrity over easy
We do the right thing even when it costs us. We only take on patients we believe we can actually help.
06
Driven by outcomes
We pair proven technology with evidence-based care, measure your progress and aim for results that truly last.
Our team
Meet your care team
Your care is led by Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC and a dedicated care team focused on getting you moving without pain.
Inside the clinic
Visit us in Novato
Hands-on care and the technology behind your plan, all under one roof, with a team that takes the time to explain every step.
Patient reviews
Finally explained. In their own words.
Read what patients have shared about their care.
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I was very skeptical, at first, about Marin Joint Health due to my unsuccessful search for treatment for my prolonged severe amount of pain. Having just completed two months of treatment, I am a true believer! Dr. Scharf for her comprehensive diagnosis and Dr. Jay for his incredible hands-on physical therapy, as well as Gabby for being an excellent technician, have made my treatments successful…
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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.
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I highly recommend Marin Joint Health. I have had some really great results working with Dr. Scharf and her incredible team. In my experience, all the staff are confident, knowledgeable, easy to deal with, and very cheerful. Thank you.
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Having my knee treated at Marin Joint Health is one of the best decisions I've ever made. My knee pain is gone and I'm walking again easily and enjoying it. Thank you Dr. Sara Scharf, you are amazing.
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Marin Joint Health has helped me find relief from the discomfort of neuropathy. Dr Sharf and her excellent staff care about their patients well being. Treatment plan includes full body adjustment to ensure sustained spinal health.
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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!
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This medical team is 100% dedicated to healing patients. Their approach is holistic and delivered with utmost care and “sweet” loving words. I hope to dance flamenco soon in their honor!
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Love the fact that everyone here are with a positive attitude and always smiling. The attention that they give you its amazing. I definitely recommend everyone .
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Awesome place to come in and receive chiropractic care. My first neck adjustment made me feel so much better. Dr Scarf DC is a pro!!!
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I have found the staff knowledgeable, caring, and more than willing to explain and answer questions. I am excited to be treated with researched alternative therapies instead of surgery.
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Dr. Scharf is the best! Every experience is unique and amazing. She is always in tune with me, and I feel blessed to be under her care.
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My rate for them is 5 stars also. I recommended so much because in the first 3 visits I have no pain in my knees, The staff is very helpful and very professional.
Individual results vary.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Call us and we’ll explain exactly how we can help.
Dr. Sarah Scharf, DC, founded Marin Joint Health in Novato, CA. She has practiced chiropractic and integrative care since 2006 and built the clinic around one idea: explain why you hurt, fix the root cause without surgery, and teach you how to stay ahead of it.
We help active people stay active. Whether you want to hike, travel, play with your grandkids or simply get up without help, we help you keep moving and stay independent, through conservative chiropractic care.
We explain first. On day one you learn your joint structure, your movement pattern and why you hurt. Then we treat the cause with a complete plan, not isolated treatments, and give you a home program so your results last without depending on us.
If conservative care isn’t the right fit, we tell you and refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Yes. If we don’t believe we can help you conservatively, we tell you before you commit to anything and refer you to the right specialist. We only want to treat patients we can actually help.
Our clinic is in Novato, CA. We see adults of all ages, from people in their 30s training for a race to people in their 80s who want to stay independent, and we welcome patients from across Marin and Sonoma Counties.
Your first visit
Finally understand why you hurt.
Book your day-one exam. We’ll explain what’s going on and tell you honestly whether we can help.