Christopher R. Abrecht

Dr. Christopher R. Abrecht is a pain medicine specialist and an anesthesiologist. He focuses on improving the quality of life and physical function of patients with chronic pain. Recognizing that every patient is unique, he individualizes care plans that may include medication management; injections; and integration with physical therapy, pain psychology and complementary therapies. He also offers advanced procedural interventions for lumbar spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the lower back’s spinal canal that compresses nerves) and a variety of other conditions.

In the UCSF Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, Abrecht directs chronic pain services and serves as quality improvement subspecialty director for pain medicine.

Abrecht's research focuses on improving the practice of pain medicine. This includes tracking outcomes that matter to patients and ensuring that patient safety remains a priority.

Abrecht earned his medical degree from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He completed a residency in anesthesiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. He completed a fellowship in pain medicine at UCSF.