Skip to main content

Break Free from Pain – Personalized
Solutions to Get You Moving Again!

Innovative treatments for pain relief, faster recovery, and improved mobility – WITHOUT SURGERY.

What We Treat

Knee Pain

Back Pain

Shoulder Pain

Neck Pain

Hip Pain

Wrist Pain

Elbow Pain

Foot and Ankle Pain

Hand and Finger Pain

Hip Flexor and Groin Pain

Chronic Joint Pain

Tendon Injuries

Tendinitis

Frozen Shoulder

Nerve Entrapment

Soft Tissue Injuries

Sports Injuries

Treatment Options

Hydrodissection

  • Release trapped nerves and reduce pain with this precise, minimally invasive procedure.
  • Benefits: Improved mobility and pain-free motion.
  • Ideal for: Nerve impingement, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, sciatic nerve pain, neuropathic pain, post-traumatic nerve pain, post-surgical nerve pain, frozen shoulder
LEARN MORE

Shockwave Therapy

  • Deliver targeted, high-energy sound waves to accelerate healing and reduce chronic pain.
  • Ideal for: Plantar fasciitis, Tendonitis (Achilles, rotator cuff, or patellar), Chronic joint pain, Muscle trigger points
LEARN MORE

Medical Massage Therapy

  • Tailored therapeutic techniques to address pain, improve mobility, and promote recovery.
  • Ideal for: Chronic pain conditions (e.g., back, neck, or shoulder pain), Sports injuries, Post-surgical recovery, Stress-related muscle tightness
LEARN MORE

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Pain

  • Advanced therapies designed to alleviate pain and restore function without surgery.
  • Benefits: Minimally invasive with little to no downtime, targets the root cause of pain for long-term relief, avoids risks associated with surgery or opioids.
  • Ideal for: Chronic joint pain (knees, hips, shoulders), Musculoskeletal conditions (tendons, ligaments, and nerves), Sports injuries and overuse conditions.
LEARN MORE

Why Choose Us?

  • Experienced, board-certified specialists.
  • Non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques.
  • Personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs.
  • State-of-the-art technology for faster recovery.
  • Fast recovery times
  • Avoid surgery

In patients with chronic knee pain after knee replacement surgery, hydrodissection of the saphenous nerve led to significant pain relief in 75% of participants, as measured by visual pain scales. The baseline pain of 8 out of 10 decreased to less than 4 after treatment.

Detailed overview of hydrodissection’s success in treating various nerve-related pain conditions, including chronic knee and neuropathic pain.

LEARN MORE

Take the First Step to a
Pain-Free Life!

Book Your Consultation Now!

What our patients are saying...

Dr How is amazing! His knowledge of anatomy and his skills with the ultrasound are top notch. He spent a lot of time asking me about my sports injuries and how they were impacting my life. Then he really customized the treatment for what I needed. He walked me through everything he was doing so I felt totally at ease. The treatments have really helped. I will definitely be going to him again for further treatment.

Ryan L.

Dr. How is an excellent doctor. The staff was very kind and they helped me reduce my sciatic pain significantly. What a wonderful clinic.

S.

Dr. How took great care in accurately diagnosing the cause of my shoulder pain. I was pleasantly surprised with his diligence and the time he spent with me. I would recommend you visit Dr. How and his lovely staff.

Jim O.

Dr. How compassionately listened to all my issues. He is very educated. I have never felt so secure in a physician helping me. I have suffered daily with awful pain & after one treatment with him, my life is changing all for the better in terms of greatly diminished pain and a hopeful attitude where I had none.

Sandi S.

Very impressed with the level of expertise with Dr. How and his staff we are correcting a 6 year condition of myofascial pain syndrome and nerve entrapments in my neck and upper back and arm. Very impressed with the relief I have gotten in just a few sessions

Bart B.

Thank you so much for tending to my knee problem. Dr. How you and the entire staff provided me with excellent and professional care. It was a very pleasant experience, except the needle part. I have confidence my knee will improve. Thank you again for the great attention and service.😊

Christine S.

Dr how is incredible! Super knowledgeable, take away my discomfort of my pinch nerve. So glad I found him

Marjoie D.

