Skip to Main Content

Julian Motzkin

MD PhD

Pain medicine physician and neurologist
Freestyle skier, musician and brain imaging researcher

About me

Dr. Julian Motzkin is a neurologist who cares for patients with a variety of pain conditions. He has special interests in head and face pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia), back and pelvis pain, neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome (chronic pain in an extremity, such as an arm or leg, following an injury or other event). He considers each patient's unique needs to generate personalized and comprehensive pain management plans that typically integrate physical therapy, psychological therapy, medication recommendations and procedures. He has expertise in using advanced imaging techniques to perform a broad range of interventional pain procedures, particularly neuromodulation (stimulating nerves to interrupt pain signals) as well as injections for head and face pain.

Motzkin's research focuses on understanding individual differences in brain organization that can lead to chronic pain. He works closely with his colleagues in psychiatry, radiology, neurosurgery, neurology and anesthesia to develop new, personalized treatments for brain disorders. His goal is to develop precision medicine tools for noninvasive brain stimulation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (a technique for assessing brain activity). He is currently leading a study of transcranial magnetic stimulation (or TMS) for hard-to-treat chronic neuropathic pain conditions, combining brain imaging of pain circuits with targeted noninvasive brain stimulation to better understand how this technique can relieve pain.

Motzkin earned his medical degree and doctorate in neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin – Madison through its medical science training program. He completed a residency in neurology and a fellowship in pain medicine at UCSF.

Motzkin is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Society of Anesthesiologists, International Neuromodulation Society and North American Neuromodulation Society.

  • Education

    University of Wisconsin – Madison, MD, 2016

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Neurology, 2020

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Pain Medicine, 2021

  • Academic Title

    Assistant Professor

My work is guided by the belief that appreciating the uniquely individual aspects of pain can lead to profound breakthroughs in treatment.

Where I see patients (4)

    My reviews

    5.0

    Overall Experience
    131 Ratings
    About our process
    Sep 20, 2024
    Dr Motzkin is simply the best Neurologist I have had at the UCSF pain mgt clinic. While they are all good, he is exceptional
    Sep 18, 2024
    Dr Motzkin is excellent
    Aug 26, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin is thorough and attentive. That's why he always runs late! He never makes you feel rushed or insignificant!
    Aug 22, 2024
    I am beyond thankful for the care provided by Dr Motzkin. I have seen over 50 practitioners and Dr Motzkin is at the top of the list - which is certainly reflective of how I view UCSF
    Jun 16, 2024
    Dr Motzkin is the best!
    Jun 14, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin is the best! He is kind, compassionate and intelligent. He listens and explains all options! He never ever makes you feel rushed or that your problems/concerns are unimportant.
    Jun 05, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin was exceptional. He was thorough and an active listener.
    Apr 25, 2024
    Dr. Motzkin is wonderful. He has been an enormous help to me.
    Apr 14, 2024
    Dr. Motizkin is one of the kindest, most caring, and professional doctors I know. He takes time to explain complex issues to me. He has dramatically improved the quality of my life. He listens, he understands, and most importantly he empathizes with the crazy amount of pain I suffer. I will follow him anywhere he goes as he is my favorite doctor
    Apr 14, 2024
    Dr Motzkin was very kind and helpful !
    Mar 08, 2024
    I was explained everything to the Ten. My experiences with all the team was wonderful..
    Feb 25, 2024
    Dr Motskin was very attentive and showed concern and care. Explained matters well and the procedure went well

    Selected research

    Decorative Caduceus

    Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Chronic Neuropathic Pain

    Change in visual analog scores (VAS) of pain intensity on 0-100 mm scale. 0 indicates no pain, 100 indicates most pain imaginable.

    Recruiting

    Share