Peter I-Kung Wu

MD PhD

Physical medicine and pain medicine specialist

Dr. Peter I-Kung Wu is a specialist in pain medicine and physical medicine, a field that focuses on improving or restoring physical function. He cares for patients with chronic back, neck and other kinds of musculoskeletal pain. Using ultrasound and X-ray technologies, he performs image-guided injections to alleviate pain. He further applies regenerative therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma, which involves injecting a concentrated sample of the patient's own platelets (blood factors involved in healing) to accelerate the repair of musculoskeletal tissues.

In research, Wu is interested in studying the relationship between spine mechanics and low back pain. Other interests include studying outcomes for patients who receive minimally invasive spine treatments and developing new therapies for back pain and other musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Wu earned his doctorate degree in mechanical and medical engineering at a joint program of Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. He completed a fellowship in pain medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, also a Harvard affiliate.

  • Education

    Harvard Medical School/ Massachusetts Institute of Technology, PhD, Mechanical and Medical Engineering, 2008

    Stanford University School of Medicine, 2013

  • Residencies

    Harvard Medical School, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2017

  • Fellowships

    Harvard Medical School, Pain Medicine, 2018

  • Board Certifications

    Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Where I see patients (4)

    My reviews

    4.7

    Overall Experience
    376 Ratings
    About our process
    Nov 04, 2023
    Really appreciated the follow up call regarding my concerns about a severe reaction to contrast dye. Dr. Wu listened and took the time to follow up.
    Oct 15, 2023
    Did not have complete tx plan. Held up by insurance review as to coverage.
    Oct 13, 2023
    Insurance is denying treatment this doctor recommended but I'm being asked to take the burden of battling the Insurance company or paying for more treatment unnecessarily. I did not feel advocated for.
    Oct 06, 2023
    He is a great doctor
    Sep 19, 2023
    I felt like I had to ask lots of questions to find out how the follow-up steps informed each other.
    Sep 08, 2023
    Great communicator great "bedside manner" skills
    Sep 08, 2023
    Dr Wu is very patient and compassionate. I'm very grateful he is assigned as my care provider. I feel I can trust him unlike so many care providers in the past.
    Sep 02, 2023
    I had supplied an MRI. While in the room it was the first time he had looked at the MRI I believe he should have assessed before the visit. I thought that was not very professional.
    Sep 01, 2023
    I have already recommended him to my physical therapist. Dr Wu is without a doubt one of the most caring communicative well informed thorough and open minded doctors I have ever seen and and I have seen many! He is an exemplar for the medical profession of what is means to be a true and implicit healer!
    Aug 14, 2023
    Dr Wu is the best physiatrist I have seen. He is working his way through his differential diagnosis which is quite comprehensive.
    Aug 12, 2023
    My experience with Dr. Wu was excellent. His bedside manner is outstanding he is very respectful and informative.
    Aug 03, 2023
    My problems are complex. I think they did there best.
    Jul 21, 2023
    Dr. Wu is well trained experienced and gives me confidence in his care.
    Jul 07, 2023
    My doctor was late then asked why I even had an appointment (it was a follow-up appointment). When I explained to him that I made an additional appointment (in the future) with another UCSF doctor for a spinal injection he asked why I didn't make it with him (according to the scheduler - my doctor was unavailable until late August). Then I asked why I needed to have someone take me home after the injection and he said that it was standard procedure to be lightly sedated for the spinal injection but then said that I didn't need to be sedated if I didn't want to be. This was very confusing and I didn't receive much insight as to what I should do. The entire follow-up appointment was very confusing and to be honest a waste of my time. It did not feel like the doctor was at all prepared for my appointment and only looked at my chart when he actually was in front of me.
    Jul 03, 2023
    I asked "how will this diagnosis affect my life?" And "how does this diagnosis affect my other disabling conditions?" I didn't receive an answer to either . The doctor did recommend treatment which I will try. But I wish doctors could better understand how these things interact.
    Jun 28, 2023
    Dr Wu is extremely knowledgeable- has a thorough differential diagnosis and has a well organized plan to work through the possibilities. I could not be more fortunate than to find him to be my doctor for my debilitating condition. I have hope!
    Jun 23, 2023
    Dr. Wu Great DOCTOR THANK YOU FOR Caring.
    Jun 01, 2023
    I was not happy when the procedure was over my leg turned numb to the point that I could not drive or really even walk very well. When I called for Dr. Wu to come back he told me that this was to be expected and I shouldn't worry about it.The problem is that I needed to drive home and that I would have not driven myself had I known I would have to wait some time before driving. This is something that would've been very useful to me to know beforehand.
    May 27, 2023
    Excellent provider.
    May 25, 2023
    Dr. Wu is excellent. I felt comfortable asking any questions I had and he listened carefully to my responses and never hurried me along.
    May 20, 2023
    We were successful with the treatment we used
    May 19, 2023
    Dr. Wu looked exhausted. He communicated clearly and his comments were thorough but he is not warm and I ended up feeling like he was annoyed with me.
    May 12, 2023
    I could not be more happy with the medical attention I received from UCSF
    May 12, 2023
    Dr. Wu is very helpful His concerns are the same as mine. Hopefully we can get my Issue resolved.
    Apr 29, 2023
    Thank you Dr. I-Kung Wu!
    Apr 22, 2023
    Dr. Wu was most helpful and a good listener