Doctor How’s exploration analysis of my knee problem was very useful. He was clearly interested and helping me solve my problem.

Kemp C.

I've seen Dr How 3 times. Working to get relief from nerve pain soon.

Mark N.

I just had my first visit with Dr. How and I’m looking forward to working with him to get my back feeling better again! I appreciate how he listened to my concerns, then reassured me that he can help me to achieve my goals. My wife has also been working with Dr. How and has already benefited from his treatments. We have recommended him to a few of our friends!

John T.

Dr. How changed my life. That's not an exaggeration. Prior to seeing Dr. How for the first time, I was in so much pain I could barely walk. I have torn tendons in my gluteus, bursitis as well as something (I don't know what) going on with my sciatica. I couldn't participate in the activities that I enjoy, like pickleball, without being in excruciating pain during and after. I was taking 4 Advil and 3 Tylenol every 5 or so hours a day for 3 weeks and constantly icing my body. I had seen 4 orthopedic surgeons and 3 chiropractors all of whom told me there was nothing that could be done, except steroid injects, which only provide temporary relief and are terrible for the body.

Laila K.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can pain management techniques help alleviate back pain?

Our pain management techniques for back pain are comprehensive and personalized for each patient. Our skilled providers use a personalized approach that incorporates various modalities, including various injections. Providers use these modalities simultaneously with one another to help alleviate your pain and improve your overall well-being.

Are there non-surgical options available for pain management?

Absolutely! Our pain management doctors believe in offering effective non-surgical options for pain management. We also aim to decrease our patient’s dependence on anti inflammatory medication. Many of our patients suffer from chronic pain, spinal stenosis and various sports injuries. Surgery is often presented to them as the only option for treatment.

As soon as you step through our doors, you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation by one of our pain management doctors. They will tailor treatment plans to your unique needs and goals. With your provider, you will explore treatment options such as various injections, massage therapy and acupuncture.

Side effects and recovery time for these treatment options are minimal to none. Many patients are able to return to their normal life as soon as they leave the office.

What are some specific conditions that you treat?

  • Pinched Nerves
  • Tendonitis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Join Pain
  • Myofascial Pain Syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Tendon injuries
  • Ligament injuries
  • Muscle Tears or Strains
  • Cartilage Damage
  • Non-healing Wounds
  • Soft Tissue Injury
  • Chronic back pain
  • Sports Injuries
  • Posture Related Issues

What are 4 key points in pain management? How are they implemented at The How Clinic Encinitas?

  • Assessment: During your initial evaluation, a thorough assessment of your pain is performed. It is crucial for our providers to understand its nature, intensity, location, and impact on daily functioning. The assessment involves using pain scales, interviews, medical history review, and musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound.
  • Multimodal Approach: Pain management often requires a multimodal approach, combining various interventions to achieve optimal results. Together with one of our pain management specialists, a variety of treatment options will be presented and discussed. Interventions can include but are not limited to minimally invasive nerve hydrodissection injections, acupuncture, massage therapy, and more.
  • Individualization: Everyone experiences pain differently, and treatment plans discussed at our clinic consider factors such as the patient’s age, medical history, underlying conditions, lifestyle, and goals. Tailoring the approach to each of our patients helps optimize pain relief while minimizing potential side effects or complications.
  • Regular Monitoring and Adjustments: Pain management is an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring and adjustments as needed. We follow-up with all of our patients to assess the effectiveness of the treatment plan, identify any changes in pain intensity or quality, and make appropriate modifications. Monitoring may involve tracking pain levels, functionality, side effects, and quality of life. Adjustments to the treatment plan may include additional therapies, or referral to specialists when necessary.

What is joint pain?

Joint pain is a general term that includes any discomfort you experience in one or more of your joints. Joints are vital connections in your body where bones meet, supported by ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage, and nerves for proper function. Any injury or disease that affects the many components that make up your joints may result in pain.

At The How Clinic, we specialize in providing comprehensive care for individuals leading high-stress lives. Emergency room doctors, nurses, first responders, military personnel, and athletes are some of these individuals. Their occupation and lifestyles place them at an elevated risk of joint pain. This can potentially have significant impacts on various aspects of their lives.

If you’re seeking joint pain relief near you, The How Clinic specializes in providing the necessary resources to alleviate your pain. We aim to restore joint function so you can get back to work and your active lifestyle.

What are the common causes of joint pain?

You can develop joint pain from many causes. Some of the most common medical conditions include:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Tendinitis
  • Bursitis
  • Sprains and strains
  • Pinched nerves
  • Shoulder Pain Treatment
  • Tendon Injury
  • Treatment for Tendonitis and Bursitis
  • Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
  • Torn Tendons and Ligament
  • Auto Injuries
  • Muscle And Tendon Sprain and Strain
  • Muscle Pain
  • Muscle Strains from Sports and Other Injuries
  • Musculoskeletal Disorder
  • Musculoskeletal Injury
  • Musculoskeletal Pain
  • Other Pains Involving Bone, Joints or Tendons
  • Knee Cartilage Lesions
  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Dislocation
  • Ligament tear
  • Rotator cuff tear
  • AC Joint and Tendon Tears Treatment
  • Separated shoulder
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Elbow Pain
  • Knee Injury
  • Knee Pain
  • Meniscus Tears in the Knee
  • Back Pain
  • Sacroiliac (Si) Joint Dysfunction
  • Sacroiliitis / Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Dysfunction
  • Spine Pain
  • Hip Injury
  • Hip impingement
  • Hip Pain
  • Lower Back Pain and Spinal Pain

These causes may develop after an acute injury or from overuse. In many cases, the chronic pain experienced by an individual is a result of a combination of several of these factors. Your joint pain affects not only your physical health but may also affect your emotional and financial health.

How is joint pain treated?

Dr. John How at The How Clinic in Encinitas, CA dedicates himself to offering innovative joint pain treatments near you. We will help you find alternatives to surgical treatment.

It all starts with listening to your story and examining you. Dr. How and his team will also use modern ultrasound imaging to safely view the structures in and around your joint. He will identify the source of your pain and perform targeted interventions to reduce pain and for pain management.

These interventions may include:

  • Alleviation of pressure on pinched nerves
  • Release of stuck muscles, nerves and connective tissue
  • Removal of fluid from inside the joint

What are pinched nerves?

Pinched nerves occur from excess pressure or compression from surrounding tissue on the nerve. The pressure affects normal nerve function, which may alter sensation and muscle movement.

You can develop a pinched nerve in many parts of your body. Some of the most common conditions resulting from a pinched nerve include:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sciatica
  • Cervical radiculopathy
  • Lumbar Radiculopathy
  • Herniated Discs
  • Bone spurs
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Neck pain

You may develop a pinched nerve after an injury, from repeated use, or a herniated disc. Your medical history may also increase your risk of developing a pinched nerve, such as a history of obesity or diabetes.

How do I know if my nerve is pinched?

Your pinched nerve symptoms may vary depending on the nerve and body part affected. Common symptoms include:

  • Pain, burning, or tingling sensation
  • Electric shock-like shooting pain
  • Muscle weakness
  • Poor muscle coordination
  • Symptoms that radiate to the extremities
  • Frequent “pins and needles” sensation

In most cases, pinched nerve symptoms resolve within a few days or a few weeks with at-home care. However, contact The How Clinic for an evaluation if your symptoms are severe, prolonged or affect your daily life.

At our private medical practice, we treat patients who strain their bodies, either from stressful jobs or active lives. We prioritize treatment options that support body function, mobility, and resilience for continued work and enjoyment.

What triggers a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve happens when excessive pressure is exerted on a nerve by surrounding tissues, which can include bone, cartilage (like a herniated disk), muscles, or tendons. Repetitive motions can also irritate the nerve.

What can I expect during a pinched nerve evaluation?

You can expect a comprehensive evaluation when you come to The How Clinic for a pinched nerve evaluation. During the exam, your provider reviews your symptoms, daily activities, and the effect your symptoms have on your life.

To better understand the underlying cause of your pinched nerve, your provider performs a musculoskeletal ultrasound.

How are pinched nerves treated?