    Apr 17, 2023
    I was just another peace of meat
    Apr 11, 2023
    I think dry needle treatment is an excellent idea. It marries acupuncture like treatment with Western medicine. I love Dr. Wu.
    Apr 09, 2023
    The doctor was in a hurry he didn't sit down he was not relaxed. I've been in pain for a year and it was just disappointing that the poor guy was so harried. He didn't show me anything on my mri. I left feeling confused and wondering if I needed a second opinion
    Mar 25, 2023
    Dr. Wu is personable and has provided good treatment thus far but I would appreciate it if he were better prepared for my appointments (e.g. Reading my chart & being familiar with my case before entering the room) and more hands-on with assessment.
    Mar 22, 2023
    Dr Wu was great once we saw him. I still have not received the follow up order that I need however 24 hours after our appointment.
    Mar 22, 2023
    I requested to be transfered out to a different provider ive stuck with this provider for more than a year now no progress
    Mar 16, 2023
    Felt comfortable.
    Mar 05, 2023
    Ithank my provider from the bottom of my heart for being there for me and helping me with my issues
    Mar 02, 2023
    It's very good experience to have doctor Wu to stop my pain.
    Feb 24, 2023
    Dr. Wu is always kind and considerate!
    Feb 23, 2023
    Excellent!
    Dec 23, 2022
    Dr. Wu is a very kind and attentive doctor who lis very caring.
    Dec 22, 2022
    One of my favorite doctors!
    Dec 19, 2022
    Dr. Wu was very good about responding to my questions. But I felt like I was doing most of the work getting information out of him whereas he could have explained more on his own about my conditions and treatment options.
    Dec 11, 2022
    The doctor is very carefully land detailed.
    Dec 05, 2022
    Clear and thoughtful.
    Dec 03, 2022
    The provider recommended physical therapy. However he did not send the physical therapy order to anyone so that they could give it to me. I still do not have the PT order and so cannot schedule an appointment to start the physical therapy treatment. I am very upset about this.
    Dec 02, 2022
    Love my Dr. He is amazing! He informs me of every detail of my medicalSituation.
    Nov 30, 2022
    Impressed with UCSF health
    Nov 24, 2022
    He's a good doctor and has a great bedside manner.
    Nov 23, 2022
    Extremely thorough. Listened carefully & excellent technique for injection
    Nov 20, 2022
    I'd appreciate more active listening and a better explanation of test results and treatment procedures.
    Nov 19, 2022
    He is very patient and caring.
    Nov 19, 2022
    Dr. Wu was very thorough in his examination as well as his explanations. I really appreciated the time he took in explaining what was happening as well as the treatments available. Much more than very good I would have to say excellent care.
    Nov 10, 2022
    My provider cares to the upmost and makes me feelimportant thank youa whole bunch.
    Oct 30, 2022
    Dr Wu has always provided respectful knowledgeable care and excellent follow through
    Oct 28, 2022
    Dr. Wu patiently answered all of my questions.
    Oct 28, 2022
    I do not have a complete understanding of what the medical issues and options for solution are. I do not feel that I am in partnership with the doctor about dealign with the pain and issues that are limiting my situation.
    Oct 21, 2022
    Dr. Wu was great. Asked a lot of questions and showed genuine concern.
    Oct 04, 2022
    Dr. Wu is an excellent doctor.
    Sep 30, 2022
    Dr; Wu is clearly very knowledgeable and was concerned about my problem. He recommended a viable path forward for my treatment. This is the best hope I have had in several years!
    Sep 29, 2022
    Dr. Wu is very knowledgeable and consistently courteous but he lacks (or doesn't express) compassion and fails to provide sufficient guidance regarding non-pharmacological interventions (i.e. physical therapy-when where and what type) that might be beneficial. He was a solid hour late for my appointment and didn't offer a word of explanation or apology though in fairness he did excuse himself politely when a nurse called him out of the room to deal with something evidently pressing.
    Sep 02, 2022
    Dr.Wu was able to meet with me at 5:00PM which works for me as my work day was done at that point I hope he didn't stay over to meet with me. He was very patient and informative and listened to my concerns.
    Aug 30, 2022
    Dr. Wu allayed all my concerns with my upcoming needs.
    Jun 15, 2022
    Good
    May 27, 2022
    I cannot say enough about the outstanding and professional quality of care that Dr. Wu provides.
    May 26, 2022
    Very good experience All patients needs is the doctor listen carefully and have some care and compassion I recommend doctor Wu to my friends
    May 24, 2022
    Excellent experience!
    May 07, 2022
    I had an excellent experience. Dr. Wu is very thorough.
    Apr 23, 2022
    I wish I was given more of an understanding before leaving of my post procedure after care. Getting a bunch of pieces of paper to read through didn't really help. I actually had some odd symptoms and pain but then had no one to reach. It wasn't severe enough to call 911 of course but I wish I had a nurse or someone to have walked through what maybe I was to expect after getting the procedure. In other words the follow up and after care could be better. Perhaps the doctors do these procedures all day long but many of us have no idea what to expect. If I had someone to talk to after or even a phone number that I could rely on to call back to say hey I'm feeling a little sore here I'm feeling a little speedy from the medication over here that would've been great customer service. And I honestly expect that from UCSF. But I basically was showing the door and that was it. Everyone was nice but I didn't feel as cared for as I wish it I have been.
    Apr 03, 2022
    Showed proper care for me
    Mar 25, 2022
    Dr. Wu isn't necessarily the most personable or overtly empathic of physicians but he's perfectly polite and appropriate.
    Mar 11, 2022
    My care has been outstanding with Dr.wu and I appreciate his level of care and concern for my health. Thank you
    Mar 03, 2022
    MD excellent

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