After your comprehensive musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound, one of our specialists will use the images to plan treatment for your pinched nerve. One such possible treatment includes ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection injections or trigger point injections. These minimally invasive injections use a solution to create space between tissues. They can help reduce adhesions, facilitate the dissection process, and provide pain relief.

Book an appointment online with one of our pinched nerve doctors near you today to get relief from your pinched nerves!

How can headaches be treated at The How Clinic?

Our clinic offers two different treatments for headaches which include hydrodissection and sphenopalatine block. Hydrodissection is an innovative technique involving the use of a sterile solution to separate nerves and tissues in the neck and head, which can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. The sphenopalatine block is a safe, quick, and effective procedure that involves the numbing of a group of nerves that lie deep within the face and are known to be involved in headaches. This minimally invasive procedure involves an intranasal local anesthetic injection where it gently lies on the tissues of the nerves, which results in reduced headaches.

What is the main cause of arthritis?

Joint inflammation is the main cause of arthritis. Common causes include age-related wear and tear, autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis), joint injuries, infections, or genetics.

What are some common types?

The different forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. They each have specific causes associated with them.

What are 5 symptoms of arthritis?

Signs and symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the type of arthritis. They include:

  • Painful joint.
  • Stiffness.
  • Swelling.
  • Redness.
  • Decreased range of motion.

How is arthritis treated?

Visit the How Clinic Encinitas and experience personalized holistic treatment for arthritis and joint inflammation. We aim to decrease our patients’ dependence on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

Our skilled naturopathic doctors provide consultations focused on lifestyle changes. They include weight loss, a healthy diet, and stress reduction techniques, to help manage arthritis symptoms effectively.

Additionally, we offer a range of advanced joint injections, such as hydrodissections and hyaluronic acid joint injections. They are effective long term joint inflammation treatments because they reduce pain, and improve joint function over time. Take the first step towards pain relief. Contact us today for a consultation!

What foods should be avoided?

A wide range of foods including sweets, dairy and gluten can help minimize symptoms. Our experienced naturopath can provide valuable insights on which specific foods to avoid for optimal management. Schedule an appointment today to take control of your health and discover a personalized diet plan that supports your well-being.

What types of injuries does your clinic evaluate and treat?

  • Sports Injuries: Our clinic utilizes hydrodissection and other non-surgical treatments to effectively treat sports-related injuries. Many of our patients come in with sprains, strains, ligament tears, tendonitis, and muscle injuries.
  • Auto accident injury: Our clinic evaluates patients who suffer from a range of chronic pain after a car accident injury. They include chronic neck pain, chronic back pain, chronic shoulder pain, chronic arm pain, and chronic leg pain.
  • Joint Injuries: Experience the benefits of hydrodissection techniques for treating joint injuries. Our specialized approach targets knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, and wrist injuries effectively. These treatments can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function.
  • Tendon Injuries: Unlock the potential for healing and restoration of tendon strength and flexibility. Hydrodissection offers effective treatment for conditions like tendonitis and tendon tears.
  • Ligament Injuries: Hydrodissection can be effective in the treatment of ligament injuries, including partial tears or strains. This technique can help to accelerate healing and enhance the stability of the affected ligaments.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries: Harness the power of hydrodissection to target and treat a wide range of soft tissue injuries. From muscle strains to fascial adhesions and scar tissue buildup, our specialized approach offers effective relief.

How long do injuries take to heal?

Patients often recover from minor injuries within a span of a few days to a few weeks. These types of injuries are typically strains or sprains. More severe injuries, such as fractures or ligament tears, may take several weeks or even months to fully heal. Services at our clinic, such as hydrodissection and other non-surgical treatments, can help speed up the healing process.

Get in touch

"*" indicates required fields

Please use this form for general information purposes only. DO NOT send personal health information through this form. Specific patient care must be addressed during your appointment.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Company Business Hours Tuesday to Thursday 9:00am – 5:00pm.

  • Don't Let Chronic Pain Hold You Back - Break Free From Pain Today!

    Book Your Consultation
  • Don't Let Chronic Pain Hold You Back - Break Free From Pain Today!

    Book Your Consultation
  • Skip to content